E10 fuel at QuikTrip

[AngieB]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

I used QT gasoline almost exclusively for years. Within the last few months, I noticed that the mileage on my 18-year-old Toyota dropped from about 28 MPG around town to around 22 MPG. I wondered if it might be a mechanical problem, but when I heard that ethanol could affect mileage, I filled up at the 31st & Yale Phillips. I won't know for sure until my next fill-up, but so far my mileage appears to be back where it used to be.

My car has only 13,000 miles and I saw a similar decrease after using E10 from QT. Since switching to Phillips and/or the station at 33rd & W Skelly (can't remember the name), my mileage is back up to 26 or so. A new cold air intake should help the mileage even more, but that has nothing to do with fuel...it will just help it breath better and sound cool. [8D]

[YoungTulsan]

Yeah, my plan is to test the difference right after getting new tires, fresh oil change, filters, alignment, etc (test BOTH types after obviously, since my mileage could go up as a result of maintainance)

I still don't understand all of these stories about people getting MORE than a 10% loss in mileage from the stuff.  Like something is happening that makes the ethanol counterproductive, or we are getting less than 90% actual gasoline, and more "blend" (which may or may not be all ethanol).

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by YoungTulsan

Yeah, my plan is to test the difference right after getting new tires, fresh oil change, filters, alignment, etc (test BOTH types after obviously, since my mileage could go up as a result of maintainance)

I still don't understand all of these stories about people getting MORE than a 10% loss in mileage from the stuff.  Like something is happening that makes the ethanol counterproductive, or we are getting less than 90% actual gasoline, and more "blend" (which may or may not be all ethanol).

change your spark plugs.  new tires won't matter unless they are improperly inflated.  Your car needs to be making the best spark possible to burn the pee water as best it can.

[TURobY]

I drive an '88 Ford Bronco II. I've not noticed any difference and still getting between 13-14 MPG.

[LongtimeTulsan]

Long lecture from mechanic. Do not buy gas from QT. The ethanol attracts crud and water and will damage your engine. There is no law which requires the gas stations to post that they are not using 100% gas. The Texaco at 21 and Lewis sells 100%. Others do as well - ask first! And yes, it is a fact that with an ethanol product you will get between 25-30% less performance (less miles per gal). Plus - ethanol doesn't mix well so instead of a 90-10 (gas 90, ethanol 10) you could end of with a 80-20 mix further reducing not only miles, but your wallet.

[waterboy]

Do they both evaporate at the same rate? Maybe the ethanol seeps out of the system easier, particularly in older cars where fittings and fuel lines may have deteriorated.

[inteller]

just an FYI, I'm seeing a lot of stations in BA advertise non ethanol gas.  They charge .05 more, but I think they are just taking advantage of the fact it isn't E10.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by LongtimeTulsan

Long lecture from mechanic. Do not buy gas from QT. The ethanol attracts crud and water and will damage your engine. . .

Plus - ethanol doesn't mix well so instead of a 90-10 (gas 90, ethanol 10) you could end of with a 80-20 mix further reducing not only miles, but your wallet.

Ethanol chemically bonds with water.  That is very true.  As far as I know there is no reason for it to bond to crud, but it's molecular structure crazes H20 to balance itself (being by its nature volatile and thus desirable to burn) But the water is bad enough. And I haven't heard that it mixes poorly, but I guess it would make sense.

Some mechanics flat out hate ethanol, I'm starting to think it is more warranted than I thought.

[jne]

I remember years ago, driving through Iowa, I noticed that they had ethanol blended gasoline as a 4th option at all the pumps. It was a bit cheaper than regular unleaded.  I'm assuming that QT doesn't sell this gas any cheaper than the regular unleaded rate.  So aren't they just watering down their product and taking a higher profit margin?

If we're going to be diluting the gas in Oklahoma, shouldn't there be a cost savings?  

How about topping my tank off with a shot of Oklahoma wheat gas?

I haven't used the ethanol gas enough to notice any mileage difference. I find my local QT to be too busy and a pain to get in and out of, so I typically run up the street and swipe my card at a pair of service station pumps that are rarely occupied.

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by LongtimeTulsan

Long lecture from mechanic. Do not buy gas from QT. The ethanol attracts crud and water and will damage your engine. . .

Plus - ethanol doesn't mix well so instead of a 90-10 (gas 90, ethanol 10) you could end of with a 80-20 mix further reducing not only miles, but your wallet.

Ethanol chemically bonds with water.  That is very true.  As far as I know there is no reason for it to bond to crud, but it's molecular structure crazes H20 to balance itself (being by its nature volatile and thus desirable to burn) But the water is bad enough. And I haven't heard that it mixes poorly, but I guess it would make sense.

Some mechanics flat out hate ethanol, I'm starting to think it is more warranted than I thought.

[Kashmir]

I've noticed crappy mileage with QT as well lately, as does Mr. K (Olds Alero & Grand Cherokee)

Phillips seems to be good stuff lately.

[cannon_fodder]

Iowa has subsidized E10 for a long  time (at least 15 years) that I can recall for sure).  Gas stations are "strongly encouraged" to sell it at a discount as it is subsidized by the State.  generally a 3-5 cent discount and about 89 Octane.

[jne]

I see, but with the high price of gas, can't we assume that the ethanol serves as just a cheap filler?  I'm guessing ethanol is not so inefficient that it still needs a subsidy to be viable. I don't see QT boasting that they are working to curb dependency on foreign oil with the ethanol mixture, likely to avoid the controversy of whether or not it sucks for your car.

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Iowa has subsidized E10 for a long  time (at least 15 years) that I can recall for sure).  Gas stations are "strongly encouraged" to sell it at a discount as it is subsidized by the State.  generally a 3-5 cent discount and about 89 Octane.

[custosnox]

Finally needed to fill up (with the gas prices, I drive as little as possible and try to make my gas go as far as possible), so I pulled into the local station that advertises "pure gas!!! no ethonal!!!"  Look at the pump, and there are two 87 octanes.  One has a paper sign on it that says "advertised price".  Under this sign, it says "10% ethonal".  The other one is marked as no ethonal, and priced several cents above the "advertised" price.  Which puts it several cents above the price of gas at every other station.  So, gain in economy, lose in the wallet.

[LongtimeTulsan]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by LongtimeTulsan

Long lecture from mechanic. Do not buy gas from QT. The ethanol attracts crud and water and will damage your engine. . .

Plus - ethanol doesn't mix well so instead of a 90-10 (gas 90, ethanol 10) you could end of with a 80-20 mix further reducing not only miles, but your wallet.

Ethanol chemically bonds with water.  That is very true.  As far as I know there is no reason for it to bond to crud, but it's molecular structure crazes H20 to balance itself (being by its nature volatile and thus desirable to burn) But the water is bad enough. And I haven't heard that it mixes poorly, but I guess it would make sense.

Some mechanics flat out hate ethanol, I'm starting to think it is more warranted than I thought.

Regarding the blend - they have to go to two different terminals - one for the gas and one for the ethanol - so it is not blended at the rack - therefore no consistency in blend.

[Robinson]

Ditto - switched to 100% gas and problems with car have gone away - Had to use a name brand station - went to three different quickie places and all had that E10.

ASK Before you buy!