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Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 3:59 pm
by dolphinatic
Anybody else noticed a decrease in gas mileage here lately? I have been averaging 35 mpg in my Geo over the past 3 years here in the Tallahassee area. Over the past month, my mpg has decreased from 35 to 25. I have a 1.3 ltr 4 cylinder that was even tuned up recently (plug, wires, cap, rotor, etc...) Runs great and I am constantly running the AC, but not to the tune of a 10 mpg decrease. I have checked for fuel leaks...none. No "tomfoolery" going on with a "Kansas City credit card" either....that's siphoning for anyone confused. I am going to fill up with a non-ethanol fuel for the next 2 weeks and see what happens. Just curious....
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 4:53 pm
by Barhopr
The heat robs a lot of hp from an engine.
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 5:27 pm
by Harmsway
Let us know the outcome of your test, Dolphinatic.

Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 5:36 pm
by dolphinatic
Barhopr wrote:The heat robs a lot of hp from an engine.
Not alot to rob in a 1.3

Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 6:26 pm
by Jumptrout51
I have noticed your belt has been let out 4 notches lately. It cost a lot more to haul lard,just ask Bad Behavior.
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 8:52 pm
by FUTCHCAIRO
IT IS THE ETHANOL FUEL. WE HAVE OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS GOTTEN 31-32 MPG ON OUR MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS . THE LAST 6 MONTHS, SINCE I STARTED USING ETHANOL GAS, OUR MILEAGE HAS DROPPED TO 28 MPG, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT DAMAGE I AM DOING TO MY FUEL SYSTEM, IF IT IS LIKE WITH A OURBOARD MOTOR I AM PROBABLY DETERIORATING MY FUEL LINES, CARB. ETC. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA FUEL COST OR NOT BUT I AM GOING STRAIGHT GAS WITHOUT ETHANOL. THE GRAND MARQUIS WE HAVE IS ONE OF THE LAST ONES THAT FORD MADE, IT HAS GOT TO LAST ME TIL I DIE SINCE I WILL NOT BUY AND OF THE JUNK THAT HAS BEEN MADE SINCE 2010. FORD HAS DECIDED TO NOT MAKE ANYMORE BIG VEHICLES, EVEN THOUGH THEY GET BETTER MILEAGE THAN MOST OF THE SMALLER CARS PRODUCED TODAY. BAD MOVE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.
PA
SEMPER FI
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 9:20 pm
by Barhopr
A 10-15% decrease in hp has a much greater effect on your 1.3l geo than on my 4L yota. Prolly the combined effects of E gas and the heat.
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 28th, 2011, 10:25 pm
by Flint River Pirate
Wow, 10 mpg is a huge decline. However I wish I could see 25!
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 6:21 am
by fishinfool
Are you running regular fuel with 10% ethanol, or E85? Big difference between them. The E85% ethanol where the regular is only 10%. All of it has less energy than unblended gasoline. The E85 has the least. Using corn(food) to make fuel, who would have thunk it?
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 10:03 am
by FUTCHCAIRO
SOMETHING ELSE I LEFT OUT ON MY POST, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO USE 2 FUEL FILTERS IN THE FUEL LINE IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE E-10 OR E-85 ON YOUR OUTBOARD ENGINE.
MY .02C
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 2:11 pm
by Dubble Trubble
It is a known fact that 10% ethanol will decrease mileage by about 10%. So, you ask what is the use in even mixing ethanol in gas? EXACTLY. Just plain politics. Now you understand why it makes no sense to do.....
But the public is just dumb enough to be convinced to think they are doing something "green" by using ethanol fuel. It also takes more energy to make a gallon of ethanol than it does a gallon of gas. So, there goes the reduced "green footprint".
Dubble

Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 5:53 pm
by dolphinatic
Experiment starts tonight. Filled up with 93 non-ethanol and am driving all day tomorrow to the coast and back for work. We'll see....
Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 5:57 pm
by Barhopr
93 in a Geo?
That's straight up Baller right there boys!

Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 29th, 2011, 7:10 pm
by dolphinatic
Barhopr wrote:93 in a Geo?
That's straight up Baller right there boys!

damn straight, yo.....that's how I roll
Just wait till hunting season gets here. I'm gonna break the old record for how many deer I can get in it. Gonna look like Troy's gator boat

Re: Ethanol reduced gas mileage???
Posted: August 30th, 2011, 6:04 am
by MudDucker
You gents need to be careful. With his campaign in full swing, Santa Obama is gonna cut you off from his magical guberment treat wagon!
Ethanol, as it is done here in the US, is the greatest guberment boondoggle in modern history.