Ethanol Free gas and the EcoBoost
01-10-2012, 12:43 PM
#21
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Yes, thanks for posting the link to find non ethanol gas. It is a known and proven fact that you get approximately 30% less mpg with e10 than non e gas.
01-10-2012, 12:43 PM
#22
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Percent ethanol added dramatically effects MPG...
I want to begin by offering some background into my reasons for finding and using ethanol free fuel. This thread will be updated as needed to allow others to see what I'm experiencing real-time using it in my EcoBoost.
I've been doing allot of reading online concerning the effects of ethanol on our gas engines and what I'm finding across the board is not very good. Ethanol is a filler used to reduce our dependency on oil. it has no real good qualities in an internal combustion engine. It is basically used as a filler to lower the oil content in our gasoline.. Although some may disagree, I can see it is no good for our engines.
However it does one positive thing.... Reduces our need for oil.
Ok... about a month ago I began my Ethanol free gasoline challenge to see exactly what benefits I'd get keeping ethanol out of my EcoBoost and so far the results are impressive.
First things first.... There is one station, about a mile from my house that offers 90 octane ethanol free gas so I've been buying my fuel there all month. It fluctuates in price just like the ethanol stations do and is usually about 15 cents a gallon more then all the other local stations. So do expect to pay slightly more for it but as you'll see here in a minute, it's worth it IMO.
I've put 5000 miles on my EcoBoost using 10% ethanol gas at several local stations... I try to use name brands such as Chevron and texaco but that isn't always the case.
My truck has averaged between 20.5 and 22.2 MPG's during it's first 5000 miles on ethanol gas.
At 5000 miles I filled her up with 90 octane "ethanol free" gas. This first tank averaged 25.9 with mixed driving.
Second tank of ethanol free 90 octane was used during the Christmas holidays where there was allot of highway driving... This tank averaged 28.8 mpg's. Now I know some of you are very skeptical but I assure you these are accurate numbers, all hand calculated and double checked because I even doubted it.
I just finished my third tank of ethanol free 90 octane with being back to work and my normal driving routine of mixed driving. I got 26.7 mpg's.
I am averaging almost 600 miles per tank and the performance is noticeably better on ethanol free.
Now I'm no expert on gas but it's clear to me that the ethanol is obviously hurting our mileage at the least.
Oh yeah, I noticed something else... I used to have to clean this black soot off my chrome exhaust tip every time I washed the truck... Since switching to ethanol free I no longer have that soot on the exhaust tip... Hmmm... Makes you think..What in the hell are we burning
In closing, if this information is useful for somebody then great....Do your own research and you'll see what I'm seeing....
For Ethanol free gas stations in your state go to http://pure-gas.org
there are over 500 in my state of Florida alone... Try it out and you'll be surprised at the mileage improvement, not to mention you won't be putting all that crap into your engine.
J
I've been doing allot of reading online concerning the effects of ethanol on our gas engines and what I'm finding across the board is not very good. Ethanol is a filler used to reduce our dependency on oil. it has no real good qualities in an internal combustion engine. It is basically used as a filler to lower the oil content in our gasoline.. Although some may disagree, I can see it is no good for our engines.
However it does one positive thing.... Reduces our need for oil.
Ok... about a month ago I began my Ethanol free gasoline challenge to see exactly what benefits I'd get keeping ethanol out of my EcoBoost and so far the results are impressive.
First things first.... There is one station, about a mile from my house that offers 90 octane ethanol free gas so I've been buying my fuel there all month. It fluctuates in price just like the ethanol stations do and is usually about 15 cents a gallon more then all the other local stations. So do expect to pay slightly more for it but as you'll see here in a minute, it's worth it IMO.
I've put 5000 miles on my EcoBoost using 10% ethanol gas at several local stations... I try to use name brands such as Chevron and texaco but that isn't always the case.
My truck has averaged between 20.5 and 22.2 MPG's during it's first 5000 miles on ethanol gas.
At 5000 miles I filled her up with 90 octane "ethanol free" gas. This first tank averaged 25.9 with mixed driving.
Second tank of ethanol free 90 octane was used during the Christmas holidays where there was allot of highway driving... This tank averaged 28.8 mpg's. Now I know some of you are very skeptical but I assure you these are accurate numbers, all hand calculated and double checked because I even doubted it.
I just finished my third tank of ethanol free 90 octane with being back to work and my normal driving routine of mixed driving. I got 26.7 mpg's.
I am averaging almost 600 miles per tank and the performance is noticeably better on ethanol free.
Now I'm no expert on gas but it's clear to me that the ethanol is obviously hurting our mileage at the least.
Oh yeah, I noticed something else... I used to have to clean this black soot off my chrome exhaust tip every time I washed the truck... Since switching to ethanol free I no longer have that soot on the exhaust tip... Hmmm... Makes you think..What in the hell are we burning
In closing, if this information is useful for somebody then great....Do your own research and you'll see what I'm seeing....
For Ethanol free gas stations in your state go to http://pure-gas.org
there are over 500 in my state of Florida alone... Try it out and you'll be surprised at the mileage improvement, not to mention you won't be putting all that crap into your engine.
J
In Florida, I would be most concerned about percent % of ethanol in gas you are basing your calculations on?...
Since 2008, (when mandatory E10 law passed in Florida) your state has had the highest reports of contaminated E10 gas sold which includes over-blending far above legal max of 10%.
If you don't have a fuel-tester to check percent alcohol present in gas, contact me and I'll send you one. (I'd post how you could order one for free from our website but expect links or coupon codes not allowed here?).
Many (majority) of areas in U.S. no longer offer ethanol-free stations -including where I live in Long Island, NY. Not one single E0 pump left for past 2 or so years; We switched over to E10 back in 2006.
Recommend everyone sign Fuel-Testers, Ethanol-free E0 Fuel Choice Petition, if you want to have the right to choose to buy gas without ethanol alcohol, in the future.
BTW, almost all negative effects of E10, (except usually some lowering of mpg due to lower BTU energy of ethanol) are PREVENTABLE & AVOIDABLE in newer autos and engines.
Almost all of those who experienced engine damage could have avoided this had they followed all necessary "E10 Tips & Precautions", which costs you nothing, other than knowing basic FACTS on ethanol in gas, and changes in fuel mgmt. necessary with ethanol-blends, etc.
- Of course, purchase of fresh E10 gas with 10% or less ethanol (and no water contamination) at time of sale is MOST important.
01-10-2012, 01:01 PM
#23
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2 to 20% drop in MPG from E0 to E10 is average...
In a fairly decent condition, newer (late '90's onward) Ford F150, should expect to experience 10% or less drop in MPG when switching from E0 to E10.
Note: I am not a supporter of E10 gas type (just the opposite), but I get crazed when false information on E10 gas is spread on the internet (which is very common).
You probably intended to write E85, flex fuel, which yes, would experience a drop between 25-40% in mpg when compared to E0.
Last edited by Fuel-Testers; 01-10-2012 at 01:02 PM. Reason: Add a question
01-10-2012, 07:50 PM
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MPG Drop Ford 150
Most of our customers that own a Ford 150, or similar engine type/size (3.5 or 3.7 L), report drop of about 10% in mpg when gas contains exactly 10% ethanol.
(More ethanol greater the drop since ethanol has lower BTU energy, etc.)
- The larger engine such as 5 to 6.2L would likely be greater, maybe 15% drop...
3% drop would be typical (expected average) for a smaller 4cyl engine, such as a Toyota Camry 2.5 liter...
-Again there are several variables that effect exact percent drop in mpg-
But if you're only getting a 3% drop in mpg, upon switching from E0 to E10, for any Ford 150, I'd be very happy
(More ethanol greater the drop since ethanol has lower BTU energy, etc.)
- The larger engine such as 5 to 6.2L would likely be greater, maybe 15% drop...
3% drop would be typical (expected average) for a smaller 4cyl engine, such as a Toyota Camry 2.5 liter...
-Again there are several variables that effect exact percent drop in mpg-
But if you're only getting a 3% drop in mpg, upon switching from E0 to E10, for any Ford 150, I'd be very happy
01-10-2012, 09:30 PM
#27
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Totally untrue (30% drop in MPG for a Ford 150), unless your engine is in really bad condition (in need of repairs) or you are purchasing E10 gas illegally over-bended at 20% or higher.
In a fairly decent condition, newer (late '90's onward) Ford F150, should expect to experience 10% or less drop in MPG when switching from E0 to E10.
Note: I am not a supporter of E10 gas type (just the opposite), but I get crazed when false information on E10 gas is spread on the internet (which is very common).
You probably intended to write E85, flex fuel, which yes, would experience a drop between 25-40% in mpg when compared to E0.
In a fairly decent condition, newer (late '90's onward) Ford F150, should expect to experience 10% or less drop in MPG when switching from E0 to E10.
Note: I am not a supporter of E10 gas type (just the opposite), but I get crazed when false information on E10 gas is spread on the internet (which is very common).
You probably intended to write E85, flex fuel, which yes, would experience a drop between 25-40% in mpg when compared to E0.
For personal use, I absolutely despise being made to use fuel with alcohol in it. I refuse to use it in small motors like chain saws and boat motors. We still have a few stations with 100% around, but they aren't many of them and I have to travel to get to them.
01-11-2012, 10:48 AM
#28
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Olly
......and let's not forget about the fact that we are now using "FOOD" for fuel. Five,six years ago, corn was around $3.00 a bushel (right at the beginning of big subsidies)....now we're over $7.00 a bushel........
01-11-2012, 11:17 AM
#29
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I've been doing allot of reading online concerning the effects of ethanol on our gas engines and what I'm finding across the board is not very good. Ethanol is a filler used to reduce our dependency on oil. it has no real good qualities in an internal combustion engine. It is basically used as a filler to lower the oil content in our gasoline.. Although some may disagree, I can see it is no good for our engines.
Actually ethanol was introduced as a replacement for MTBE as an oxygenate in fuel.
MTBE was banned in a few states after it was feared that it would contaminate water supplies. Too bad since it had zero effects on performance of motors unlike ethanol.
01-11-2012, 11:34 AM
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Everything was cheaper 5 or 6 years ago, as it was 5 or 6 years before that, and before that and so on. Also it will be more expensive again in another 5 or 6 years. Welcome to planet earth sir, LOL! Pretty funny how you choose to blame ethanol though. The fact is that after process of making ethanol it is actually a higher quality food source than raw unprocessed corn.
Not everything was cheaper 5-6 years ago - was your house? (if your by the Bakken then probably)
Not to get off topic and hijack the thread, but prices on corn exceeding 100% in 6 years....that doesn't meet the rate of inflation my friend. I agree about the manufacturing process as well consuming more energy than it produces. However, when you plant a field of corn for ethanol, what land/crop is used to feed the populace, or feed the meat we eat? Subsidies?
Last edited by Olly; 01-11-2012 at 11:39 AM.