beaverlake

So I just made the rounds on fuel here in the east side of Seattle with the following results:

1. Costco Top Tier, $2.32/gallon, 92 octane
2. Chevron Klahanie, $2.63/gallon, 92 octane (13.3% more than Costco)
3. Grange, Issaquah, $2.89/gallon, 92 octane, ethanol-free (9.9% more than Chevron, 24.6% more than Costco)

I've done some scratchpad math in the past regarding "energy equivalent pricing" for ethanol vs ethanol-free gas and the 10% or so price differential kinda sorta equaled out the 10% or so increase in "energy" in ethanol-free gas. Right now it seems like ethanol-free isn't worth it, especially since our cars have ECUs programmed to handle the mixture.

Does anyone think there is a realistic difference and a good reason to purchase ethanol-free fuel given the state of our cars' technology? Is there a good reason to even "move up" from Costco to Chevron?

Or is gas cheap enough right now that none of us cares or should care? Even so, are there other reasons to choose Chevron or ethanol-free?

gordon

todd92

E0 has 3.3% more energy than E10, not 10%. It never pays to use E0 for MPG reasons. E0 is really for boats, mowers, power equipment where carburetors+ethanol+infrequent use can create problems.

Costco gas is just as good as Chevron gas. The fact that you have the idea that using Chevron vs Costco is a 'move up' attests o the power of marketing.

STG

You sure the the ethanol free is 92 octane?

Do a tank for ethanol free and one WITH ethanol. Guarantee you the "ethanol free" gets you more MPG and your car runs better.

The "marketing" sham is the benefits of ethanol. Not good for any engines. Only a gov't subsidy for corn farmers. Pull the subsidy, and you'll see it disappear. If you store your car ever for an extended period, filling up with ethanol free is best as well.

Ethanol isn't good for any engine, that's until the gov't got involved. Are they "tuned" for it? Sure. Is it the "best" fuel for your car? NO. Will your engine run better with ethanol? NO. It pretty much is a gov't subsidy "filler" that burns right through.

todd92

E0 will get 3.3% better MPG, no need to do a test in your car. Your car will not run better, you won't notice a difference.

I've never heard of anyone touting benefits of ethanol. However, it's benign in fuel injected engines. It does gum up jets, especially pilot jets, in carburetors if the carburetor is stored full of gas.

The subsidy has been gone for years, but it is still mandated. The mandate isn't going away. As for storage, Sta-Bil is your friend, but is was before ethanol too.

STG

The ethanol industry is SUBSIDIZED with our tax dollars. Ask IOWA!

STG

Poor Californian's can't get 93 octane most places if any. They have to settle for 91.

STG

Overall, if your number one concern is value and getting most MPG per $, the cheapest one on your page (Costco) is "probably" the most financially wise choice. I'd do a tank in each and compare. Curious about the results as far as a purely financial comparison.

Roosell

Yes, particularly if you plan on being the owner of your car in 2025.

Agreed, and I will hold my and stay clear of politics.

Furthermore, I think making fuel choices for these cars based on efficiency and value is a false economy. Fuel efficiency factored into my purchase of a daily driver SUV, but not my 911. I worry very little about how much it costs, but more so about taking care of it long-term.

German_Saint

I own a truck stop & pump real gas only. People tell me all the time the amount of gas they save during a weekly/ monthly usage is noticeable.

Dewinator

I think the special California low emission blend is worse for fuel economy too. I road trip up to WA twice a year and notice lower mileage on the CA gas.

beaverlake

I pulled govt charts back when we had the Boxster and IIRC the energy charts showed a delta closer to 10% than 3%. I don't know that I really noticed a difference. Same with our C2s. So I thought I'd throw it out there. Just for grins I'll run out the tank of Costco - I'm doing a PCA club tour dry run tomorrow (well, it's Seattle, so a wet run). Then I'll fill up with ethanol free for the tour on Saturday. BTW, the ethanol-free pump is labeled 92 octane. Funny that the price difference in absolute cents is about the same now as when gas was $4+ per gallon.

todd92

I don't know what 'energy charts' you are talking about, but for E10 to have 10% less BTU/gal than E0, ethanol would have to have 0 BTU/gal.

Energy Chart

Here is one that shows that E10 has 96.7% of the energy of E0. Wait, that's 3.3% less than E0, which is what I have said in every post. Never mind me, I spent my career trading and blending gasoline and gasoline components, but what do I know?

Roosell

Nice! I had no idea Lubricity was really a word.

MACH 86

You people are quoting 92 octane Is 93 octane not available? Is Chevron not 93

todd92

93 octane is not available in many states. 91 is the max in CA.