I recently filled up with a tank of high test with 10%, or less, ethanol. I didn't realize it had ethanol in it until I noticed a corn sicker on the gas pump stating "Contains less than 10% Ethanol . I haven't noticed any performance problems after burning a half tank. Should I stay away from using this percent Ethanol in the future. Anybody have any problems with using Ethanol added to high test (93 octane) gas?

 

I have been using fuel with ethanol in it since day one...it is law in CO, so no choice. It should not harm your car.

 

I was not aware that it was Colorado law. What percent ethanol are you running?

 

I thought its in all of our gas around the country

 

Is that right? News to me.

 

It's not everywhere. Some states still don't mandate it...yet. When I lived in FL, they didn't have ethanol in the gas, but here in IL and MO it's mandatory. If I had a choice I wouldn't use it, but unfortunately I don't.

 

I think its here in Fl now, I will take notice next time at the pump

 

10%...been law for years here. I occasionally put some VP 100 or 105 in just for fun (but it all has at least 10%. They are discussing changing the law to 15%

 

The Chevon station that I usually fill up at in Orlando does not have it....yet. I guess we are all looking at going green one way or another...maybe not such a bad thing.

 

Its BS!! All the stations have switched here in Miami but the prices went UP. I paid 4.20 a gallon yesterday.

 

will running 100 octane improve performance on a stock car?

 

100 will improve your performance only if you have been running low octane gas,
if so it will then run the boost and timing that it is supposed to.

ALL the gas I run has Ethanol in it (MN pump gas and VP racing fuels MS109),
it seems to work perfectly.

MK

 

What Marty said

 

I'm not sure what all the fuss about buying gasoline with 10% ethanol (E10) is about. In case you didn't know, with equal octane ratings, an ethanol based gasoline will produce more hp than normal gasoline. Without getting too scientific, it takes 35% more ethanol to produce the same amount of energy as gasoline in an internal combustion engine. Sounds weaker right? No. The added fuel per air ratio increases cooling and exhaust output. Lower temps = increased power. Higher exhaust output = better turbo spool. Ethanol is also an oxygenator - meaning it brings oxygen to the combustion process on it's own. There's a reason high hp drag cars run ahcohol - aspirated or not.

The only negative is since it takes more fuel to produce a specific amount of energy, it will decrease gas mileage ever so slightly on E10. If you've heard it eats rubber seals and is corrosive, that's very untrue at E10 levels or even E85 levels. Methanol on the other hand has an abusive relationship with aluminum and rubber, but vastly increases all the positives I mentioned earlier. Methanol is toxic when coming into contact with skin and inhalation - moreso than gasoline. On the other hand, ethanol is safe to drink - in moderation of course.

Cheers,
John H

 

so no one has had fuel pump replacement issues, seals, etc?