vtec260

I have a question regarding this topic. My SSM 2003 TL-S is first car that I owned that recommends premium gas to be used. Premium gas here in Canada has 91 octane rating and the ethanol blended gas (10% alcohol with 90% gasoline) is octane rated at 90. Is that 1 octane going to make a significant difference in performance and milage? The price gap between premium gas and ethanol blended gas is about 10 cents/liter which translates to $5-6 per fill up. I would like to hear from other drivers' experience with blended gas. At least here, we have choices to buy gasoline and not forced to buy blended gas by law. Thanks for your in advance.

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

You will most deffinately get worse mileage with gas containing ethanol. My recomendation would be to stay as far away from the stuff as possible. Our engines are not designed to use ethanol, so you'll probably spend more money using the "cheaper" ethanol blended gas than the 91 octane non-blended.

vtec260

The owner's manual states that up to 10% ethanol would be acceptable to use in our TL. I am not sure if the performance would be a significant loss by 1 octane level. Mileage I am reading from the net varies. Some states 2-3% loss while some touts 3-4% gain. Who is telling the truth?

fsttyms1

our cars dont like ethanol. I see a significant drop in mileage when i have to use fuel with it. I havent noticed a drop in performance but mileage takes a hit. I usually see about 50+miles less to a tank

03typeStl

I just use 93 everytime I fill up, I get great performance and mpg.
Costs me 1 dollar more a fill-up but its worth it.

Johnny Canuck

Sunoco gas in Canada (not sure about USA) is 10% ethanol and yes the mileage with ethanol is not as high as with "pure" gas. Shell 91 gives me better performance that Sunoco 91 or 94. Do NOT try to skimp on your grade or type of gas you are feeding your 2003 TL-S. You will pay for your mistake in the future and pay more than you think you will be saving in the meantime. I also drive a 2003 TL-S here in Canada. Within a few years we all will be forced to burn ethanol gas as big brother dictates what we can and cannot do. The ethanol question is just warming up after a number of years of lethargy. Corn prices are already causing grief to low income people in Mexico and other southern regions from what I read recently. Another topic for another time. JC

derrick

I'm not sure what to say of this ... when I can, I always pick up Shell V-Power gas whenever I can. Always get better mileage with it. In fact, when I go to the States (I live across the river from Detroit, MI) -- I get gas there, even if I don't need it! They have 93 octane premium ... it's just better gas over there.

No idea why Canadian Shell doesn't use 93. But the ethanol debate -- just a way for ADM (archer daniels midland) to make a fortune. Should have jumped on the ethanol bandwagon before Bush's State of the Union address.

Lawaia

Be glad you have a choice in fuels Derrick. State Law requires all refineries that sell gasoline in Hawaii add at least 10% Ethanol. This mandate started last year and will be in effect for the next 10 years. SUCKS!!

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacif...0/daily10.html

fsttyms1

Its going that way every where. You should be around here where every one is pushing that CRAP called E-85 (and how its the future to save us of our dependency of foreign oil )

vtec260

When I was filling up at the local Shell, there were 2 pumps per station. One was for exclusively Shell V-power but gave 91 octane gas and the other one had a pump that dispensed 3 different grades. When I asked the attendant why they had a pump that gave 91 octane but showed V-power label, he said it was an experiment a while ago when they sold 93 octane V-power gas. No one bought it and due to lack of demand, they switched to only 91 octane premium. I would have loved to try that gas and see how TLS will perform.

With ethanol blended gas, it is suppose to absorb moisture in the gas tank. Where does that water/ethanol mixture go? Suspended with gas and burned off?