Bad Gas

[teed off]

To add insult to injury, not only have the gas companies been gorging us at the pumps it seems they're also manipulating the gas to force us to the pumps more often. Someone told me, and not confirmed, that gas companies have been formulating the gas in such a manner that it doesnt burn as efficiently and causing us to get less gas mileage in our vehicles. I am sure most of you heard about what happened in Milwaukee? Stations were shutdown because of bad gas.

To verify the story I did an impromtu survey and asked people I know monitor their gas mileage was. Everyone I asked, who regulary checked gas mileage, said they noticed they had been getting between 2-4 less mgps.

Now I'll ask a much broader audience. Have any of you noticed a change?

If this confirms, we should all be mad as heck. No only are we being soaked at the pump but we are being forced to use more.

[SetTheHook]

Can't help you out. My gas mileage is as good as it has ever been, driving in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota.

[EAGLE EYES]

When gas is so expensive, it leads everyone to think they are getting the worst mileage possible! I personally have been getting better gas mileage because, I don't put open er' up as often as I did when gas was cheeper! :-) Reminds me of the old Sammy Hagar tune... "I can't drive 55" Hehheh!

[Brad]

Thought you might be interested to know that the formulation of fuel has been modified for summer. If you live around the Chicago area the fuel you get has been formulated to reduce emissions. The Canadians tried the same thing a couple of years ago with a material called MTBE. You got some alcohol and another chemical. Normally you will see a reduction in mileage with this type of material. The mix for the summer is normally colder anyway. Meaning that the vapor pressure is less to control vapor lock. The new material has added to the problem. The news has been covering some of this issue now that the price is up. The excuse being the emmission material is expensive.

[Paul CLW]

Sorry, but I agree in part with Brad. I am a gas transporter. Gas is formulated in the spring to reduce vapor. Ethanol is a gas additive to help the farm economy and to also help reduce the need for crude oil. Beware, ethanol has the ablility to absorb some moisture but can also become saturated and turn into a milky looking substance that can plug gas filters and lines. It also can act as a "stripper" when it comes into contact with rust. It can loosen the practicals.

You may just need a tune up;new plugs, wires, timing checked. With the escalation of consumer product prices, auto maintenance is one item that becomes put off or just plain over-looked.