Caution - Fuel changes

For those that didn’t know, some gas stations will be changing to 15% ethanol. If you have a supercharger or other system that requires 10% or less ethanol, then make sure you check out what you’re filling up.

Not sure if there’s any convenient links out there, but wanted to spread some info.

 

E85 is typically a signifier for fuel that is 85% ethanol... not 15% ethanol.

That being said, yes; you should be aware of the ethanol content in fuels. Most times there is a decal at the pump listing the ethanol content in mixed fuels.

 

Corrected the title/info. Ethanol content is allowed to be increased.

 

Not new. The AMA has been fighting this for at least 3 years. Most motorcycles, ATVs, lawn mowers (any small engine, really) aren't built to use E-15 which will damage them. Pumps are supposed to be clearly marked for ethanol content.

 

Another point of emphasis: DO NOT blindly trust what your fuel cap says. Bought my Taco used and it had the wrong cap saying E15 is OK when it is not. READ YOUR USER MANUAL! Most of our 2nd gens are E10 only. Correct fuel cap (at least for my truck) shown for reference:

 

Great so another item that costs more for less and has the added benefit of being even more harsh on outdoor power equipment, way to go

I hope they don't bring that crap here, it's bad enough we are forced to use 10%.

 

I’m assuming it’s an effort to increase the volume of fuel available and reduce cost at the pump. But at the cost of decreased mileage. It’s a poor tactic to make it look like consumer savings.

 

I'm just now realizing that yes, one time last year on a road trip, I fed my truck E15 the first and only time I saw it available at a Sheetz. The "88 Octane" marketing ploy really got me.

I heard Sheetz is cutting prices to $3.99 through the 4th but I looked and it's just E15. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/06/28/sheetz-lowers-gas-prices-july-4th/7753929001/

 

Yea same tactic is used with goods in the store, less product in the package at the same or increased price.

 

Once I found a station that sells E0-91 out of the pump, that is all I use for my small toys.

My 2018 Taco, according to the user's manual, can run on E15, but nothing more... Since the energy content of ethanol is less than that of gasoline, expect to see decreased mileage...

 

Manufacturers just agree to E10 and E15. They wish there was less ethanol in fuel. The same engines 10 years ago had E10 on the fuel caps.

 

Yea I heard that’s going on. Personally won’t be taking any, as mine requires premium. Might be an option for others.

 

More ethanol will never lower the price of anything. The exact opposite is true.
The damage it will cause will be far outweigh any potential gain. Many vehicles will require more fuel to travel a given distance due the the lower BTU values.
Another example that decisions are made for headlines, and not based on having a clue on how things actually work.

 

exactly, it’s just a deceiving tactic. Nobody likes build up on the back of their valves.

 

I like clean valves and pistons too. But, just not the damage that E15 will do to the rubber components in my fuel system that weren't designed for anything above E10.
That's going to cost a lot of people, a lot of money in repairs. Which you know it will.

 

I don’t see how the consumer will benefit from this?

Lower fuel mpg = more money spent
Not to mention the added expense of maintenance and repairs.

Most Flex-Fuel vehicles require lower OCI. Some even require the OCI be cut in half. Which if my math is correct, is roughly 10% sooner if you use e15. And here we are at 10k mile oil changes?

I’m not sure what to think any more.

All I do know is, that it only took me 2 season of rebuilding the carburetors on my mowers before I learned the affects of what running Ethanol can be.

 

Just FYI for any Canadians. G&B Fuels sells E0-91.

 

good info. thx.

 

This site has a comprehensive list.

https://www.pure-gas.org/