Cali shifting to 15% ethanol in gas

[Stcox205]

CA is in the process of increasing ethanol from 10% to 15% in the fuel mixture sold in the state. Is this a concern if used in the 2.5 hybrid engine in the 2025 Mav. Thanks

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[phoneguyinpgh]

Shouldn't be an issue... Your MPG might slip a little, that's all.

 

[SafetyGuy]

CA is in the process of increasing ethanol from 10% to 15% in the fuel mixture sold in the state. Is this a concern if used in the 2.5 hybrid engine in the 2025 Mav. Thanks

Good day.

A quick perusal of our 2025 Maverick Lariat Hybrid literature has provided the following information.

So, no worries for you as to using 15% Ethanol fuel in your Maverick...and the environment thanks you in advance!

Andy

 

[OWP]

I wonder if the extra ethanol would raise the ceiling a bit on the timing or boost we can run in the turbo motors.

 

[Chops]

California law requires use of a “winter fuel” every year. Begins in November every year. Not sure what changes in the fuel..,

 

[Stcox205]

California law requires use of a “winter fuel” every year. Begins in November every year. Not sure what changes in the fuel..,

Per the article the 15% will be the new mix for fuel. Currently 10%. Agree CA does go a differ Blend in winter but, I think, 10% was the max ethanol for fuel that is not the specific ethanol fuel.

 

[SafetyGuy]

California law requires use of a “winter fuel” every year. Begins in November every year. Not sure what changes in the fuel..,

Good day Chops

I had a generic answer to your query from when I was trained to take care of a tactical helicopter sqn's fuel supply tank system (one of many secondary duties you can end up responsible for, when you are an RCAF Aviation Tech).

It is a good answer, but I thought a more in depth answer would be of more assistance.

So, here you go, from Gas Buddy....see pages attached below.

It is all about evaporation of the fuel in warmer temperatures (leading to worse smog and polution) and it's ability to ignite in colder temperatures so our engines can start.

This is not a California thing, is is done all over.

Added benefit of the ethanol is we don't need to add ethanol in extremely cold locations to prevent water from freezing up our fuel systems.

I could go on about the negative side of ethanol being added, but that would answer a different question so we will save that one for another thread...except that if your fuel sits for a month or two, just add an ethanol appropriate fuel stabilizer!

Just thought of one more point, they also produce Arctic (winter) Diesel...have you ever seen summer diesel at -40c/-40f? It Gels. I have, and it won't work till it gets warmed up.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Cherokee]

California, Along time ago I wanted to go there.
:’P

 

[Chops]

Good day Chops

I had a generic answer to your query from when I was trained to take care of a tactical helicopter sqn's fuel supply tank system (one of many secondary duties you can end up responsible for, when you are an RCAF Aviation Tech)….
.
.

Thank you for your service and also an informative response.

It seems California should be reducing the ethanol as winter approaches instead of increasing it from 10% to 15%? Oh well, they do have that “endless summer” over there. Thanks again!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

CA is in the process of increasing ethanol from 10% to 15% in the fuel mixture sold in the state. Is this a concern if used in the 2.5 hybrid engine in the 2025 Mav. Thanks

No.

ALL new engines since I think 2009 are certified to use 15%.

To be honest, I used 25% in my Escape Hybrid when I was living in Minnesota and the truck loved it.

25% was like 40 cents cheaper; and only 1 MPG loss compared to the most common 10%.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Thank you for your service and also an informative response.

It seems California should be reducing the ethanol as winter approaches instead of increasing it from 10% to 15%? Oh well, they do have that “endless summer” over there. Thanks again!

You are very welcome, of course!

Andy

 

[Chops]

California, Along time ago I wanted to go there.

A few years ago I moved away from there.

They did a tax audit of me shortly after I left and demanded about $900. Ignored the request - but they raided my checking account eventually.

Happy here in the desert southwest!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Thank you for your service and also an informative response.

It seems California should be reducing the ethanol as winter approaches instead of increasing it from 10% to 15%? Oh well, they do have that “endless summer” over there. Thanks again!

The coldest states: Minnesota & North Dakota only lower E85 (85% ethanol) to 70% ethanol in winter.

70% ethanol with 30% gasoline will start your car at -40 or even -50. But coldest I got while living there was -26.

 

[r0tax]

I wonder if the extra ethanol would raise the ceiling a bit on the timing or boost we can run in the turbo motors.

Yes.
Ecoboost loves Ethanol. E30 allows for big gains alone.
Still hopeful for even more eth. in the 2025s with DI and PI. E50???

Ethanol will decrease fuel mileage, but allow for great gains in timing, (reducing knock).
Peak Boost, is likely limited by the stock turbo sizing.

Regardless, in any case the poopy Auto Trans is the biggest restriction to this platform..and its a big dissapoint.

The 2025s/Lobo should have had an up-rated trans solution.
By my understanding even at 277 lb-ft they are over the 'rated' torque for this trans.
Its really quite stupid.
And is likely why its tuned to be so lazy/sluggish off a hard hit from low RPM/0 Mph...to preserve the weak Trans.

Where as the old Focus ST/RS 6MT would eat 300-350+ torque all day, and if you want to push to 400+, you change clutch components to handle that.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Plotting ethanol percent vs, MPG most engines see a bump, a camel hump, a bell shaped hump in the positive between 20% and 40% ethanol content.

Not sure why. But I experimented with my Escape all the way up to 50% ethanol. Truck never missed a beat. And low & behold, I had lowest cost per mile at 25% ethanol.

Pure gas will always net highest miles per gallon, but it tends to be expensive.

While 25% was lower MPG, it was cheapest to drive with it.

They won't tell you at any dealer, but the engine control units are programmed handle 35% ethanol in pretty much every vehicle.

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