E10 fuel at QuikTrip

[Kashmir]

Sinclair seems to be OK so far, but Shell seems to vary.  My last Sinclair tank I got 310 mpg, this Shell tank I got 255.  What the heck?  I have a 2004 Jeep Cherokee that I love like a child, so my baby is probably starving.  Prior to the !EthanolSwitch!  I always got 300.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Kashmir

Sinclair seems to be OK so far, but Shell seems to vary.  My last Sinclair tank I got 310 mpg, this Shell tank I got 255.  What the heck?  I have a 2004 Jeep Cherokee that I love like a child, so my baby is probably starving.  Prior to the !EthanolSwitch!  I always got 300.

Temperature could have more to do with it than the station. Warmer temperatures require a leaner mix. Your Jeep only has an air temperature sensor as opposed to a Mass air flow sensor so it doesn't compensate as well to changes in temperature. Computer-controlled engines of today are supposed to adjust continuously to improve but your engine has been used to 30-50degree days up until the last two weeks.

Also keep in mind the Sinclair pump might've clicked off earlier and you didn't get a completely full tank.

[Breadburner]

Gas Geeks...heh...

[sauerkraut]

Yeah there's lots to figure when you test fuel mileage. it's hard to do and takes time. To be real accurate you  need to be sure you fill up the tank to the exact level each time and it's run down to the same level in each test.. Running a gasoline tank dry shortens the life of the expensive fuel pump but that will give you the most accurate test. (Temp matters too)[B)]

[Kashmir]

quote:

Also keep in mind the Sinclair pump might've clicked off earlier and you didn't get a completely full tank.

This is funny, but ever since I learned to drive I have "burped" the car when getting gas (leaning against it and putting weight on and then stuffing another gallon/half gallon inside, no runoff waste, I promise.)  My dad always did...no lectures on how this is stupid, etc b/c I always have and I probably always will.

Oh well...we did get a new oxygen sensor and it seems to help too.

[rwarn17588]

We have a Honda Fit and a Honda Insight in our household. We both saw mileage drops in the fall, about the time QuikTrip made the switch to an ethanol blend.

Since going with 100 percent gasoline about a month ago, we've seen mileage increases of 6 to 10 percent. Not a huge amount, but certainly a lot more than the 2 percent drop that the ethanol-blend folks claim.

[Breadburner]

Bottom line...I think we all agree corn based ethanol is a joke all across the board....

[inteller]

yeah, well QT is playing the joke on us.  at least wal mart tells you on the pump that it is E10.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

yeah, well QT is playing the joke on us.  at least wal mart tells you on the pump that it is E10.

yeah but very soon all stations will have E-10 fuel. That's the coming thing. I don't understand these high fuel prices gas buying is way down and prices still go up. I look at the pump and see how much fuel the last guy bought and it's only $10.00 or $20.00. When fuel was cheaper drivers bought alot more gasoline.[B)]

[tulsacyclist]

KOTV has a story about this on their website..

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=8177510

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by Kashmir

Sinclair seems to be OK so far, but Shell seems to vary.  My last Sinclair tank I got 310 mpg, this Shell tank I got 255.  What the heck?  I have a 2004 Jeep Cherokee that I love like a child, so my baby is probably starving.  Prior to the !EthanolSwitch!  I always got 300.

Back when I actually had to pay for gas, I always did this as well! I thought I was the only one, I would sometimes get strange looks from people.  Oh well []

[Steve]

I have been buying my gasoline almost exclusively from QT over the past 5 years, mostly from the 31st & Sheridan outlet.  I have recently wondered if the gas I am buying was an ethanol blend; I assume from the discussion on this thread that it is.

I have not noticed a significant drop in fuel economy, but I drive my car so little that the change may not be noticeable to me.  (I drive a 15 year old Oldsmobile 98 that only has 53,000 miles on it.  I am the original owner.)  My biggest concern is the impact of ethanol fuel on engine components and longevity.  Comments?

[YoungTulsan]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

I have been buying my gasoline almost exclusively from QT over the past 5 years, mostly from the 31st & Sheridan outlet.  I have recently wondered if the gas I am buying was an ethanol blend; I assume from the discussion on this thread that it is.

I have not noticed a significant drop in fuel economy, but I drive my car so little that the change may not be noticeable to me.  (I drive a 15 year old Oldsmobile 98 that only has 53,000 miles on it.  I am the original owner.)  My biggest concern is the impact of ethanol fuel on engine components and longevity.  Comments?

The fact that you rarely drive it may raise some issues.  I've read that letting the ethanol sit in your tank for more than 90 days can be damaging.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by YoungTulsan

quote:Originally posted by Steve

I have been buying my gasoline almost exclusively from QT over the past 5 years, mostly from the 31st & Sheridan outlet.  I have recently wondered if the gas I am buying was an ethanol blend; I assume from the discussion on this thread that it is.

I have not noticed a significant drop in fuel economy, but I drive my car so little that the change may not be noticeable to me.  (I drive a 15 year old Oldsmobile 98 that only has 53,000 miles on it.  I am the original owner.)  My biggest concern is the impact of ethanol fuel on engine components and longevity.  Comments?

The fact that you rarely drive it may raise some issues.  I've read that letting the ethanol sit in your tank for more than 90 days can be damaging.

You may be right.  Last month March 2008, I replaced the original factory water pump, upper & lower radiator hoses & thermostat, serpentine drive belt, and cooling system flush on my 1993 Olds 98 (3.8 litre, 231 C.I., V6 engine).  All is like brand new now, and I have never had any problems realted to fuel or the fuel injection system.

On average, I only have to put gas in my car about every 8 weeks, so I guess I should not worry about old ethanol gas in the tank.

[Robinson]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

I have been buying my gasoline almost exclusively from QT over the past 5 years, mostly from the 31st & Sheridan outlet.  I have recently wondered if the gas I am buying was an ethanol blend; I assume from the discussion on this thread that it is.

I have not noticed a significant drop in fuel economy, but I drive my car so little that the change may not be noticeable to me.  (I drive a 15 year old Oldsmobile 98 that only has 53,000 miles on it.  I am the original owner.)  My biggest concern is the impact of ethanol fuel on engine components and longevity.  Comments?

Apparently people who store ethanol have to sign releases agreeing not to hold the tank company liable for the corrosive nature of ethanol. It will eat right thru the tank. If the tank that is designed to hold the ethanol can't handle ethanol -- it is a very strong possibility that a car never designed to run on ethanol won't either.

Best advice? Find a solid service station that truly sells 100% gasoline. Period.