Ethanol Gasoline Mileage Improvement

[Jeff Kleb]

Here in VA, our stations are required to sell gasoline with a ten percent ethanol mixture. This has been the case since May 5th, although some stations carried it a week or two prior to that date. The "gasohol" replaces what used to be a blend that contained MTBE. MTBE had some questions about environmental impact and possibly being a carcinogen.

The MTBE was added after refining and was able to be transported through the pipeline after being mixed with the unleaded gasoline, while the ethanol cannot be put into the tank until before it is loaded onto the semi-trailer that takes it directly to the filling station. Something about ethanol attracting water during transport, I guess.

Since the changeover, I have noticed a slight improvement in my fuel economy. I get about 1.4 mpg better in my 4Runner and just about 2 mpg in my Sentra. My city/highway driving habits have not changed, except for using the Sentra more frequently and the 4Runner less often.....but the figures include a 350-mile trip last weekend in the Toyota and about 320 miles a week commuting in the Sentra.

Could it be the higher octane of ethanol? Would the engine's computer sensor put the timing ahead if there was no knocking or detonation? I almost always use 87 (regular) in both vehicles, even though some stations have been out of it temporarily because of the changeover and having to get their underground tanks cleaned out of MTBE-laced gasoline before putting in the gasohol.

I had read an article about ethanol having less BTU output than gasoline, but was that a bunch of crap? Anyone else experiencing changes in their mileage or performance from the ethanol mixtures?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Our winter gas is infused with MTBE here and most people report less mileage per gallon. I avoid the stations that use Ethanol year 'round.

 

[AlexJet]

I didn't see any gas stations with Ethanol in Toronto, so have no idea if it works in this way; but this a good question. I hope someone in this forum with chemistry background can give us some explanation.

 

[biglatka]

Since the changeover, I have noticed a slight improvement in my fuel economy. I get about 1.4 mpg better in my 4Runner and just about 2 mpg in my Sentra. My city/highway driving habits have not changed, except for using the Sentra more frequently and the 4Runner less often.....but the figures include a 350-mile trip last weekend in the Toyota and about 320 miles a week commuting in the Sentra.

Could it be the higher octane of ethanol? Would the engine's computer sensor put the timing ahead if there was no knocking or detonation? I almost always use 87 (regular) in both vehicles, even though some stations have been out of it temporarily because of the changeover and having to get their underground tanks cleaned out of MTBE-laced gasoline before putting in the gasohol.

I had read an article about ethanol having less BTU output than gasoline, but was that a bunch of crap? Anyone else experiencing changes in their mileage or performance from the ethanol mixtures?

Could it be the warmer temperatures improving your mileage??? My mileage always takes a hit in the winter.

That article was right about BTU content. Ethanol has only about 65% the heat equivalent of gasoline; it does have a higher octane though. If they switched over to E85, engines could be "tuned' to take advantage of a possible higher octane rating of almost pure ethanol but you would still suffer in the mileage department, wiping out the advantage of lower prices for the ethanol. You would also need a bigger gas tank to get the same range as you do now. The gasoline rated at 87 octane is 87 octane, whatever method they raise it to that level by.

 

[JungleJim]

I thought it was a federal law that all gasoline had to be 10% ethanol. Maybe it's just been an Ohio law.

 

[sharp4runr]

I'll let you know how it goes Jeff. I just filled up yesterday and took a trip out west to Front Royal for mother's day. I'm not 100% sure the Wawa I filled the truck at had 10% ethanol mixed in. I filled up the bike at the local Exxon and all had the 10% Ethanol sticker on the pumps. I was a bit aprehensive putting the stuff in the bike, but I was running on low already so I took a gamble. I got home and checked the manual and it says 10% is ok, nothing more...

 

[claydoctor]

There seems to be a lot of confusion in all this. Ethanol would not seem to me to be as combustible as gasoline so it seems that mixing ethanol with gasoline would reduce the energy available. Also what happens when you have half a gallon of regular gas and you top off with an ethanol blend. If the two fuels are not supposed to be mixed in an underground tank, is it OK to mix them in your gas tank?

 

[iFORCE]

I didn't see any gas stations with Ethanol in Toronto, so have no idea if it works in this way; but this a good question. I hope someone in this forum with chemistry background can give us some explanation.

The only places that sell ethanol blended gas....... is Mohawk and I think Husky(western canada only). Most places don't promote/sell ethanol blended gas as it's bad for the vehicles. Why? I believe it messes up your O2 sensors.

 

[Theory2]

In my understanding ethanol is somewhat less efficient than gasoline therefore your increase MPG is likely the result of incresed temp. I too have noticed a 1-2 mpg increase with the warmer weather.

 

[T4R06]

here in CT it says 10% of ethanol. @ CITGO gas station

 

[khaug]

Sorry, but I find it difficult to believe that ethanol can lead to an improvement in MPG. It's well established that ethanol has substantially less energy content per unit volume than gasoline, and this has to result in lower MPG.

Ethanol can increase the octane rating of gasoline/ethanol blends, which has the potential for some improvement, but only if the engine is designed for that fuel (higher compression ratio, combustion chamber design). If the computer "map" for your engine was optimized for 91 octane fuel, bumping the fuel up to, say, 100 octane will do nothing.

My take on E85 and all other ethanol/gasoline blends is that their only virtue is to perhaps reduce our dependance on oil imports, at the expense of diminished MPG. I think the farm lobby has succeeded in selling this to congress, and we'll all be paying the cost for it.

Regards.

 

[matoolie]

I thought it was a federal law that all gasoline had to be 10% ethanol. Maybe it's just been an Ohio law.

I believe it is a nation wide change over because now oil companies are no longer protected from lawsuits related to the use of MTBE as MTBE is a hazardous substance. Previously no lawsuits could be filed as a result of government laws/regulations. Not sure if the oil companies are being forced to use ethanol or if it is their own choice to simply protect themselves.

 

[claydoctor]

We're being told in Virginia that this is being mandated in certain areas mostly urban where there are pollution problems. So in the city they are supposed to switch over, whereas twenty miles out of town it will be non-ethanol and business as usual. We're told that one of the reason the price is going up is the cost of switching over but right now, some have switched over, some haven't and the price is the same.

 

[AlexJet]

... We're told that one of the reason the price is going up is the cost of switching over but right now, some have switched over, some haven't and the price is the same.

Looks like just another way to rise the prices...

 

[mongo161]

To combat the dying and corrosive effects of Ethanol gasoline, I've been adding a mix of TC-W3 to my fuel at each fill up. The mix has been 1 ounce of TC-W3 to every 4 or 5 gallons of gasoline. I also add 3 ounces of Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner Concentrate to the 3 ounces of TC-W3 for 12 to 14 gallon fill ups. My engine is smooth and quiet and the fuel pump, seals and fuel lines along with the upper cylinder are getting the necessary lube that the prolonged effects of dryness that ethanol causes to the fuel system. The TC-W3 is ashless and burns clean so the upper cylinder is also getting a nice cleaning with this outboard motor oil.

I've been using this mix for the past 8 months and have gotten better fuel economy as a bonus to the lubricating properties of this oil in the fuel system.

Does anyone else use an upper cylinder lube with all the ethanol in the gasoline?

 

[pickerdd]

<snip> I've been using this mix for the past 8 months and have gotten better fuel economy as a bonus to the lubricating properties of this oil in the fuel system.

Thanks for the info. How much does your fuel additive mixture add to the cost of each tank?

 

[mongo161]

The cost to a tank of regular gasoline is pennies. Any TC-W3 will do for this treatment. Walmart has a blue gallon jug for under $10 and sometimes you can find it on close out at the end of the boating season. I'm currently running Pennzoil Marine Synthetic Blend TC-W3, that I picked up at the end on September. I bought 3 gallons of the oil and I have use 1 gallon so far. The Chevron Techron Fuel system cleaner I picked up at Advance Auto when they run the BIG1F specials on the 20 ounce bottles.

My mix is 1 ounce of TC-W3 to every 4 to 5 gallons of gas and I add the 3 ounces of Chevron Techron "Fuel System" cleaner since I can't get Chevron/Texaco gasoline in my market. So you see that the cost of running this mix is pennies at each fill up. I usually fill up with 12 to 14 gallons of gas.

If you want to protect your fuel pump and fuel system from the harmful effects of ethanol in the gas you need lubrication in your fuel. The TC-W3 is ashless and burns clean in the combustion chamber. The amount of TC-W3 mixed with the gas is minute and will not harm your cat converter. The damage caused by running ethanol is the drying and corrosive effects it has on the fuel tank, fuel pump and fuel lines in addition to the gaskets and seals. The lubricating properties of TC-W3 counter act these harmful effects. An added benefit will be the increased MPG that you will notice by running this mix, once the "winter blend" of gasoline ends soon. Good Luck and Cheers.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Its great that the government can mandate an additive to a fuel to basically dilute the fuel so that we can "save barrels of oil." When really the worsened MPG, costs associated with making ethanol, (not to mention the energy making ethanol), plus increased corn prices due to the fact that there is less corn to eat if farmers subsidize their crops to the govt for cash, more than outweigh the positive effects they claim it does. Oh yeah not to mention that it will shorten the life of your motor (due to the higher running temps, and fuel system issues brought up above). So since they can mandate what they put in our fuel, can I mandate they pay for the ill effects it causes later on in my motor? Yeah right. Soooo why are they really doing it?

 

[mongo161]

The primary reason I run the TC-W3 mix with every fill up is because of the destruction to the Gas tank, Fuel Pump, seals and gaskets that Ethanol fuel causes. Ethanol attracts moisture and it will dry and corrode your fuel system over time. I know people who have had to had fuel pumps replaced, on more than 1 occasion, due to the drying and corrosive effects of Ethanol.

Running a mix of TC-W3 in your fuel at 500:1 to 800:1, (Gas to TC-W3) solves that problem of Ethanol in the gas. The added benefits of TC-W3 are a nice clean and lubed combustion chamber since this oil is ashless and burns off clean. The other benefit you will notice will be an increase in MPG, once the "Winter Blend" of hyped up gas stops being sold in a month or so.

There is a very lengthy discussion about the benefits and peoples results with running this mix of TC-W3.

Here is the link....as long as it's not deleted by the board monitor, to help you protect your expensive vehicle and prevent costly repairs.

Been testing - LS1 Performance Information

 

[vvs75]

Do you carry already made mix for one fill with you or you add them at the pump separately? Trying to figure out the best way to do it. Thanks