Explain this - higher mpg with Ethanol
#1
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Explain this - higher mpg with Ethanol
I had been religious about using premium in my 06 RX8.
However, I was at a rural gas station in Iowa that had only 10 percent ethanol and I was darn near empty. So I filled it up, thinking one time won't hurt anything.
I'd read that one could expect slightly worse gas mileage with an ethanol blend. Imagine my surprise when I got an extra 50 miles out of that tank. Thinking it was a fluke, I again filled up with ethanol, just as a scientific experiment. I'm halfway through that tank and am again on pace to see my range increased approximately 50 miles.
I can't figure this out, as everything I've heard and read says that ethanol leads to LOWER gas mileage.
Maybe the ethanol is so fresh here in Iowa that it's better> (That's a joke, I'm not that dumb, but I do wonder what's going on).
However, I was at a rural gas station in Iowa that had only 10 percent ethanol and I was darn near empty. So I filled it up, thinking one time won't hurt anything.
I'd read that one could expect slightly worse gas mileage with an ethanol blend. Imagine my surprise when I got an extra 50 miles out of that tank. Thinking it was a fluke, I again filled up with ethanol, just as a scientific experiment. I'm halfway through that tank and am again on pace to see my range increased approximately 50 miles.
I can't figure this out, as everything I've heard and read says that ethanol leads to LOWER gas mileage.
Maybe the ethanol is so fresh here in Iowa that it's better> (That's a joke, I'm not that dumb, but I do wonder what's going on).
Last edited by torbee; 06-18-2007 at 03:17 PM.
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I've noticed no change at all in performance in the two tanks of ethanol I've used.
The blend I've been using has a 90 octane rating, which is higher than the non-ethanol regular here.
The blend I've been using has a 90 octane rating, which is higher than the non-ethanol regular here.
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I've got no choice but ethanol. But there's no way in hell anyone can guess based on the (lack of) info you provide.
So, um, my guess is that you were on a longer trip (hence the fill up in some random IA town) and that longer trip results in 50 miles extra. (mine gets 50-70 miles extra out of a tank if I do trip of 250+ miles)
So, um, my guess is that you were on a longer trip (hence the fill up in some random IA town) and that longer trip results in 50 miles extra. (mine gets 50-70 miles extra out of a tank if I do trip of 250+ miles)
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That's what I thought at first as well - longer trip = greater range.
But the second tank I filled and did my normal routine of driving - back and forth to work, back and forth to the gym, no out-of-town trips, and am still seeing the improved mileage.
But the second tank I filled and did my normal routine of driving - back and forth to work, back and forth to the gym, no out-of-town trips, and am still seeing the improved mileage.
#9
I'm not that big a stickler on mileage as I prefer to enjoy my car, but it seems a good stretch of the legs might be good for the engine.
#11
Insanely Yellow
I had been religious about using premium in my 06 RX8.
However, I was at a rural gas station in Iowa that had only 10 percent ethanol and I was darn near empty. So I filled it up, thinking one time won't hurt anything.
I'd read that one could expect slightly worse gas mileage with an ethanol blend. Imagine my surprise when I got an extra 50 miles out of that tank. Thinking it was a fluke, I again filled up with ethanol, just as a scientific experiment. I'm halfway through that tank and am again on pace to see my range increased approximately 50 miles.
I can't figure this out, as everything I've heard and read says that ethanol leads to LOWER gas mileage.
Maybe the ethanol is so fresh here in Iowa that it's better> (That's a joke, I'm not that dumb, but I do wonder what's going on).
However, I was at a rural gas station in Iowa that had only 10 percent ethanol and I was darn near empty. So I filled it up, thinking one time won't hurt anything.
I'd read that one could expect slightly worse gas mileage with an ethanol blend. Imagine my surprise when I got an extra 50 miles out of that tank. Thinking it was a fluke, I again filled up with ethanol, just as a scientific experiment. I'm halfway through that tank and am again on pace to see my range increased approximately 50 miles.
I can't figure this out, as everything I've heard and read says that ethanol leads to LOWER gas mileage.
Maybe the ethanol is so fresh here in Iowa that it's better> (That's a joke, I'm not that dumb, but I do wonder what's going on).
???
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