Did an experiment: Ethanol, versus non-ethanol

[Steven Pederson]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Decided to do a little experiment to see what my MPG difference is between running the tank of ethanol E10 fuel found in all regular unleaded, and running a tank of non ethanol in non-oxy premium fuel. Test car was the 2002 Chevy Malibu with 230,000 miles; both tanks were burned driving to and from work only. Weather was about the same during the two tanks. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]First tank: Ethanol: 302 Miles burning 10.6 gallons of fuel: 28.4mpg.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Second tank: Non Ethanol: 330.4 miles burning 10.2 gallons of fuel: 32.4 MPG. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]That is a difference of: 14% in the vehicle. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Now, I don’t believe that fuel alone made this much of a difference, the two tanks were burned with driving to and from work only, I tried to drive the same, but I think subconsciously I may have been easier on the pedal with the non-oxy….. I also tried to get as much in the tank as possible when I filled the car, I also filled both tanks up at around ¼ tank.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]So, if fuel was purchased today, ethanol it would cost: $.12/ mile: non ethanol: $.11/mile.[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]I’m thinking as long as they are within 10% of each other at the station, I’ll fill with the non-oxy. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[PJM]

Steve

Good Information and your mileage is better then the EPA on that vehicle which is 20/29. I have owned several V-6 and never got close of 30mpg.......

[Jerryv]

How much did you pay for the non-oxy? It looks like premium is usually about 20 cents a gallon more, but the non-oxy is probably higher. 3.69 vs 3.89 is only a 5.5% increase in cost.

28.4MPG x .12 = $3.41/gal

32.4MPG x .11 = $3.56/gal

Roundoff?



Jerry

[T Mac]

The percentage you give has been about like my experience, too.

[Phil T]

My 1T pickup and my wife's Honda Accord both suffer a 20% mileage penalty with 10% ethanol. We actually burn more petroleum with ethanol.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

I have always heard 15% loss with ETOH fuel. Looks like you are right on.

[bigdaddyguns]

Ethanol has 67% of the energy of gasoline for equal volume (gallon) so there will be a drop in mpg when it is mixed in. I ran some tests on my own car years ago and for that particular vehicle I would get 15-22% less mpg with E85 vs gas (E10). Your results are within expectations. Bottom line E85 has to be at least 25% cheaper than regular unleaded for there to be a cost benefit.

[Steven Pederson]

[QUOTE=Jerryv;1425863]How much did you pay for the non-oxy? It looks like premium is usually about 20 cents a gallon more, but the non-oxy is probably higher. 3.69 vs 3.89 is only a 5.5% increase in cost.

28.4MPG x .12 = $3.41/gal

32.4MPG x .11 = $3.56/gal

Roundoff?



Jerry[/QUOTE]

Your right, i need to go back to the same station and see what the difference is, i filled up about two weeks apart, so the prices had changed, need to look at current prices for both.

[tshot]

I have also ran tests with my wife's new Ford escape. The results were very similar to yours and maybe lean a little more towards the non-oxy. It all depends on what you pay for non-oxy. Tshot

[yarcraft91]

Steve:

Interesting experiment. Consider running one more test to remove a variable. Fill up with ethanol-blend premium to eliminate the effect of higher octane allowing more spark advance by your car's computer-controlled ignition system. See what kind fuel mileage you get compared to the non-ethanol premium- more of an apples-to-apples comparison.