Ethanol-Free Gas

Steve Cassani · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 11:21 AM

Any suggestions on how to plan a route from Billings, MT to Elkhart Lake, WI that assures access to ethanol-free gas? Is there a way to use the Internet to map the locations of stations that offer 'straight' gas?

I've been advised that ethanol is not being blended with gas having an octane rating of 91 or better; others tells me the transition to summer blends will have all gasoline contain a minimum of 15% ethanol. This effectively puts my car in the garage for the foreseeable future.

Thanks!

stuartb · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 04:32 PM

I haven't seen ethanol free gas in a long time except for maybe race gas. As far as I know there has been ethanol in gas for a long time(10% or less).

FWB · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:18 AM

in PA, BP has no ethanol, i can't speak for other states.

trularin · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:29 AM

Sunoco is offereing 110 Octane here for the first time in years. No nothing being added.

Pricey at $5.00 per gallon.

Steve Cassani · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 08:01 AM

Thanks guys

I sold the Superformqance a couple of years ago. My concern applies to the engine in my 07 Nissan 350Z.

After some searching a few phone calls I've concluded that advice on this subject is largely a function of the options available locally. Ethanol-free gas is still fairly easy to find in Montana. The dealer and owner recommendation is to avoid the additive. In the midwest, politics trumps economics and marketing 'home grown' fuel is considered responsible. The advice I've gotton from folks in this area is to make do with what you find; you're not likley to have any problem with 10% ethanol and, if you do, a seal in the fuel system will begin to leak before anything serious happens.

I'll fill up in Montana and by the time I'm in South Dakota I'll have to bite my lip and accept what Sout Dakotans call an 'octane booster.' Owners of high performance vehicles don't like it. They're resigned to using it for lack of an option, short of filling up at the airport.

Ronbo · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 04:26 PM

I thought the ethenol mix was a federal mandate?

bomelia · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 08:12 AM

What about local airports? Surely that fuel is ethanol free.

bomelia · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 08:17 AM

BTW, anyone payiing attention to the theory that fossil fuels are not fossil at all?

http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1130.html

Mike

DougD · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 01:11 PM

No midwest states I have traveled through offer ONLY ethanol blended gas. Most all offer a regular grade 87 or so octane, a plus grade 10 percent ethanol mix 89 or so octane, and a premium version 91/92 octane without ethanol.

Honestly, all the hype about 10 percent blended ethanol is pure BS. Some will go on and on about all the problems they have had. I have been using it in everything I own for 15 or so years with exactly zero problems. You won't have a problem. Don't expect one.

It all comes down to whether you'd rather fill the wallet of a guy from Iowa with a seed corn cap on his head or a guy from Saudi Arabia wearing a Turban - I prefer the seed corn guy.