Gasoline

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by chuckm

I'll use Shell or Mobil; neither one (here at least) uses ethanol. Both are convenient and typically priced well.

Where does one find out information like this? The gas station attendants have never been able to give me a datasheet on what I'm buying.

[Christ]

Well, legally, you can request an MSDS on your fuel, and the company has to provide it, all though the station attendant probably can't. (Even though it's supposed to be on hand. AT ALL TIMES.)

Secondly - ALL publicly sold fuels in the US are REQUIRED as of 2008 to contain some measure of "renewable fuel content". Which was likely determined to be ethanol.

I suppose unless you can prove that your stations don't use Ethanol, I'm gonna have to call BS. From what I know, Ethanol is actually a requirement, not a choice.

Standard Program | Renewable Fuels | US EPA

[chuckm]

Robert,
Most stations in this area post a sticker up that says, "May contain up to 10%ethanol" if they choose to use a renewable blend.

Christ
I found this on that link:
Frequently asked questions
Notice these lines particularly:

Where can I purchase renewable fuel blends?
EPA does not require service stations or truck stops to sell renewable fuel blends. Therefore, it is possible that a particular renewable fuel blend won’t be available in some areas. If you have questions about renewable fuel content or availability, ask your local retailer.

and
May I continue to purchase fuel without a renewable component if I prefer to use it in my vehicle, lawnmower, or boat?
EPA does not require consumers to purchase renewable fuel blends. Some states mandate the use of renewable fuels, so fuel without a renewable component might not be available in some areas.

[Christ]

You're right, it doesn't require them to sell renewable fuel blends... but it DOES require major manufacturers to include it, and if you're buying from a National chain of gas stations, you're getting it, whether you think you are or not.

They're NOT required to label the pumps with the percentage of E in the Gas, unless it's E85 (There is a lower limit for when they have to start labeling it, but I'm not aware of the exact number.)

Sure, you have the right as a consumer to purchase fuel without E content. Good luck finding it, though.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by Christ

Guess what happens when you mix Shell V-Power and Chevron with Techron?

You get V-tech, y0!

shhhh. thats how i got my 9 second car

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by hyperyaris

Actually scientific studies have been done and Techron is shown to reduce sludge.

Who paid for the studies? Was there more than one lab running concurrent experiments? Did any lab come up with a different result?

"Independent labs" is a very good-sounding marketing term.

[hyperyaris]

Top Tier Gasoline ftw

[cfg83]

hyperyaris -

Originally Posted by hyperyaris

Top Tier Gasoline ftw

You made me look! I want to get gas from here :

Turkey Hill Minit Markets

A mini market specializing in one minit Turkeys, !

CarloSW2

[Big Dave]

Only way I see that a gasoline would help FE is if the gasoline had a very high octane rating, which would allow you to jack up the compression ratio and dial more spark advance, both of which improve engine efficiency.

There may be some brand to brand variation in heating value but it can't be much as they all have to meet API specs.

[chuckm]

You're right, it doesn't require them to sell renewable fuel blends... but it DOES require major manufacturers to include it, and if you're buying from a National chain of gas stations, you're getting it, whether you think you are or not.

Sorta. Again, from the FAQ:

Most refiners, blenders, and importers are required to use a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year beginning Sept. 1, 2007, and each year thereafter.

Right now, many of the refiners get by with producing enough E10 and E85 to satisfy their required amount of renewable fuel blended, then switching to standard gasoline as they are able. Production costs are still lower for standard gasoline because ethanol sources (ie, agri-sourced feedstocks, mainly corn) couldn't handle the whole nation on E10 and E85. Additionally, they also get credit for biodiesel refining, whose main domestic agri-feedstock is soy.
Also, the math on the FAQ shows that a substantial amount of standard gas is still being produced. The requirement, in 2007, was for 4% of the national fuel supply to come from renewable sources. The goal was exceeded by 25% in 2006. Assuming that 5% of the national supply in 2006 was renewable and has now grown to 8% (1% per year), that E85 accounted for a full 1% of that 8% (probably a conservative estimate given it's popularity in the corn states), and that biodiesel accounted for another .25%, we are left with 6.75%. That means that not quite half of the gas consumed is standard gasoline.