MPG and Ethanol

[Brad H.]

I noticed in my 04 ford with 90K on it that my MPG had dropped by several a gallon, had the 100K check up done early and it made no diff. Im hearing that the ethanol may be the problem, any others with this problem? Brad.

[Duke W.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

E10 has about three percent less energy per gallon than straight gasoline, so about three percent mileage reduction is what you should expect, but few people keep accurate enough records to distill this out of normal variation due to weather, trip length, city/highway mix, etc.

E85 is a different story. IIRC the mileage reduction is something on the order of 30 percent or more.

Most people don't know if the gasoline they buy has ethanol (up to ten percent by volume is the current EPA limit) because there are no federal labeling requirements, but some states may require labeling.

Duke

[Stephen B.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Its my understanding that it takes twice as much alcohol by volume to produce the same amout of energy. Is that correct.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59, 66,71,73

[Duke W.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

I'm not sure. I'd have to look up BTU/lb and lb per gallon for ethanol then compare this to about 120,000 BTU/gal for gasoline, but anyone who's interested can look up the data on the Web for ethanol and compare.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

mrs clem's 2004 impala with a 3800 used get 29/30 MPG on road trips but now it is 27/28 on the same trips with 10% ethanol in the gas

[Bruce B.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

The state of Ohio has NO mandatory pump labeling to indicate ethanol content in fuel.
Another heavilly lobbied decision by our useless state government.

[Bruce S.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

The state of Ohio has NO mandatory pump labeling to indicate ethanol content in fuel.
Another heavilly lobbied decision by our useless state government.

Indiana is the same... it sucks.

[Clem Z.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

The state of Ohio has NO mandatory pump labeling to indicate ethanol content in fuel.
Another heavilly lobbied decision by our useless state government.

PA has stickers on the pumps that says. this fuel can contain up to 10% ethanol.

[Terry M.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

PA has stickers on the pumps that says. this fuel can contain up to 10% ethanol.

+1 for Illinois

[Stuart F.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Have a similar report to Mrs. Clem's Impala. I have a 2000 with about 82k on it, also with the 3800 engine, I used to get 28 to 32 (high in MI) highway and around 21 to 23 local driving. The highway has dropped to best of 26 recently and I seldom see more than 20 locally. Florida labels the pumps same as PA. I intend to change the plugs here one day; I say one day for the front three and about a week for the back three. I can't even get my hand back of the engine to check the power steering fluid. Figured I'd use my 4-1/2 year old Grandson and have him lay over the engine on a blanket. He wants to start learning about cars cause I told him I'll leave him my 63.

Stu Fox

[Chuck S.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

...I intend to change the plugs here one day; I say one day for the front three and about a week for the back three. I can't even get my hand back of the engine to check the power steering fluid. Figured I'd use my 4-1/2 year old Grandson and have him lay over the engine on a blanket. He wants to start learning about cars cause I told him I'll leave him my 63...

HaHa... At 4 1/2, you have one precocious grandkid there, Stu. He must be taking after his grandad...I haven't seen kids interested in cars for about a generation. Congratulations.

[Clem Z.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Have a similar report to Mrs. Clem's Impala. I have a 2000 with about 82k on it, also with the 3800 engine, I used to get 28 to 32 (high in MI) highway and around 21 to 23 local driving. The highway has dropped to best of 26 recently and I seldom see more than 20 locally. Florida labels the pumps same as PA. I intend to change the plugs here one day; I say one day for the front three and about a week for the back three. I can't even get my hand back of the engine to check the power steering fluid. Figured I'd use my 4-1/2 year old Grandson and have him lay over the engine on a blanket. He wants to start learning about cars cause I told him I'll leave him my 63.

Stu Fox

i have not had to change plugs on the impala but on some of my other FWD V-6 cars i did the back 3 from underneath. my grandson gets his drivers licence this year and he is REALLY interested in my corvette.

[Kurt G.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Hey guys. I understand the loss of fuel efficiency from the ethanol. Corn doesn't burn as well as dinosaur guts and old trees. But all joking aside, the problem may be something other than just the ethanol. No I'm NOT defending ethanol. I think corn has two uses, both consumed by humans. The problem could also be gunk in you fuel system and slightly damaged injectors.

We have a little company here in Wichita, called BG Products that makes all kinds of automotive suppliments. One that may cure your problem is called 44K. It is a fuel system cleaner, and is the same stuff the dealers use when they charge you $150+ to clean your fuel system. It's easy to use. Just run your tank down to about two or three gallons left in the tank, add a can of 44K and go out and drive around until you think you need to call a tow truck. Then go out and fill up, and drive happy. I've used this stuff for over 15 years, and treat my cars, including my oldies, about every 18,000 miles or two years. I not only get back the fuel efficiency I lost, but all the power also.

They also have some oil additives, specifically MOA, that do wonders. I know the guys well, and they are all car guys. I worked with them in the development of products for the marine industry, as a field test guy, and let's just say all their stuff works.

A short but true story about the MOA product. During their testing they drove a Mazda something 250,000 miles using MOA. I was there when they tore the engine down. No cylinder wall skuffing, no stuck rings, no carbon on the valves or exhaust ports. No, and I mean no bearing wear. They put the engine back together replacing only the gaskets, and ran it another 200,000 miles before they had to replace an internal part.

Web site it www.bgfindashop.com

[Clem Z.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Hey guys. I understand the loss of fuel efficiency from the ethanol. Corn doesn't burn as well as dinosaur guts and old trees. But all joking aside, the problem may be something other than just the ethanol. No I'm NOT defending ethanol. I think corn has two uses, both consumed by humans. The problem could also be gunk in you fuel system and slightly damaged injectors.

We have a little company here in Wichita, called BG Products that makes all kinds of automotive suppliments. One that may cure your problem is called 44K. It is a fuel system cleaner, and is the same stuff the dealers use when they charge you $150+ to clean your fuel system. It's easy to use. Just run your tank down to about two or three gallons left in the tank, add a can of 44K and go out and drive around until you think you need to call a tow truck. Then go out and fill up, and drive happy. I've used this stuff for over 15 years, and treat my cars, including my oldies, about every 18,000 miles or two years. I not only get back the fuel efficiency I lost, but all the power also.

They also have some oil additives, specifically MOA, that do wonders. I know the guys well, and they are all car guys. I worked with them in the development of products for the marine industry, as a field test guy, and let's just say all their stuff works.

A short but true story about the MOA product. During their testing they drove a Mazda something 250,000 miles using MOA. I was there when they tore the engine down. No cylinder wall skuffing, no stuck rings, no carbon on the valves or exhaust ports. No, and I mean no bearing wear. They put the engine back together replacing only the gaskets, and ran it another 200,000 miles before they had to replace an internal part.

Web site it www.bgfindashop.com

were do you buy BG because it seems they only sell to auto service industry. i use techron plus in the tank every oil change in all our vehicles

[Stuart F.]

Re: MPG and Ethanol

Taking a break from my ongoing chekers match with my 4-1/2 year old grand son. He's ahead of me 25 games to 19. Every time I close to within 1 game, he turns it on again. And believe me! I'm trying!

Clem; just a note about the Impala. I was getting "Security" indications for about a year and occasionally it would not start. Battery ok, just couldn't figure it out, but I was tired of getting stranded. Finally read the book - last resort for a Tech Writer you know. Says it is the "Pass-Lock" system acting up. So I changed to my second (unused) key and everything works fine. The old key was worn enough so it was not engaging the pass-lock system. That causes fuel and ignition cutoff. So, watch out for "Security" indications on Mrs. Clem's Impala as the next step is she'll get stranded.

Stu Fox