DanW
Well-Known Member
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In the Top Tier fuel thread, I mentioned I would get an ethanol test kit. Well, it came, so I filled a gas can with some Shell regular 87 octane gas and tested it tonight.
I had heard that it is now typical for fuel not to have the advertised level of ethanol in it because gasoline is cheaper. I had even heard of E85 being more like E70, or 70% ethanol instead of the advertised 85%. The funny thing was seeing someone say they felt cheated, not realizing that they were getting the better end of the bargain with more gasoline in the mix, which has more btu's, and thus, more power and fuel economy.
Anyway, I tested the Shell gas from a station that I frequent about 30% of the time when I fill up my Jeeps. I chose it over the one I use mostly because prices rose today and this station was $2.37 per gallon while my favorite was at $2.69.
So, I first put water up to the water fill line...
I then filled it precisely to the proper line with the Shell gasoline, shook it up, and then let it sit for a few minutes. The water mixes with the ethanol, and then the gasoline floats on top of it. The raised level can then be read as a percentage. Of course you have to really eyeball it.
As you can see, it is well below 10%, which is a very good thing. I'll call it 6%. That really makes it hard to justify seeking out and paying more for ethanol free gas. It also might explain why my JK 3.8 runs a little better the last year to 18 months, assuming the ethanol content is less.
I'll test it again from another Shell station and then maybe one more brand, like BP or 66. While the additive package is different for the brands, the gasoline comes from the same refinery, so I will expect the ethanol content to be the same, unless it varies by batch. I will also do it again when we get to the changeover to winter formulation. I might also do a test on V-power, just for kicks. It will be interesting to see what we find.
I had heard that it is now typical for fuel not to have the advertised level of ethanol in it because gasoline is cheaper. I had even heard of E85 being more like E70, or 70% ethanol instead of the advertised 85%. The funny thing was seeing someone say they felt cheated, not realizing that they were getting the better end of the bargain with more gasoline in the mix, which has more btu's, and thus, more power and fuel economy.
Anyway, I tested the Shell gas from a station that I frequent about 30% of the time when I fill up my Jeeps. I chose it over the one I use mostly because prices rose today and this station was $2.37 per gallon while my favorite was at $2.69.
So, I first put water up to the water fill line...
I then filled it precisely to the proper line with the Shell gasoline, shook it up, and then let it sit for a few minutes. The water mixes with the ethanol, and then the gasoline floats on top of it. The raised level can then be read as a percentage. Of course you have to really eyeball it.
As you can see, it is well below 10%, which is a very good thing. I'll call it 6%. That really makes it hard to justify seeking out and paying more for ethanol free gas. It also might explain why my JK 3.8 runs a little better the last year to 18 months, assuming the ethanol content is less.
I'll test it again from another Shell station and then maybe one more brand, like BP or 66. While the additive package is different for the brands, the gasoline comes from the same refinery, so I will expect the ethanol content to be the same, unless it varies by batch. I will also do it again when we get to the changeover to winter formulation. I might also do a test on V-power, just for kicks. It will be interesting to see what we find.
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