Cali shifting to 15% ethanol in gas

[r0tax]

My FoST with E30 tune vs 91 tune saw a difference of 2-5 MPG. Driven 'similarly'. My Best MPG was always on 91 (with the typical 10% eth).

But the gains from a custom tune on E30 was Very noticeable, to the point of addicting...and I always needed to find the next hit of E85... haha

Sponsored

 

[RR - All the way]

products cheaper elsewhere. Not going to mention the T word.

California, Along time ago I wanted to go there.

A long time ago, they would have probably welcomed you!!!

 

[dochawk]

Your MPG might slip a little, that's all.

ethanol has 2/3 the energy per volume of gasoline.

So there is about a 3% reduction at 10% ethanol, and about 4.5% at 15%.

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

It should, yes. While lower in energy by volume, ethanol has higher octane, allowing more aggressive spark advance and higher boost.

Reportedly, ecoboost engines use a 97 octane reference point, and downtime from there. If true, the additional octane in 15% would mean more boost (or rather, less detuning from 97).

California, Along time ago I wanted to go there.

Amazing the advances in anti-psychotic medications these last couple of decades, isn't it?

 

[CajunMick]

Work with couple Norwegian engineers, and we talk of US fuels….winter vs summer blends, alcohol added, etc. They claim their fuels are one stuff only, and no issues. Makes sense, huh?

 

[JMJB]

Will the price go down with the switch ...nah ....the governor loves collecting taxes ....

 

[ZABSMAV]

Quick question: Is there a particular chain of gas stations or combination convenience stores that have availability of pumping ethanol-free gasoline in California?

 

[todd92]

It should, yes. While lower in energy by volume, ethanol has higher octane, allowing more aggressive spark advance and higher boost.

No. 87 E0, 87 E10 and 87 E15 are all 87. Refiners mix in lower octane components with to account for the higher octane of the ethanol. E10/15 is NOT 87 E0 with the ethanol dumped on top.

 

[Howard]

Quick question: Is there a particular chain of gas stations or combination convenience stores that have availability of pumping ethanol-free gasoline in California?

Pure-gas.org lists availability of ethanol-free gas. But there are only a few locations listed for CA.

 

[surfstar]

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.

The law allows stations to sell up to 15%, doesn't require it.

Infrastructure may need to be updated, so not all stations will jump at it - but it will allow for a much lower price point and could drive (hah) people to that station if they see 20c less price per gallon.

I'll have to see if it lowers my MPG and what results in being the cheapest per mile.

 

[Cherokee]

Pure-gas.org lists availability of ethanol-free gas. But there are only a few locations listed for CA.

Californication is all about control.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

California, Along time ago I wanted to go there.

I moved here for a short term project for a lot of $. I stayed because of the weather.
Having grown up and gone to college in Oregon, I have already had a lifetime of rain. I enjoyed living in Summit County in Colorado, at the time, but 3-4 weeks of Summer weather is far too few.
There aren't really many setbacks in urban CA, it's the same as urban anywhere. Cost/income are relatively the same ratio as anyplace. I suppose people triggered by political soapboxing that is different than the political soapboxing they enjoy wouldn't feel comfortable, but seriously, you aren't ever exposed to it on a personal, going-about-your-business basis. Unless you're in politics. All the partisan terror mentioned by people who don't actually live here is sensationalized and cherry-picked for maximum effect. I have rarely experienced any of that. And I'm a Centrist; meaning that both polarized sides of Merkun political puppets hate me, as directed by their "leaders" (manipulators).

Anyway, where we live, we use the heater maybe 4-6 weeks of the year, and don't need AC. Money is very easy to make. I'm minutes from running and cycling trails along the shoreline and in the hills, and just a couple hours from wilderness, ski resorts, and other mountain activities. And less than an hour from near-wilderness along the coast. Also, being a big urban area, every store or product you can imagine is available with just a short drive. Gas costs maybe 10-20% more than national average, and electricity is 100%+ more than national average; we have a utility company that is for-profit with shareholders that has a monopoly in our area (PG&E). Traffic in the mornings sucks; especially now that school has started, and every single child gets a personal chauffeur ride to/from school by their parents, in individual cars. If I don't get out before 8am, it's like a 30 minute drive to go 3/4 of a mile to the freeway in the morning. So I usually just F around on the computer, like now, and wait until it dies down. CA has the highest and lowest elevations in the lower 48 (been to both several times), and numerous natural features and national parks that are world renowned. And not suffering frequent hurricanes, humidity, and Florida Man, there's no place in the country more pleasant to live. Earthquakes are a thing, but ones big enough to cause a problem are rare. We have a place on the Big Island in Hawai'i, and it's only pleasant in the "Winter" due to the heat and humidity. Even then, I have to go for my run before the Sun comes up above Hualalai or it's miserable. In the "Winter".

In conclusion; the positives of coastal CA outweigh the negatives in my opinion. Except the hellhole that is the Los Angeles Basin, but I suppose people get used to it, like a frog in a pot of water brought to a boil.

also, to keep on topic despite rambling, I don't notice ethanol gas being much different than zero ethanol gas for my style of driving. But I don't think I've used 15% before. My Sprinter was rated for up to B20 diesel, and I DID notice a difference in economy using it.

 

[Stcox205]

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!

 

[Cherokee]

Won’t matter unless you’re towing or climbing heavy. My Eco loves ethanol free in hot weather. I could damn sure feel it in hot days. Makes no difference in the cooler denser air of my Appalachian winters.

 

[Stcox205]

I moved here for a short term project for a lot of $. I stayed because of the weather.
Having grown up and gone to college in Oregon, I have already had a lifetime of rain. I enjoyed living in Summit County in Colorado, at the time, but 3-4 weeks of Summer weather is far too few.
There aren't really many setbacks in urban CA, it's the same as urban anywhere. Cost/income are relatively the same ratio as anyplace. I suppose people triggered by political soapboxing that is different than the political soapboxing they enjoy wouldn't feel comfortable, but seriously, you aren't ever exposed to it on a personal, going-about-your-business basis. Unless you're in politics. All the partisan terror mentioned by people who don't actually live here is sensationalized and cherry-picked for maximum effect. I have rarely experienced any of that. And I'm a Centrist; meaning that both polarized sides of Merkun political puppets hate me, as directed by their "leaders" (manipulators).

Anyway, where we live, we use the heater maybe 4-6 weeks of the year, and don't need AC. Money is very easy to make. I'm minutes from running and cycling trails along the shoreline and in the hills, and just a couple hours from wilderness, ski resorts, and other mountain activities. And less than an hour from near-wilderness along the coast. Also, being a big urban area, every store or product you can imagine is available with just a short drive. Gas costs maybe 10-20% more than national average, and electricity is 100%+ more than national average; we have a utility company that is for-profit with shareholders that has a monopoly in our area (PG&E). Traffic in the mornings sucks; especially now that school has started, and every single child gets a personal chauffeur ride to/from school by their parents, in individual cars. If I don't get out before 8am, it's like a 30 minute drive to go 3/4 of a mile to the freeway in the morning. So I usually just F around on the computer, like now, and wait until it dies down. CA has the highest and lowest elevations in the lower 48 (been to both several times), and numerous natural features and national parks that are world renowned. And not suffering frequent hurricanes, humidity, and Florida Man, there's no place in the country more pleasant to live. Earthquakes are a thing, but ones big enough to cause a problem are rare. We have a place on the Big Island in Hawai'i, and it's only pleasant in the "Winter" due to the heat and humidity. Even then, I have to go for my run before the Sun comes up above Hualalai or it's miserable. In the "Winter".

In conclusion; the positives of coastal CA outweigh the negatives in my opinion. Except the hellhole that is the Los Angeles Basin, but I suppose people get used to it, like a frog in a pot of water brought to a boil.

also, to keep on topic despite rambling, I don't notice ethanol gas being much different than zero ethanol gas for my style of driving. But I don't think I've used 15% before. My Sprinter was rated for up to B20 diesel, and I DID notice a difference in economy using it.

Pretty spot on with your analysis of day to day life in Cali. Thanks for perspective.

 

[RR - All the way]

Californication is all about control.

Hmm., Carofornication is also about control. Put a member of each political party in a paper bag, shake it up and dump it. Either member may come out first and the other last.
Some good and some bad................

Sponsored