Gas prices causing drivers to blend their own ethanol
Because certain subsidies and incentives allow many gas stations to sell ethanol for less money than regular gasoline, the fuel is becoming a popular choice among motorists, even if their vehicles are not certified for flex-fuel use. All vehicles sold in the U.S. today are capable of accepting small doses of the alcohol fuel, as up to ten-percent of normal gasoline may be ethanol. Of course, the fuel is available in higher concentrations for vehicles which have been designed to use it, with E85 - eighty-five-percent ethanol, fifteen-percent gasoline - proving one of the most popular combinations.
Apparently, though, the lower price of the fuel has attracted the attention of those looking to save a few bucks on each fill-up. In fact, this article indicates that many users are mixing their own blends right in their tanks. This trend has prompted some gas stations to allow a choice of ethanol mixtures for drivers who want to use it, right from a single pump. Manufacturers warn that using alcohol fuels in vehicles not certified for them could cause permanent damage, so be sure you know what you're doing before breaking those rules.
[Source: AP via The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
carbuzzard.com 12:59PM (6/29/2008)
Around here (Pennsylvania), without any fanfare, small stickers began appearing on gas pumps warning that the gas may contain "up to" 10% alcohol. Now you know why your gas mileage isn't what it used to be...
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ltclloyd 1:04PM (6/29/2008)
Great! A practice I've been doing for 2 years now. the Nissan QR25DE (Sentra SER, Altima, Rouge Etc) that I have is VERY tolerant of High ethanol blends.
I drive a Spec V which requires Super unleaded so I started adding a few gallons of E85 to regular to get my octane up where the engine would not knock. and save a Ton.. however the More I added the better it ran and I can Now go all the way to straight E85 without tripping a Check engine Light. but best power and the best economy and price per mile is found with a little regular still in the tank.
but I got 29mpg on my last tank of E85 and I only get 31 on straight 93 octane gas so the savings are very apparent.
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J in MN 2:08PM (6/29/2008)
I have yet to find a station that sells E-85 for less than E-10 after adjusting for energy content.
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jpm100 3:03PM (6/29/2008)
Many places have upto 10% ethanol and in the near future all places will have 10% ethanol as a replacement for MTBE, an anti-pollution additive. Its not there in anyway to do with its use as a biofuel.
Its the primary use for ethanol in vehicles today and for a few more years to come.
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ltclloyd 6:14PM (6/29/2008)
Yea I see about a 15-17% split in most places. it REALLY makes sense however when compared to super unleaded which makes that 25-27% price spread.
NOW that being said and We know that on paper we loose 25% of the fuels energy content, I am not experiencing a 25% drop in fuel economy. I am not experiencing that. now that being said the Sentra was tuned pig rich from the factory and with the alchol is closer to stoichiometric under load, but in closed loop the computer just delivers Lambda one of fuel
(optimum air fuel ratio regardless of composition)
so that means there is some inherent efficiency increase I'm experiencing over and above straight combustion.
I could be the Cylinder Charge Cooling Effect, or it could be the E85 is not as bad as people say. regardless, I can't make it burn 25% more fuel no way no how.
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jpm100 6:32PM (6/29/2008)
The lower energy content is academic, really. Its how many miles you travel per C02 produced or per dollar or per whatever floats your boat.
The lower energy content really means you need a 25% bigger gas tank for the same range. Much less of a cost or impact than a diesel or hybrid system added to a vehicle.
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swen 10:33AM (6/30/2008)
Why can't we get E-85 in Kullifohnia? We're
supposed to be leading the pack in Green issues.
We've fallen far behind.
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Cactus 12:30PM (6/30/2008)
@Swen: Because giving E85 a large-scale retail presence in Calif. would require trucking ethanol over from the midwest on a massive scale, thus negating any benefit.
The state's oxygenated fuel requirement means pretty much all gas sold in this state contains 10% ethanol, anyway (since MTBE was phased out). The net effect of this is like having about one in eight of all cars running on E85... which probably makes California a leader in ethanol use...
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Bob from ALAMN 2:17PM (7/14/2008)
"I have yet to find a station that sells E-85 for less than E-10 after adjusting for energy content."
I suspect you are using bad math, J in MN. Either it is cheaper, or it's not. Every driver is going to have to figure how many miles they get on E85 instead of E10 in their FFV, then do the math.
Saw a station in Sacred Heart, MN last week selling E85 for $1 a gallon less than E10. Tough to beat that price.
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Pam 4:06AM (7/16/2008)
OH NO!!! I have a diesel beetle and I just put E85 in it (thought that it was biodiesel). It started to sputter within 2 miles. So what I really put in the car was GAS??? What do I do now????!!!!
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