The problem in Tahoe was from watercraft fuel spills and the VERY poor design of some jetskis. I had a Yamaha 1100 that would speckle you all over if you stood behind the jet and started it. As a matter of fact, I felt guilty using the damn thing and traded them in!

~old timer, it's been over 5 years since I was actually a blender (the person who actually makes gas (blends the components, get it) so I am not sure -but we Used to make different batches to go to AZ. And NV. I'll have to inquire to see if thats still the practice.

 

I know that when using oxygenated fuels during the winters here in the Norteast, my mileage usually drops about 1.5-2 mpg. One rumour I heard is that by oxygenating fuel you are effectively tricking your computer controlled ignition to running rich, and that's the reason for the poorer mileage. If this is true it's just more "greenie-weenie" Eco-pagan nonsense from the powers that be. Anyone know if this is correct information??

 

Two things are happening to make your mileage worse in the winter. The first, which holds true if where you are buying gasoline switches to an oxy blend in the winter, and does not use oxy fuels in the summer, has only to do with the energy content of MTBE or Ethanol. On a per unit basis, MTBE and ethanol contain less energy that a unit of straight gasoline. As a result, you must burn slightly more to produce the same energy. This results in slightly lower gas mileage than straight gasoline, generally between 1 and 5%, depending on the vehicle. My '97 F150 records show a 3% decrease in mileage using oxy fuel vs. staright gasoline. That works out on my '97 as being the difference between 16.9 mpg and about 17.4 on non-oxy fuels.

The other difference is the colder weather in the winter. Your engine spends a longer time running in open loop mode, using the presets built into the computer instead of optimizing based on all the input sensors. This results in increased fuel consumption. In addition, you tend to spend more time idling and warming up.

To put it in perspective, my 97 gets about 18.5 mpg in the summer and 15 mpg or so in the winter (I also don't tend to drive as much in the winter either). In Minnesota, we havy oxy fuel all year long by state law, so that tends to be a non factor in those numbers.

 

Hi Bikenut and alls those contributing to this thread.

I got curious again...this site does that to me.

If Arco etc. is switching from "mtbe" to "ethanol" Will that be used year round? Also do you think that will be "pump" posted saying "ethanol" etc. Like i saw in Oregon...contains 10% ethanol.

Pumps here indicate...oxy. added during winter mths. for air pollution. Dont know about all brands..but some i use dont say whats added.

Is 'mtbe' used year round in Ca. (other brands) or just winter months? You may/maynot know?

MPG not great with our trucks...could get even worse in the not to distant future. Maybe/maybe not? Will mileage drop off all year long or just the winter months or?? I realize more to this..just curious.

Tks...Good luck...OT

 

I believe that CA uses the oxygenate year around in its fuels. If that is the case, then yes, CA fuel will have ethanol in it at all times.

Whether or not it gets posted on the pumps depends on state law and the station operator. Here, all fuel contains ethanol all the time by state law. It used to be that folks who sold ethanol blended fuels marked thier pumps, but now the only pumps that have to be marked are the "premium" pumps that dispense non-oxy premium. Otherwise, its pretty hit and miss.

Mileage will drop year around if ethanol is used year around, regardless of weather.

 

ya, what he said

 

Hi Guys...

Tks. for update.

Im planning on upgrade to a SD....thought originally PSD...but figured it wouldnt work $$$ for me. V10 would, even thou less mpg etc. Thought id figured it all out...now not so sure?

If Ca. does totally ban 'mtbe'...and does go to totally 'ethanol' will we get same gas here in my area? I know no one knows at this time...but...as mentioned earlier...when they dropped 92 to 91oct, same happened here. Our gas is pumped in (pipeline) from refineries in Ca.

Looks like another crap shoot for me...Geez!

OT

btw...anyone have a crystal ball

 

Ethanol is on its way to you