Using Ethanol Free Gas = VROOM!

[Biscuit]

That's the opposite of what most people report, which makes sense considering that Ethanol is higher octane and the computer will adjust timing and fuel pulse to compensate which adds power.

Typically, on non-ethanol fuel you'll see less power and more fuel economy.

^This.

Another common misconception is that higher octane = more power.

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[ILikeTacos]

Yep, you can just keep throwing timing at the motor!

Exactly, it doesn't make more power it keeps the car from pre-detonation (knock).

 

[ILikeTacos]

I filled up the JLR with top tier ethanol free 87 octane gas. There is a noticeable increase in power. I can't say anything about improved MPG, because my driving habits are so variable, it's tough to make a good comparison without effort. And price wise, it was maybe ten cents more a gallon than a nearby corporate gas station (Chevron). I'll need to pay attention to the temp gauges, because it may run 5'ish degrees F hotter.

FYI- first time I've used ethanol free gas.

FYI I use Pure Gas Org (free iphone app). It's really well done.

Just playing. I think your butt dyno is broke.

 

[SilverSahara]

I filled up the JLR with top tier ethanol free 87 octane gas. There is a noticeable increase in power. I can't say anything about improved MPG, because my driving habits are so variable, it's tough to make a good comparison without effort. And price wise, it was maybe ten cents more a gallon than a nearby corporate gas station (Chevron). I'll need to pay attention to the temp gauges, because it may run 5'ish degrees F hotter.

FYI- first time I've used ethanol free gas.

FYI I use Pure Gas Org (free iphone app). It's

I’m always in Redmond, which station is that sold?

 

[Grousemont]

I’m always in Redmond, which station is that sold?

Issaquah Grange across from xxx drive-in

 

[Biscuit]

Exactly, it doesn't make more power it keeps the car from pre-detonation (knock).

The correct term is pre-ignition, not pre-detonation.

 

[ILikeTacos]

The correct term is pre-ignition, not pre-detonation.

Sorry about that, point is the same, gas ignites (or blows up, catches fire, detonates) before it is supposed to causing your rod to exit the side of your block. You want to correct me on my bad terminology there too?

 

[Amric]

Ethanol has less energy than pure gas. Simple as that. Ethanol just has more octane,so can make more power if under boost or in a condition or engine design where more octane is required. But if they are both rated at 87 octane, than that advantage is traded for other additives.

 

[DanW]

I filled up the JLR with top tier ethanol free 87 octane gas. There is a noticeable increase in power. I can't say anything about improved MPG, because my driving habits are so variable, it's tough to make a good comparison without effort. And price wise, it was maybe ten cents more a gallon than a nearby corporate gas station (Chevron). I'll need to pay attention to the temp gauges, because it may run 5'ish degrees F hotter.

FYI- first time I've used ethanol free gas.

FYI I use Pure Gas Org (free iphone app). It's really well done.

If I had ethanol free 87 for only 10 cents more per gallon anywhere around, that's all I'd run. We've got ethanol free, but it is 91 octane and is significantly more per gallon. I'll run it in my JK occasionally, as the 3.8 really wakes up with it, with better power but also better mileage. I tried a half tank once in the JL and it didn't make as much difference. I'll try a full tank at some point.

 

[DanW]

Sorry, dupe due to jacked up wireless network.

 

[DanW]

^This.

Another common misconception is that higher octane = more power.

That is engine dependent. Ethanol gives off fewer BTU's than gasoline. BTU's equal power. If an engine compensates for higher octane, it could make more power, but I'd bet it would, at best, break even. The 3.6 won't compensate for higher octane enough to produce more power. It is rated the same on 87 as it would be with 93. However, my Mercedes E430 does compensate, with up to 91 octane. If I run ethanol free 91 octane in it, it makes more power and gets slightly better mileage than premium fuel with 10% ethanol, which is actually 93. The 4.3 V8 in that car can only adjust for up to 91, though, so the other two octane points are worthless. The fact is, 87 gasoline has more BTU's than the same amount of 93 with ethanol.

 

[ALRUI]

e100 is 100% ethanol
e85 is 85% ethanol
Most gas around me is e10 by label but most likely varies.

I’m going to check that app to find ethanol free fuel by me but I don’t think it exists anymore in my area unless I purchase from airport or boat shop.

I’ve read ethanol is bad for the fuel components due to oxidation/water?

Correct ethanol IS bad for components that arent designed to use it such as older vehicles, outdoor equipment, etc. I've seen plenty of damaged components on older equipment but modern designs that are built with ethanol use in mind are fine. That said there may be those cutting corners or making mistakes in specifying said components!

 

[Equitasforall]

I filled up the JLR with top tier ethanol free 87 octane gas. There is a noticeable increase in power. I can't say anything about improved MPG, because my driving habits are so variable, it's tough to make a good comparison without effort. And price wise, it was maybe ten cents more a gallon than a nearby corporate gas station (Chevron). I'll need to pay attention to the temp gauges, because it may run 5'ish degrees F hotter.

FYI- first time I've used ethanol free gas.

FYI I use Pure Gas Org (free iphone app). It's really well done.

So in my little experiment so far, I get the best mileage and best performance with about half tank of 87 ethanol free and half tank of Exxon 93. This is in the V6 Rubicon - Automatic. My Raptor (Twin turbo v-6) on half tank of 93 ethanol free and 93 Sunoco is insane.

 

[Nyjet123]

I run 91 ethanol free on occasion when I’m not driving much, helps for longer term storage. 91 also helps as its a bit higher than the usual 87 e10 i use bc as it was pointed out earlier ethanol adds a bit of octane (or really the feel of it) so the 91 keeps the power at a steady level (not sure how to explain what i mean haha). That said, these newer engines (regardless of if it’s the same design, components are upgraded) are designed to run with e10 gas so it really isn’t going to make a world of difference like it would in a tj for example.

 

[Onyx Dragon]

Come on it doesn’t make any more power than blended fuels. You will see increased fuel mileage but you won’t see any increase in power.

This is correct. Fuels with ethanol in it have a higher knock resistence, so you can run more timing. Fuel without ethanol has a lower knock resistence, so timing will be pulled by the computer in order to fight knock, or it will throw more fuel in.

Engines like the 3.6 in a Wrangler application are only going to up timing so much. The engines in the F-bodies, challengers, etc., will have a higher limit, but even they will only go so high (stock).

When you fill up , the computer pushes timing higher and higher until it sees knock, backs off a couple degrees, and runs there. At least GMs use to do that, not sure if that's the case with Chrysler cars.

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