Ethanol

[Fire Extinguisher]

The new station ion front of Petal Walmart has gas with 10% Ethanol. Its a little cheaper (for now) and since I drive about 800 miles a week to work want to buy it.

Anyone know if it will hurt the engine? I drive a 12 year old Toyota pickup with about 200K miles and want to keep it and not make another note for as long as possible....(30MPG)

I know nothing (NOTHING) about mechanics and engines!

[Remington]

I think with only 10% ethanol, any engine will run it. But when you add ethanol, your gas mileage goes down. It may be E85.....not sure...but one of the blends gets you only about 75% of the gas mileage as you would get running strictly gas.

[Fire Extinguisher]

I think with only 10% ethanol, any engine will run it. But when you add ethanol, your gas mileage goes down. It may be E85.....not sure...but one of the blends gets you only about 75% of the gas mileage as you would get running strictly gas.

So it would not be cost effective to save a few cents per gallon. I did fill up there last night and will check what I get. I normally burn 6 gals a day.

[countrygirl]

I think with only 10% ethanol, any engine will run it. But when you add ethanol, your gas mileage goes down. It may be E85.....not sure...but one of the blends gets you only about 75% of the gas mileage as you would get running strictly gas.


If you can manage it, start saving as much as you can towards a car, and then when you finally have to buy one, you will not have to finance so much!

[Fire Extinguisher]

If you can manage it, start saving as much as you can towards a car, and then when you finally have to buy one, you will not have to finance so much!

That is the plan. Using retirement check to pay off other stuff now.... 6 months or so to go and debt free!

Hey I may call Dave Ramsey!

[damnyank]

I have been told ethanol's effects vary from vehicle to vehicle. Newer ones can handle it pretty well, while older ones may have poor idling/starting problems. I have read that the mileage decreases also. I believe Murphy's sells what they call E-10 (10% ethanol added). I put half a tank in my Dakota and it seems to run and start alright - but I don't know what would happen on a full tank of straight E-10? For a few cents a gallon - I wonder if it is worth having problems with my vehicle.

I also understand other gas companies are going to the E-10 formula - I think Shell was one of them!

[Remington]

If you can manage it, start saving as much as you can towards a car, and then when you finally have to buy one, you will not have to finance so much!Huh???

[Fire Extinguisher]

Huh???

I think she meant to quote me.....

[58ford]

Ethanol burns hotter than Gasoline, so it's not an ideal summer time fuel. This also causes greater wear & tear on your engine, unless you have an engine designed for the hotter fuel, such as Ford's "flex-fuel engine" which I have. It may be because the flex fuel was designed for ethanol, but I find I get better gas mileage the more ethanol is in the gas. It also cures "knocking" problems the flex-fuel seems to have with low octane gas.

[brianinms]

You don't want to run Ethanol in a 12 year old truck.

[58ford]

The law in MS doesn't require gas stations to inform customers of the amount of alcohol in their gas, (like most states do) so many of you may be burning some ethanol anyway without knowing it. Especially if you buy from stations that are not national chains.

[carsalesguy]

you don't want to burn ethanol in any vehicle that is not specified for Flex Fuel

if you do run E85, even though it burns hotter, you will get decreased fuel economy as well as decreased power. that's just the way it rolls tho........

[carsalesguy]

plus in a 12 year old truck you will probably burn the rings in the cylinders as well as probably cause some problems with the valves in the head- not to mention the breakdown of seals and gaskets from it burning hotter and not having as much lubrication to keep them soft as gasoline does.

[ynotme297]

The City of Petal started using it about 2 months ago. I drive a 2006 Canyon. It seemed to rattle a little bit at first, but now it seems fine. I did not see a decrease in gas mileage. My truck is a 5 cylinder and is pretty peppy.

[proudtobefrompetal]

carsalesguy, so i have an 03 nissan... should i stay away from the ethanol? i'm a little freaked bc i filled up about an hr ago.:ohnoes:

[Remington]

This is E10, not E85 that they are selling. E10 is supposed to run in any gas engine built since the 70's. E85 is awful and I wouldn't want a flex fuel vehicle. I would also rather burn 100% gasoline that E10, but these danged government mandates.....

[mike327]

I don't think E10 is enough to hurt anything. I also was under the impression that Alcohol burned cooler, not hotter. I know some of the drag racers want run water in the block on a alcohol car (it only runs long enough to make the pass).

[carsalesguy]

i don't think that putting it in your vehicle is going to ruin it per say, BUT-

if the owners manual says use 87 octane, that's what you should use. not 85, not 86, but 87 as a minimum.

modern engines have catalytic converters, multiple o2 sensors, solid state ignition modules, etc etc. that make a vehicle run at the optimum fuel/air mixture, as well as making sure timing is correct, that your giving off the correct emissions, etc etc etc.

when they say burning ethanol is good for the environment, that may be true- but only in an engine that is capable for using ethanol. if you burn something other than the recommended fuel for your engine, than more than likely it would seem to me that you are actually giving off more emissions, therefore making Al Gore look like he was right in all his scientific findings.

by burning that ethanol, even that little amount, my also react with the timing and issues, as it may not burn as cleanly as regular gasoline, which would cause more deposits on valves and piston heads, as well as make the engine advance or retard engine timing, thus overloading your ignition system.

i don't think a tank or 2 would hurt, but personally i would rather spend the extra 5 cents or so just for the peace of mind that i won't be putting in a $1500 engine or having to buy a whole new vehicle just because it's not worth fixing the one i got.

it's kind of like getting your transmission serviced at the quick lube vs. the dealer. i'm going to spend $50-75 more at the dealer for my transmission service, but they are using OEM fluid- whereas they are using no name brand bulk fluid at the quick lube. engine oil is one thing, since dealers use the same oil as most quick lube places. but when a transmission can cost upwards of 2500 bucks, i would stick with what the manufacturer says. they say to use said fluid or fuel, then i'm sticking with it.

[MamaTyson74]

hmmm ok I think my explorer is flex fuel. Heck I dont know what percentage ethanol I put in my truck. I just make sure its 89. I tried the premium and my truck started running like crap and its only 1 year old. I read up in the owners manual that it was designed to run off 89 gas and anything higher will cause stalling and knocking. Thank goodness I only filled up a few times with it!!

[carsalesguy]

how much cheaper is their "regular" 87 octane fuel Vs. e-10 gas?

[carsalesguy]

hmmm ok I think my explorer is flex fuel. Heck I dont know what percentage ethanol I put in my truck. I just make sure its 89. I tried the premium and my truck started running like crap and its only 1 year old. I read up in the owners manual that it was designed to run off 89 gas and anything higher will cause stalling and knocking. Thank goodness I only filled up a few times with it!!

the 4.0 found in the exploder should do fine with using 87 octane as well.

[proudtobefrompetal]

i have no idea... we're putting gas in 4 vehicles so i just use the cheapest. when i 1st got my nissan, i used the mid grade but after Katrina prices went so high I started using the cheapest. i feel like i'm abusing my car now. :smt086

[MamaTyson74]

the 4.0 found in the exploder should do fine with using 87 octane as well.
:kekeke: Funny thing is I used to call them exploders too. Reason was because my father in law owned one way back with the massive recall on tires. His actually exploded and caused him to wreck :smt009
HEY, were you at the graduation last night for Becca?

[carsalesguy]

all nissan vehicles will run on 87 octane- but the 350Z 93 for them

on the pathfinder, maxima, and v6 altima, premium fuel is recommended, but not required. i will say, tho, in a pathfinder, any less than 89 will give you crappy gas milage

[MamaTyson74]

i have no idea... we're putting gas in 4 vehicles so i just use the cheapest. when i 1st got my nissan, i used the mid grade but after Katrina prices went so high I started using the cheapest. i feel like i'm abusing my car now. :smt086
We are now spending around 125-150 a week on gas :smt105 Im starting to think I need to move to Oak Grove since thats where I work and do all my shopping!

[carsalesguy]

:kekeke: Funny thing is I used to call them exploders too. Reason was because my father in law owned one way back with the massive recall on tires. His actually exploded and caused him to wreck :smt009
HEY, were you at the graduation last night for Becca?

si si........pissed about all that, but not in this thread.

does your exploder have the BP markings on the gas cap? ford and BP like to share a few profits and stuff, so thus the yelling about 89 octane

[MamaTyson74]

si si........pissed about all that, but not in this thread.

does your exploder have the BP markings on the gas cap? ford and BP like to share a few profits and stuff, so thus the yelling about 89 octane
Yeppers got the BP markings on the gas cap.
Hey PM me about why you are all pissed.......I actually think I saw you :confused:

[carsalesguy]

Yeppers got the BP markings on the gas cap.
Hey PM me about why you are all pissed.......I actually think I saw you :confused:

i'll do that tomorrow-

[MamaTyson74]

i'll do that tomorrow-
:smt023

[Fire Extinguisher]

The Minit Mart at 42 and Herrington Rd now has a sign on the pump that says 10% ethanol.... will not go there anymore.

[pEtAl mIsFiT]

my vehicle has ran fan from the murphys gas and i have filled up 3 times there. I have a tahoe that take the flex fuel and we also burn the same in our mad max (maxima) and no problems there.
I noticed this morning the gas at murphys is 3.59 while everywhere else is like 3.73 or better....

[petalgirl00]

Lovely,I went to that gas station last week.I still have 3/4 a tank.I have a 04 Expedition. Guess I will stick to Shell or Chevron.I dont want to ruin ol girl.

[Fire Extinguisher]

I think we are about to go all BP.... between me driving to Stennis every day and the wife mail route the gas bill runs about a grand a month and they have the C card with rebates. 10% first 30 days then 2% after.

[HubDawg]

I'm confused on something. After reading up on flex fuel vehicles, why would you put 89 or 91 octane in a flex fuel vehicle? I know it is designed to handle it. But isn't the purpose of PURCHASING a flex fuel vehicle is so that you can USE E10 or anything up to E85? THink it was remington who said he has a flex fuel truck but is afraid to use E10 or any E-gas. Why?

[HubDawg]

Okay....since I can't sleep, I've been checking out info on ethanol, flex fuel, hydrogen, etc.

Kinda did this fast, so check my math.

Was trying to figure out the difference it would take for E10 to be as cost-effective as regular unleaded 87 gas.

Right now, seems like E10 is as much as 10 cents cheaper. For the benefit of this we'll say it's as high as 20 cents cheaper. If you put 10 gallons of E10 in your car at $3.59 a gallon it would cost you $35.90. Let's say your car normally gets 26 MPG on gas, but gets 10% less efficiency on the E10 and only gets 24 MPG. Your range will be 10 x 24 = 240 miles. Divide $35.90 (cost of gas) / 240 miles = 15 cents per mile.

Now, you fill up with 87 octane at $3.79 a gallon. 10 gallons will cost ya $37.90. You get your normal 26 MPG. Your range is 260 miles. Divide $37.90 / 260 miles = 14.8 cents per mile.

So even at 20 cents less per gallon, it's more cost effective to put regular unleaded in your vehicle. The breaking point would be somewhere near 25-30 cents per gallon less before it would make sense to buy E10. Someone check my math.

[Conveyor Belt]

Okay....since I can't sleep, I've been checking out info on ethanol, flex fuel, hydrogen, etc.

Kinda did this fast, so check my math.

Was trying to figure out the difference it would take for E10 to be as cost-effective as regular unleaded 87 gas.

Right now, seems like E10 is as much as 10 cents cheaper. For the benefit of this we'll say it's as high as 20 cents cheaper. If you put 10 gallons of E10 in your car at $3.59 a gallon it would cost you $35.90. Let's say your car normally gets 26 MPG on gas, but gets 10% less efficiency on the E10 and only gets 24 MPG. Your range will be 10 x 24 = 240 miles. Divide $35.90 (cost of gas) / 240 miles = 15 cents per mile.

Now, you fill up with 87 octane at $3.79 a gallon. 10 gallons will cost ya $37.90. You get your normal 26 MPG. Your range is 260 miles. Divide $37.90 / 260 miles = 14.8 cents per mile.

So even at 20 cents less per gallon, it's more cost effective to put regular unleaded in your vehicle. The breaking point would be somewhere near 25-30 cents per gallon less before it would make sense to buy E10. Someone check my math.

No, you're correct. I did a similar math equation when Murphy's in Petal opened.

Right now, as of 11:30pm last night, gasoline there was $3.77... it was $3.79 at Texaco in Petal last night. $3.75 at Raceway in Petal yesterday. If they're using E10 at Murphy's, and it's the same price as other non blended gasolines, WTF would I even THINK about buying it???

BTW, I've gotten my best MPG using the Texaco gasoline in Petal.

[metal protector]

Okay....since I can't sleep, I've been checking out info on ethanol, flex fuel, hydrogen, etc.

Kinda did this fast, so check my math.

Was trying to figure out the difference it would take for E10 to be as cost-effective as regular unleaded 87 gas.

Right now, seems like E10 is as much as 10 cents cheaper. For the benefit of this we'll say it's as high as 20 cents cheaper. If you put 10 gallons of E10 in your car at $3.59 a gallon it would cost you $35.90. Let's say your car normally gets 26 MPG on gas, but gets 10% less efficiency on the E10 and only gets 24 MPG. Your range will be 10 x 24 = 240 miles. Divide $35.90 (cost of gas) / 240 miles = 15 cents per mile.

Now, you fill up with 87 octane at $3.79 a gallon. 10 gallons will cost ya $37.90. You get your normal 26 MPG. Your range is 260 miles. Divide $37.90 / 260 miles = 14.8 cents per mile.

So even at 20 cents less per gallon, it's more cost effective to put regular unleaded in your vehicle. The breaking point would be somewhere near 25-30 cents per gallon less before it would make sense to buy E10. Someone check my math.

That is why I don't fill up at Murphy's. Even though you pay less upfront, some people end up paying more in the end.

[R1ZOOM]

Okay....since I can't sleep, I've been checking out info on ethanol, flex fuel, hydrogen, etc.

Kinda did this fast, so check my math.

Was trying to figure out the difference it would take for E10 to be as cost-effective as regular unleaded 87 gas.

Right now, seems like E10 is as much as 10 cents cheaper. For the benefit of this we'll say it's as high as 20 cents cheaper. If you put 10 gallons of E10 in your car at $3.59 a gallon it would cost you $35.90. Let's say your car normally gets 26 MPG on gas, but gets 10% less efficiency on the E10 and only gets 24 MPG. Your range will be 10 x 24 = 240 miles. Divide $35.90 (cost of gas) / 240 miles = 15 cents per mile.

Now, you fill up with 87 octane at $3.79 a gallon. 10 gallons will cost ya $37.90. You get your normal 26 MPG. Your range is 260 miles. Divide $37.90 / 260 miles = 14.8 cents per mile.

So even at 20 cents less per gallon, it's more cost effective to put regular unleaded in your vehicle. The breaking point would be somewhere near 25-30 cents per gallon less before it would make sense to buy E10. Someone check my math.

If I'm breaking even, or even close to it, I'm going to buy the ethanol blend if possible. Anything I can do to help reduce the demand of oil I will support. My scooter gets 90+ mpg, so it's not an issue. My other 2 vehicles a drive have a 5.7L Hemi and a 6.0 Power Stroke Diesel. I wish somewhere around here sold biodiesel, but unfortunately nobody does yet. The Hemi suggests 89 octane, but will run on 87. I've noticed it is more sluggish on 87 and has a rougher idle. Does anyone know the recomendations for a 5.7 Hemi regarding ethanol?

[R1ZOOM]

I did my research, apparently the 5.7L Hemi has too many aluminum parts to run high concentration ethanol based fuels. E10 should be fine, and I even read as high as E33, but anything beyond that can cause problems. Apparently aluminum and high concentrations of ethanol don't get along. Flex fuel vehicles have very limited use of aluminum, special fuel lines, tanks, and other componenets.

[Conveyor Belt]

If I'm breaking even, or even close to it, I'm going to buy the ethanol blend if possible. Anything I can do to help reduce the demand of oil I will support. My scooter gets 90+ mpg, so it's not an issue. My other 2 vehicles a drive have a 5.7L Hemi and a 6.0 Power Stroke Diesel. I wish somewhere around here sold biodiesel, but unfortunately nobody does yet. The Hemi suggests 89 octane, but will run on 87. I've noticed it is more sluggish on 87 and has a rougher idle. Does anyone know the recomendations for a 5.7 Hemi regarding ethanol?

I want to think that the Pine Belt Oil at 42 and Herrington sells Biodiesel. At least, it was signed on a tank there not too long ago.

I also want to think I saw it at a few other small stations around the country areas of Petal.