HD Break-in
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
These reduce MPG by about the same proportion as the percentage in the fuel*
Maricopa County, AZ is at about 10% April-Oct., 15% Nov- March.
It's noticeable.
The oxygenate promotes a more complete burn of HC, while not increasing CO.
Hence when we need to get a crap vehicle through emissions, we can dump rubbing alcohol in the tank and get a pass ( essentially what the stuff at the auto parts store does)
Mike
* wikipedia says not so bad- but many variables come into play:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#Fuel_economy
careful what you read at ethanol.org i think they just may have a vested interest !
Last edited by mkguitar; Mar 21, 2012 at 03:02 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Actually, that is incorrect. Warmer air is heavier, that is why it heats up as you go to lower elevations, aka, adiabatic lapse rates, about 6C per 1000 meters until you hit the dewpoint and the moisture in the air condenses and latent heat is released, then the rate decrease a bit depending on moisture content. Colder air is more oxygen dense, given that the base for comparrison is taken at the same altitude, hence the tuning problems at different altitudes.
You get less mpg at cooler temps for two reasons; 1) the motor needs a reicher mixture to initially start, warm up, then to keep running so you do not burn a hole in your piston, and 2) becasue the viscosity of the fluids in your crank, primary, and trans are heavier and require more power to overcome the resistance they put on the motor.
Mixtures or blends of fuel may play a bit in there as well, but that is an argument that as far as I have ever seen has never been proven.
You get less mpg at cooler temps for two reasons; 1) the motor needs a reicher mixture to initially start, warm up, then to keep running so you do not burn a hole in your piston, and 2) becasue the viscosity of the fluids in your crank, primary, and trans are heavier and require more power to overcome the resistance they put on the motor.
Mixtures or blends of fuel may play a bit in there as well, but that is an argument that as far as I have ever seen has never been proven.
Cooler air is denser making it 'heavier'. Hot air RISES because it is less dense (lighter) than cool air (heavier). Also the very reason cooler intake mixtures make for more power. Quite elementary, actually.
Reading your text makes me think someone at your school (The School Of Rock?) filled your head with a bunch of big words nobody understands.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 450
Likes: 2
Actually it is you that is incorrect.
Cooler air is denser making it 'heavier'. Hot air RISES because it is less dense (lighter) than cool air (heavier). Also the very reason cooler intake mixtures make for more power. Quite elementary, actually.
Reading your text makes me think someone at your school (The School Of Rock?) filled your head with a bunch of big words nobody understands.
Cooler air is denser making it 'heavier'. Hot air RISES because it is less dense (lighter) than cool air (heavier). Also the very reason cooler intake mixtures make for more power. Quite elementary, actually.
Reading your text makes me think someone at your school (The School Of Rock?) filled your head with a bunch of big words nobody understands.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Squamish, BC, Canada
Actually, that is incorrect. Warmer air is heavier, that is why it heats up as you go to lower elevations, aka, adiabatic lapse rates, about 6C per 1000 meters until you hit the dewpoint and the moisture in the air condenses and latent heat is released, then the rate decrease a bit depending on moisture content. Colder air is more oxygen dense, given that the base for comparrison is taken at the same altitude, hence the tuning problems at different altitudes.
You get less mpg at cooler temps for two reasons; 1) the motor needs a reicher mixture to initially start, warm up, then to keep running so you do not burn a hole in your piston, and 2) becasue the viscosity of the fluids in your crank, primary, and trans are heavier and require more power to overcome the resistance they put on the motor.
Mixtures or blends of fuel may play a bit in there as well, but that is an argument that as far as I have ever seen has never been proven.
You get less mpg at cooler temps for two reasons; 1) the motor needs a reicher mixture to initially start, warm up, then to keep running so you do not burn a hole in your piston, and 2) becasue the viscosity of the fluids in your crank, primary, and trans are heavier and require more power to overcome the resistance they put on the motor.
Mixtures or blends of fuel may play a bit in there as well, but that is an argument that as far as I have ever seen has never been proven.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
and why the basement of my house is so much hotter than the upstairs....who would have thunk it...
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