Top Tier vs Ethanol free gas?

[Darksider]

Top teir all the way. No additives needed, they include them already. This is why manufacture recommend top teir. Ethanol free might get you better gas mileage but then a additive like techron would be wise to use but this addivtive might offset the benefits of the MPG you get..

There will be now power change between the too.. But ethanol in the properly tuned vehicle in high mixutre rates will provide more power over straight gas due to the anti knock properties. Which let you run more timing which in turn equals more power.

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[DryHeat]

Sadly due to government subsidies ethanol is sold for less money than it costs to produce. ... Ultimately our taxes go to support this.

Not only that... our general taxes subsidize the roads we drive on. Only about half the cost comes from taxes on gasoline, fees, etc. It's a damn shame...

 

[olderbudwiser]

Not only that... our general taxes subsidize the roads we drive on. Only about half the cost comes from taxes on gasoline, fees, etc. It's a damn shame...

I always though infrastructure was a responsibility of taxes.

Not picking winners and losers in commodities.

 

[DryHeat]

I always though infrastructure was a responsibility of taxes.

Funny thing about taxes... People want them spent on things they like and not on things they don't like.

The same with government... People think its proper job is to do the things they want done and not the things they don't want done.

It would work perfectly, except... not everybody likes the same things.

So now we have lobbyists, which pretty much nobody likes. That's progress...

 

[oilman300]

The only station near me is selling ethanol free gas for 40 cents per gallon more than regular unleaded. is the extra mileage worth the extra cost?

 

[bgillen35]

Noticed this today while perusing the owners manual...

 

[fbov]

The only station near me is selling ethanol free gas for 40 cents per gallon more than regular unleaded. is the extra mileage worth the extra cost?

Absolutely not! But if you want really good mileage, it's an enabler.

Under ideal conditions, I saw about 8% difference in the C-Max, so there will always be a net cost, and may not be any benefit under some circumstances (high speed driving). Conversely, every tank goes farther and you can get spoiled bypassing the pump.

 

[mikelowrey]

If you aren’t driving a lot, I might say go with the top teir for the added detergents, then add a fuel stabilizer to each tank.

If you aren’t driving a lot, I might say go with the top teir for the added detergents, then add a fuel stabilizer to each tank.

In the Ford Maverick manual it requires “87 Octane” which is just regular gas. Why pay more when the manufacturer requires less?

 

[Mavman123]

The previous post was correct when they mentioned that the only benefit of ethanol free gas is slightly increased mpg, somewhere in the 3 to 5% range. Ethanol free gas is much more than 3 to 5% more expensive than E10/E15, therefore is a waste of money. Those worrying about fuel system issues due to ethanol in the fuel need not worry, your vehicle will be at end of life due to another problem far before ethanol in the fuel was the cause of its demise.

Unless your vehicle specifically requires fuel greater than 87 octane, you are wasting your money buying premium. The benefit of premium fuels (>87 octane) is for knock resistance in high compression/ high performance engines. In those cases, using 87 in a car that requires 93 will result in lower mpg due to timing adjustments the car will attempt to make, and possibly damage due to knocking.

 

[Darksider]

The previous post was correct when they mentioned that the only benefit of ethanol free gas is slightly increased mpg, somewhere in the 3 to 5% range. Ethanol free gas is much more than 3 to 5% more expensive than E10/E15, therefore is a waste of money. Those worrying about fuel system issues due to ethanol in the fuel need not worry, your vehicle will be at end of life due to another problem far before ethanol in the fuel was the cause of its demise.

Unless your vehicle specifically requires fuel greater than 87 octane, you are wasting your money buying premium. The benefit of premium fuels (>87 octane) is for knock resistance in high compression/ high performance engines. In those cases, using 87 in a car that requires 93 will result in lower mpg due to timing adjustments the car will attempt to make, and possibly damage due to knocking.

The owners manual states other wise, "
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer
(page 263)."

While the min is 87 apparently ford doesn't share your view of octane.

 

[Brian_J]

In the Ford Maverick manual it requires “87 Octane” which is just regular gas. Why pay more when the manufacturer requires less?

As I stated in the post you quoted, for the added detergents that are in top their gas, and the fact that gasoline loses octane over time. If the vehicle isn’t being driven much, and you’re starting with the minimum required octane, you could end up in a situation where the gas has degraded to something below the minimum requirements.

 

[mamboman777]

I've said it in another thread. I was using 87 octane in my Toyota Avalon Hybrid and was consistently getting 38MPH and Window Sticker said AVG MPG was 43 MPG. Friend had same car and said run ethanol free to get better mileage so I did. After 3 tanks I have consistently been getting 44 MPG. Got 44 in Toyota and then upgraded to Lexus and still getting 44 MPG. See my live Fuelly dashboard below in signature block.

So some may say buy the cheap crap. I say use the ethanol free, but as others mentioned you will pay a lot more. The value is up to you.

Ethanol gas has less potential energy than fossil fuel gasoline; it will always get better gas mileage. Is it worth it? Most math says no.

If you're using a top tier gasoline with proper detergents, I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

 

[vezpa]

This is what I buy for my lawn equipment. The pump is labeled as rec90.

Rec90 is the best gas out there. We use it in our boat and car in FL. Its usually not much more $ than mid grade 89 ethanol gas. Our car there is often stored for long periods and the non-ethanol gas doesnt break down like ethanol. Anyone who trully believes ethanol gas is just as good as pure gasoline is clueless. It produces a better spark/ignition and gets better mpg and doesnt gum up as much for people who drive less. Up North I have yet to find non-ethanol gas within 60 miles, even the large marina on Lake Michigan near me sells gas with ethanol. I would run Rec 90 in everything I own if I could.

 

[fishinmagician]

I will try it both ways and see what is better.

 

[SgtLip]

Ethanol gas has less potential energy than fossil fuel gasoline; it will always get better gas mileage. Is it worth it? Most math says no.

If you're using a top tier gasoline with proper detergents, I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

In Florida, Top Tier gas costs MORE than Ethanol Free.

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