How much does ethanol lower MPG?
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Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
How much does ethanol lower MPG?
I read this the other day in the WSJ:
Ethanol's Lower MPG And Energy Outputffice
“BP PLC's chief scientist says that the average gallon of ethanol lowers carbon emissions by 18% compared with gasoline ("A Fuel Gold Rush Fires Up," Politics & Economics, May 12). What he fails to mention is that ethanol gets about 18% lower mileage than gasoline, thus neutralizing ethanol's advantage on a per-mile basis. Since ethanol's heat of combustion is much lower than gasoline, its energy output is also lower than gasoline.”
Now, I have no other proof that ethanol lowers MPG except my personal driving. When I was buying gas at my local statio here in Virginia Beach, I got around 34-36 MPG. Now that I buy my gas in Petersburg (where there is no ethanol in it), I am getting much better mileage- about 39 (18% of 39 is about 7, so my numbers are a little better than what was reported). I'm not here to argue about the effects of ethanol on the economy; it has its advantages. Except for the fact that I spend more money on ethanol gas than I do on non-ethanol, and if I remember correctly, ethanol fuel was supposed to lower the cost a little, which would have offset the diffeence in the mileage. Of course, the price didn't go down. Now, I am getting ready to take a road trip and want to know if there is any way to find out where to buy gasoline that is not ethanol laced. Does anyone know of a website that might help?
Ethanol's Lower MPG And Energy Outputffice
“BP PLC's chief scientist says that the average gallon of ethanol lowers carbon emissions by 18% compared with gasoline ("A Fuel Gold Rush Fires Up," Politics & Economics, May 12). What he fails to mention is that ethanol gets about 18% lower mileage than gasoline, thus neutralizing ethanol's advantage on a per-mile basis. Since ethanol's heat of combustion is much lower than gasoline, its energy output is also lower than gasoline.”
Now, I have no other proof that ethanol lowers MPG except my personal driving. When I was buying gas at my local statio here in Virginia Beach, I got around 34-36 MPG. Now that I buy my gas in Petersburg (where there is no ethanol in it), I am getting much better mileage- about 39 (18% of 39 is about 7, so my numbers are a little better than what was reported). I'm not here to argue about the effects of ethanol on the economy; it has its advantages. Except for the fact that I spend more money on ethanol gas than I do on non-ethanol, and if I remember correctly, ethanol fuel was supposed to lower the cost a little, which would have offset the diffeence in the mileage. Of course, the price didn't go down. Now, I am getting ready to take a road trip and want to know if there is any way to find out where to buy gasoline that is not ethanol laced. Does anyone know of a website that might help?
Posting Legend
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 123
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From: Yorktown, VA
I can't find a list of E10 stations, but usually once you get out of the metro areas there is no E10. Peninsula and Norfolk have it, Smithfield, Gloucester don't. Roanoke has it (I believe), while Blacksburg doesn't.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i saw a drop from 30-32mpg on the highway on regular gas to 26 mpg on the highway with E-10 in all 3 of the cars. my crown vic, my fathers crown vic, and my mothers grand marquis
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Iowa
Trying to predict mileage on ethanol is like trying to predict the weather. You can make an educated guess, but that's about it.
Some people, like me, lose no mileage going from regular to 10% ethanol gas (in a 1992 Explorer). I'm sure there are those with that same vehicle who do lose mileage. There's just too many variables. Different vehicles, different drivers, heck even the same vehicle can have different computer programs! I say test each fuel for 5-10 consecutive tank fulls, then compare results. You might repeat the test during different seasons to see if that affects it. Then, calculate how much different the price has to be to make it worth your while to buy whatever. Use math, keep a log, and take the guesswork out of it! Drive what's best for you and your wallet.
If there were simple answers, we'd all be running one fuel and nothing else.
Some people, like me, lose no mileage going from regular to 10% ethanol gas (in a 1992 Explorer). I'm sure there are those with that same vehicle who do lose mileage. There's just too many variables. Different vehicles, different drivers, heck even the same vehicle can have different computer programs! I say test each fuel for 5-10 consecutive tank fulls, then compare results. You might repeat the test during different seasons to see if that affects it. Then, calculate how much different the price has to be to make it worth your while to buy whatever. Use math, keep a log, and take the guesswork out of it! Drive what's best for you and your wallet.
If there were simple answers, we'd all be running one fuel and nothing else.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,483
Likes: 5,542
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
well, since all you have been able to buy in jersey is E10 for the past year or so, the mileage drop has been consistent. before E10 was introduced, we got 30-32 mpg regularly.
after E10, i can get no better than 26 mpg.
after E10, i can get no better than 26 mpg.
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Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
Well, I appreciate the mileage info, but I've already made my own judgement regarding E10. I lose mileage using it, plain and simple. Most of the wife's driving is around town in the H3, so the lower mpg isn't too big a deal. When we first got it, we took a trip and managed to get almost 20mpg in it (believe it or not). Now we are going to take a trip to Knoxville and I'd like to squeeze as much mileage as possible from the Hummer. I would love to know where to buy gas on the road to avoid E10 whenever possible. I Google Searched for a list, but to no avail.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 335
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From: Ames, Iowa
Look at the price per mile between the two. Here in Iowa, E10 costs less than regular gas. The mileage loss is compensated through price. I burn E85 all the time, unless it breaks the $.30 difference. Once it breaks that price difference, it costs too much to use and I switch back to E10.
My Silverado gets 13.5 mpg on E85, 16 mpg on E10, and about 17 mpg on pure 87 octane.
My Silverado gets 13.5 mpg on E85, 16 mpg on E10, and about 17 mpg on pure 87 octane.
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Posting Legend
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Read those links I posted, then these others:
http://afdcmap2.nrel.gov/locator/FindNearResult.asp -Works with IE
http://www.answers.com/topic/ethanol-fuel
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infr...e/locator.html
These locators may help with finding ethanol fuel and may have some info on what states require it like Minnesota.
That cost compensation for mileage reduction is provided by tax subsidies. Everybody is paying for you to fill your tank.
http://afdcmap2.nrel.gov/locator/FindNearResult.asp -Works with IE
http://www.answers.com/topic/ethanol-fuel
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infr...e/locator.html
These locators may help with finding ethanol fuel and may have some info on what states require it like Minnesota.
That cost compensation for mileage reduction is provided by tax subsidies. Everybody is paying for you to fill your tank.
Last edited by Torque1st; May 22, 2007 at 06:40 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Those guys that are trying to run ethenol through an engine designed for petroleum based fuel need to rethink thier strategy.
To properly run ethenal or any alcohal based fuel, IMO you have to up the compression so that it's more efficient.
I think that you need to run something like 14 or 15:1 compression on a spark ignition engine to really take advantage of alcohol fuel.
Sorry for the rant. There's a lot of stupid stuff going on right now because of EPA IMO.
To properly run ethenal or any alcohal based fuel, IMO you have to up the compression so that it's more efficient.
I think that you need to run something like 14 or 15:1 compression on a spark ignition engine to really take advantage of alcohol fuel.
Sorry for the rant. There's a lot of stupid stuff going on right now because of EPA IMO.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 6
From: Ames, Iowa
My vehicles are flex fuel. My dad runs E85 in his Cuda, as well as his Ram with no problems at all.
I agree that if you don't watch what you are doing, you will have problems, however, it can be done.
I agree that if you don't watch what you are doing, you will have problems, however, it can be done.
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