We Hadn’t Been Forced Into the “10% by Volume” Ethanol Fold
…until now. And the ENTIRE Casa de major dad fleet has experienced a precipitous MPG drop…basically our mileage has gone to poopie. Anyone else notice the same when forced to fill up with this pitiful politically correct corn crap?
To the diagram I would add: “…even though I have to fill up more often.”
UPDATE: Pffft.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed a victory to ethanol producers Wednesday by issuing final regulations that conclude corn-based fuels will meet greenhouse gas standards imposed under a 2007 energy law.
The release of the final regulations follows a fierce campaign by ethanol companies that alleged 2009 draft rules unfairly found that large volumes of ethanol production would not meet targets in the statute for reducing greenhouse gases.
The article also quotes the EPA Administrator:
“We have followed the science,” she told reporters on a conference call. “Our models have become more sophisticated. We have accrued better data.”
I think I’ve heard that before…
Biz, Gorebal Warming, Nanny State, Politics | tree hugging sister | 
February 10, 2010 9:02 am
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My gas mileage has been about the same for 5 years now, regardless of the fuel I use. I don’t seek out ethanol but I don’t avoid it. I go to the most convenient station at the most reasonable price. Whatever is in their pump goes in my tank.
It just made it to all the stations here a couple months ago, so we’re pretty much stuck. And we’ve lost about 2mpg consistently through the fleet. Being anal retentives about mileage, it bugs the crap out of us.
Not all cars do well with ethanol.
And even if they all did, “gasahol” is nothing more than a subsidy to corn farmers. The marginal environmental value (as noted in your excellent cartoon, Sis) ain’t worth it.
I have noticed a small decrease in mileage as well. Plus, for some reason, my small two cycle engines like my weedwhacker, blower etc and my lawn mower have been having issues ever since.
What JeffS said. Ethanol reduces mileage, costs more, raises corn prices so poor countries can’t buy it and there’s no proven environmental benefit.
Losing 2 mpg. is about average from what’s I’ve read, and that’s why I avoid gasohol if possible.
I don’t know what you’re driving, but I’d ask a mechanic about possible damage to valves, piston heads and exhaust systems.
‘Round here, several of the stations are advertising “100% gas, no ethanol.” It costs a few pennies more but they are ALWAYS busy.
I try to buy from those places if I can.
The honest version:
“We have heard from the corn-state Senators,” she told reporters on a conference call. “The lobbyists have become more sophisticated. They have accrued much more cash.”
It’s affected the 4 cylinder, the standard carbed V-6, the straight 6 and the fuel injected double overhead cam V-8. The V-8 used to get about 25 around town as long as I behaved, not now though. Ethanol is a racket but the greenies are too blind to see that.
In Connecticut we switched from MTBE to 10% Ethanol a couple of years ago. IMHO, pure gas = best mileage, MTBE knocked a little off, and ethanol even more. Worse, MTBE could be mixed in earlier in refining process. Ethyl alcohol gets mixed close to delivery, forcing a retooling of delivery process. Ethanol can cause fuel filters to be clogged in older cars because it “lifts” the years of sediment from bottom of tank.
Val, two strokers hate hate hate hate hate HATES ethanol. Runs ’em into little pieces. I’m waiting for my lawnmower to die right now.
Mark, I still put a half liter of methylated spirits into my petrol fuelled cars every 2 or 3 months. The Metho picks up water at one end of the molecule and mixes it through the petrol. It means there isn’t water sitting in the bottom of your tank. Has worked well for fourty years.