Fuel Economy - Hypermiling Dedicated to discussions on fuel economy improvements and related modifications.

Ethanol fuel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 8, 2011 | 07:44 PM
  #1  
BADBOY's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 03-29-2011
Posts: 33
From: EAST BOSTON
Ethanol fuel

I just found out i have two ethanol stations near my home in boston
now i know my hhr is flex fuel,,but i need to know the advantages
of using e85 in my vehicle before i start to full up there !!!

I understand that its about .4o cents cheaper per gallon here in boston ( prices not all the same in every state )
but what about fuel milage ?????
Is it worth it to switch over or will it take more fuel to run on ethanol ,,,only to average out to the same price in the end ??

I know it will burn cleaner and the car is suppose to run just as good,,, which is suppose to be better for the vehicle in the long run!!!
But what are the advantages ?????

Anyone know?????
Old May 8, 2011 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
Greybeard999's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 03-06-2010
Posts: 6,869
From: Ohio
You will get less MPG, if the cost difference makes up for that or not is variable. From what I've read 40 cents cheaper may not make it worthwhile, but I've never run it. (My '07 is not flexfuel)

Only way to find out is try it I guess.
Old May 8, 2011 | 08:53 PM
  #3  
bk94si's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 01-10-2011
Posts: 204
From: Tri-Cities, WA
less performance, less MPG. The only reason it makes any sense at all is the government subsidies that make it cheaper.
Old May 8, 2011 | 10:00 PM
  #4  
otacon's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: 03-02-2010
Posts: 35
From: Phoenix
We ran it in our company issued HHR's last year for a test. Terrible gas mileage and acceleration is just gone. Don't even bother We saw almost 10 miles per gallon less in our unscientific testing.
Old May 9, 2011 | 10:14 PM
  #5  
BADBOY's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 03-29-2011
Posts: 33
From: EAST BOSTON
Originally Posted by otacon
We ran it in our company issued HHR's last year for a test. Terrible gas mileage and acceleration is just gone. Don't even bother We saw almost 10 miles per gallon less in our unscientific testing.
terrible gas milage and no acceleration ???
wow sound to me like its not even worth trying !!!
Old May 10, 2011 | 07:59 PM
  #6  
BlackknighT's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 08-29-2009
Posts: 1,813
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by BADBOY
terrible gas milage and no acceleration ???
wow sound to me like its not even worth trying !!!
I use it in my 09 2.2 and the car runs fine on it. I do however only buy it when it is about $1 cheaper then gas per gallon because my MPG drops about 3-4 miles per gallon.

For those getting 10 less per gallon-fix your foot-it's stuck to your peddle.

It's running at about $3.09 cash right now by me-worth it because regular gas is at $4.19.

Use this website & check out the e85 calculator. http://e85prices.com/

At those prices I actually get an extra 13 miles per tank. Worth the effort because I drive 60 miles a day.

E85: Best
$0.134 per mile
7.443 miles per $

Gas:
$0.155 per mile
6.444 miles per $

Last edited by BlackknighT; May 12, 2011 at 08:10 PM. Reason: Added left out website link
Old May 10, 2011 | 11:23 PM
  #7  
Rod Run's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 09-05-2009
Posts: 452
From: New England
Originally Posted by BADBOY
I just found out i have two ethanol stations near my home in boston
now i know my hhr is flex fuel,,but i need to know the advantages
Where in the area are they?
Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:47 PM
  #8  
BADBOY's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: 03-29-2011
Posts: 33
From: EAST BOSTON
Originally Posted by rod run
where in the area are they?
i found one right inside logan airport east boston mass
and another one at burkes oil = a gas station on beachham st in chelsea mass
as far as i know they are the only 2 in mass.
Old Jun 14, 2011 | 06:05 AM
  #9  
solman98's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-17-2006
Posts: 6,053
From: Dallas, GA
Originally Posted by bk94si
less performance, less MPG. The only reason it makes any sense at all is the government subsidies that make it cheaper.
Originally Posted by otacon
We ran it in our company issued HHR's last year for a test. Terrible gas mileage and acceleration is just gone. Don't even bother We saw almost 10 miles per gallon less in our unscientific testing.
You do realize that running E85 actulally bumps your HP and TQ rating? So less performance is definatly not true. It will actually increase slightly.

You will loose on average about 25% or less MPG (depending if you run one tank or continously). We have one agency that uses it exclusively and their mileage is not far off those that don't. So if you want to try one tank, it will be your worse.

Gas is also substidized and who has record profits?
Old Jun 14, 2011 | 12:43 PM
  #10  
HHRSSouth's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 08-16-2009
Posts: 751
From: South
I use a E35 blend and Trifecta tune, I can assure you I have more power/tq then I had with my 93 Octane tune.

Now with that being said, you will use up to 30% more ethanol fuel then 87-93Octane gas (I barely use any more fuel then 93 Octane did but I only blend in 35% ethanol), the only way Ethanol is better to use is if the cost of Ethanol is considerably cheaper then 87-93 Octane gas.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 PM.