real gas
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, N.C.
Same here, no choice. My mileage has gone down a few MPG since the change in Oct. '08, and performance should be decreased since ethanol produces 30% lower BTU's than gas, but after over a year I can't say I can feel it. When I take road trips I do get better mileage in areas that sell real gas.
Supposedly ethanol produces lower ozone emissions, which is the problem in this area that caused the EPA to mandate E10. I don't know its effect on other forms of pollution (CO2, NOx, etc.) but would imagine it is no worse or it would be more controversial. What I don't like about it is the mileage hit, which means I'm paying more for fuel since I'm not going as far for every gallon and the price is the same.
Also, it means that 10% of fuel consumption goes to renewable domestic sources rather than overseas to foreign interests. It has its pros and cons, but if I had a choice I'd go with real gas.
Supposedly ethanol produces lower ozone emissions, which is the problem in this area that caused the EPA to mandate E10. I don't know its effect on other forms of pollution (CO2, NOx, etc.) but would imagine it is no worse or it would be more controversial. What I don't like about it is the mileage hit, which means I'm paying more for fuel since I'm not going as far for every gallon and the price is the same.
Also, it means that 10% of fuel consumption goes to renewable domestic sources rather than overseas to foreign interests. It has its pros and cons, but if I had a choice I'd go with real gas.
It is a littler lower as far as overall emissions but it contributes to photochemical smog. So it is no better than gasoline and in some cases its worse creating more ozone at ground level.
Last edited by fireaxxe; Mar 21, 2010 at 12:39 PM. Reason: Typing too fast.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The use of MTBE in gas has declined in recent years because of its questionable effect on the environment. It's a suspected carcinogen and mixes easily with water, and a leaky underground gasoline storage tank can contaminate water supplies. Since many municipalities have banned its use, ethanol has become the favored oxygenating additive, and I don't think it is used in my area at all anymore.
Finally winter and summer blends of gasoline are blended to different vapor pressures by varying the amount of butane in the blend, but I know of no reason to add ethanol only during certain times of the year. But I have been away from this issue for something since retirement.
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