I must fall into that misconception catagory. Sorry guys.

I was under the impression that Ethanol was added into fuels used in cold climates to reduce emissions.

 

“Ethanol is an alcohol derived from corn.”

Yet another corn-fed Porsche.

 

They are really pushing bio-diesel (derived from soybean oil) to reduce emmissions in all weather conditions and increase lubricity in farm equipment.

Ethanol is said to reduce emmissions reguardless of climate as well. It supposedly helps with gas line freeze in the winter. I remember my Dad adding Heet to gas in the winter in his '69 Cutlass. I beleive that was pretty much just alcohol.

 

I have used Sunoco 94 for over 3 years with no problems and have used the same in my other vehicles. The only series of cars that Porsche does not recommend using ethanol blended gas is in the air cooler 911. Saw that in one of their owners manuals for an early 1990's car.

 

I know this rumor is out there, but who's spreading it? There's so much BS on so many topics, it's just hard to keep track of it all!

 

It would be very easy to draw that conclusion that ethanol burns hotter, because that's what we observe. I've read that 10% ethanol blended gasoline is 97% the energy density of regular gasoline so if my math is right, that would take you from 12.5:1 to 12.88:1 a/f ratio.

Now it seems to me that if ethanol burns cooler and has a higher anti knock index it's doubly good for turbo charged cars if you can adjust your fuel mixture to keep proper a/f ratios.

Justin