So I've been searching and can not find any straight forward answers concerning this topic. I've been getting mid-grade gas since I started driving my 3rd gen and I've been thinking of trying non-ethanol gas. My questions are, is there anything better or worse about it than regular fuel w/ ethanol or is the extra cost of non-ethanol worth it? Is it ok, or good, to run in my 85 or should I stick with my mid-grade?

Thatnks!

 

You just opened up a can or worms. You are going to start an argument on here haha.

Some people say it's good, some say it's bad.

I have been running it for 10 years and have had absolutely ZERO problems with it.

Ethanol burns colder, is more resistant to knock and helps prevent condensation in the fuel tank.

The cons, it is harsh. and is less efficient.

 

I will give you the chad (CHeap And Dirty) rundown.

Ethanol is a political tool. It "helps" farmers by using corn as fuel. I wont get into starving kids and food wasted as fuel. There is enough about that out there if you want to look for it.

Real gas has more explosive potential (potential energy) than ethanol. The more ethanol the less power the fuel has. Consider buying 100% gas a cheap (but temporary) upgrade in horsepower. You will get SLIGHTLY more miles per gallon, but not enough to justify the cost.

If you consider your car transportation, buy ethanol.
If you consider your car a toy, buy 100% gas.
If you consider your car a combination of both buy only enough ethanol/gas mix to get you to work and back till the weekend, then fill up the car with as much 100% gas as you will burn having fun till its time to go back to work.

Caveat! Consider your gas tank empty at 1/4 tank especially in the summer. Fuel is a coolant for the fuel pump. The hotter it is, the faster your pump will go bad (and its no fun changing out a fuel pump on a third gen). Your car takes care of you, take care of it!

 

In Michigan, it is not required for gas stations inform customers that ethanol is in the fuel. I don't think there are any stations here that provide 100% gas anymore. Maybe in your state you have a choice. Not here.

If I had the choice, I would run 100% gas.

 

when our cars were born ethanol was not around . tell you anything ???

 

The only non-ethanol gas I find is 110 race gas, contains lead.
Everything else " Contains at least 10% Ethanol "

I thought the corn used was " feed corn " for livestock, the stuff like grown around here.

 

Krik is 100% right. Ethanol is a political tool. Ironically, those implementing this MPG-lowering additive are the same people who advocate higher CAFE standards. Right now the EPA is looking to up the Ethanol content to 15%!

Here is a website that reports the location of non-ethanol fuel. You will pay more. If you're near the coast, most boat places use ethanol-free fuel, but marina fuel points charge a ton.

http://pure-gas.org/

 

Man, I never knew! Theres a station 20 miles away with
" gas " hahaha!!
Thanks for the link!

 

From what I've heard, it takes more diesel fuel to make ethanol, so you get a negative return. It's all politics, and corruption. I use Marvel's at every fill up to counter the drying effect of the alcohol.

 

Ethanol has been around since the 70's I can remember seeing signs saying "we sale 100% gas no Ethanol here"


In NC I can get 110 unleaded racing gas.

 

How much is it a gallon?

I can remember in the leaded gas days sunoco used to sell 260 premium

 

I see so many wrong statements here, Ethanol has bean around for fuel for our cars since there have bean cars. And since the 70's when we had the fuel crisis ethanol has bean in every gallon of gasoline. its a fedral mandate.. It is true the more ethanol mixed in with gasoline will lower your mpg. And it is true that on most cars ethanol will lower performance. But on a higher compression engine or a boosted engine this is not so. You can run higher boost, higher compression, and take advantage of more timing. to produce a higher HP and TQ. but you do use more ethanol , you need bigger jets in your carb, or bigger injectors. We will soon be at a price point were ethanol will be a better economic sollition than gasoline. And that is around $4.75 per gallon of gasoline. That is if the gass companies don't keep hiking up E-85 just to keep it from happening. And you can make your own ethanol for less than a .85 cents per gallon. And the government gives the licences to just about anyone for free.

 

The last time I looked last year it was $9 a gallon. Gas was cheaper then so it may be higher now.

 

I guess it's worth it to have that edge.