Which brand of gas to use?

[a2jack]

For the best MPG in our Smarts? Which brands have no ethanol in the mix ?

A2Jack

[dbwill]

I think that may depend on where you live. For example Missouri passed a law that requires all gas to have 10% Ethanol. Probably need to check with your state and then talk to the various fuel distributors

[Old smart]

VA is similar, but it states "may have up to 10%." We have seasonal blends required in some places and I don't know if that varies ethanol content.

[ckigar]

The Missouri Law 'exempts' premium from the 10% ethanol requirement:
"The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act
On January 1, 2008, the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard becomes effective. Under this standard, all gasoline offered for sale in Missouri must contain 10% ethanol.

A few exemptions to the standard will allow gasoline without ethanol to be sold:

When ethanol blends purchased at wholesale exceed the price of gasoline
When selling premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher
Gasoline sold at airports
Gasoline sold at marinas
Although premium is exempted from the requirement, it may be blended with ethanol."

from:

http://www.mda.mo.gov/FuelQuality/re...elstandard.htm

According to the attendant at the Costco in KCMO on Main & Linwood, their premium is alcohol free.

[Karl Roth]

Try a search on oxygenated fuel Feds require it states implement it. It is to reduce carbon monoxide. turns it into carbon dioxide the product of perfect cumbustion. Some states have banned the use of MTBE due to the horrible things It does to ground water. Don't think they help most cars on the road but hey, the goverment is helping you.
karl

[dbwill]

Originally Posted by ckigar

The Missouri Law 'exempts' premium from the 10% ethanol requirement:
"The Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act
On January 1, 2008, the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard becomes effective. Under this standard, all gasoline offered for sale in Missouri must contain 10% ethanol.

A few exemptions to the standard will allow gasoline without ethanol to be sold:

When ethanol blends purchased at wholesale exceed the price of gasoline
When selling premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher
Gasoline sold at airports
Gasoline sold at marinas
Although premium is exempted from the requirement, it may be blended with ethanol."

from:

http://www.mda.mo.gov/FuelQuality/re...elstandard.htm

According to the attendant at the Costco in KCMO on Main & Linwood, their premium is alcohol free.

Thanks, You saved me some research. See your car on the weekends, when I can match you will stop by for a chat.

[Old smart]

Something to dial into your thinking is that when E-10 or RFG/E (reformulated gasoline w/ 10% ethanol) is subject to water contamination above 0.4%, the ethanol breaks its bond with the gasoline and mixes with the water. When that happens, the three octane points that the ethanol adds to gasoline is gone. Thus, someone pinching on fuel grade may find that their 89-octane is really only 86 if water contaminated. A drop from 91 to 88 may be livable for a while, but 86 may be beyond the range that the ECU can accommodate. 87 to 84 certainly will be. 0.4% water isn’t that much; I would buy from a reputable dealer with enough volume turnover so his tanks are kept clean and condensation or rainwater-free.

The 10% ethanol reduces the efficiency of the gasoline about 2%.

[a2jack]

Oldsmart: Yes on the high volume station has less chance of water. I also learned, after having gone through a gas line freeze up, to never buy from a station that is on low ground. Always buy from the guy at the top of the hill!

A2Jack

[saronian]

For those in California here are the requirements for all non-diesel fuel:

CARB Reformulated Gasoline (CARB RFG): An oxygenated reformulated gasoline which meets the most recent specifications set forth by the California Air Resources Board. This gasoline contains 5.7% ethanol as an oxygenate.

[dcrooks]

Pat Goss talks about that:
http://www.garage-pak.com/pat-goss-w...-dont-mix.html