Use “Top Tier” premium gas with ethanol? Or non-top tier premium, without ethanol?
08-23-2018, 11:04 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Use “Top Tier” premium gas with ethanol? Or non-top tier premium, without ethanol?
In New York, we have Stewart’s Shops which sell 93 octane with NO ethanol.
Nearly all other gas stations, Mobil, shell, BP, all sell 93 with ethanol, but it’s this “top tier” stuff - https://www.toptiergas.com/
Wondering what would be smarter? Or is it 6 of one, 1/2 dozen blah blah.
Nearly all other gas stations, Mobil, shell, BP, all sell 93 with ethanol, but it’s this “top tier” stuff - https://www.toptiergas.com/
Wondering what would be smarter? Or is it 6 of one, 1/2 dozen blah blah.
08-23-2018, 11:30 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Depends what the price difference is between gas stations with and without ethanol. Around here ethanol free gas is like 70-80 cents more which I think is not worth it.
08-23-2018, 11:41 AM
#3
Drifting
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I've used 100% gas and have noticed no difference in power or economy. There's no doubt that 100% gas is more "energy rich". It's a chemical fact. However, whether or not it's better for your motor vs. 10%EtOH is up for debate. Ethanol has a few beneficial properties such as water absorption and different cleaning properties than gasoline which could potentially reduce certain types of buildup.
In my opinion, 100% gas isn't worth the premium because 1. the price difference isn't going to provide the potential increased mileage to mitigate the cost and 2. could actually be less beneficial for the motor due to the properties of EtOH and the fact that the engine was designed for it.
The conversation changes when dealing with vehicles not designed for ethanol. In that case, 100% gas is the way to go. But for modern vehicles (any Acura...), I'd go with the regular top tier premium.
Edit: I forgot to add, EtOH reduces knock. That's a fact. These high compression engines are prone to knock so that another advantage.
In my opinion, 100% gas isn't worth the premium because 1. the price difference isn't going to provide the potential increased mileage to mitigate the cost and 2. could actually be less beneficial for the motor due to the properties of EtOH and the fact that the engine was designed for it.
The conversation changes when dealing with vehicles not designed for ethanol. In that case, 100% gas is the way to go. But for modern vehicles (any Acura...), I'd go with the regular top tier premium.
Edit: I forgot to add, EtOH reduces knock. That's a fact. These high compression engines are prone to knock so that another advantage.
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Ken1997TL (08-24-2018)
08-23-2018, 12:00 PM
#5
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It's another topic, but I'm by no means a proponent of producing ethanol the way we currently do. It takes more energy to produce ethanol from corn than the ethanol actually provides. I believe it's a product of political lobbying and definitely not good for the environment. However, there's not a lot that can be done about that. It's fine for cars the way things are but it's a stupid thing to be doing IMO.
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KeithL (08-23-2018)
08-23-2018, 12:39 PM
#6
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Modern cars especially turbos like ethanol. With modded BMW's cheap race gas is a 60/40 93/E85 mix. Even up 93 pure vs 93-10% the normal pump mix 93 pure will give better gas mileage. Ethanol has less BTU's than gasoline so you need more reducing mileage
08-23-2018, 01:37 PM
#7
Safety Car
Top Tier with bit of ethanol > Joe Schmoe's Gas without ethanol.
Modern engines/fuel systems are engineered knowing that the vast majority of gas these days have some ethanol content. You can always research and ask which of the top tier stations has the least ethanol if you want.
Otherwise it's way worse to put in a bad batch of no name gas that has no ethanol than a top tier gas that is well maintained and has fresh gas always
Modern engines/fuel systems are engineered knowing that the vast majority of gas these days have some ethanol content. You can always research and ask which of the top tier stations has the least ethanol if you want.
Otherwise it's way worse to put in a bad batch of no name gas that has no ethanol than a top tier gas that is well maintained and has fresh gas always
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08-23-2018, 06:21 PM
#8
Suzuka Master
I actually can get ethanol free gas at QuikTrip here and it is around same price as premium. I am trying it out, but tend to agree that modern cars are designed to run with ethanol and honestly the gas has 10% ethanol and if it has 30% less energy are not we talking about an overal 3-4% energy difference per gallon? That is not noticeable and I think I would rather have the potential acceleration power under load by having 93 octane.
08-23-2018, 09:04 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
I don't have ethanol-free gas easily available in my area and the fuel burned to get to an ethanol-free station would soon take away any savings from fuel economy. My car's never had a tank of "pure" gas and given my heavy throttle foot, it wouldn't make a difference anyway. Acura's likely tuned the car for it, anyway. I stick with Top Tier fuel. Even though I lease this TLX, there is a non-zero likelihood of my buying it off lease, so I try to keep it in decent shape....even planning to put 2-3 layers of Zaino on this weekend. 
08-24-2018, 11:15 AM
#10
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FWIW our local Exxon station has 87 90 pure 91 & 93 at the pumps. I use 87 & 93 but will check the 90 price next time I am in there to see how it fits in.
08-24-2018, 12:57 PM
#11
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Modern Honda engines are designed with ethanol factored in.
09-05-2018, 04:27 PM
#12
Banned
Don't bother with the premium unless you are really want that ultimate +10HP at 6200rpm...
Let the facts talk.
https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel...d-premium-gas/
'nough said. Case closed.
Let the facts talk.
https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel...d-premium-gas/
To determine whether using regular gas in a vehicle that recommends premium gas had any effect on fuel economy or acceleration, we evaluated two models: a 2015 Acura TLX four-cylinder and a 2016 Nissan Maxima V6 (both shown below).
...
Both sedans achieved the same fuel economy when tested with regular fuel as they did with premium. During this testing, the cars felt and sounded the same; we did not experience any engine pinging or knocking noise in either car when using regular fuel.
The owner’s manuals indicate that drivers might notice a decrease in performance when running on regular gas, but our test results said otherwise. The 0-60 mph acceleration times were identical in the TLX and Maxima on regular and premium gas.
...
Both sedans achieved the same fuel economy when tested with regular fuel as they did with premium. During this testing, the cars felt and sounded the same; we did not experience any engine pinging or knocking noise in either car when using regular fuel.
The owner’s manuals indicate that drivers might notice a decrease in performance when running on regular gas, but our test results said otherwise. The 0-60 mph acceleration times were identical in the TLX and Maxima on regular and premium gas.
09-06-2018, 09:47 AM
#14
Azine Jabroni
09-07-2018, 01:55 PM
#16
Banned
"unless you are really want that ultimate +10HP at 6200rpm.."
Of course, it is not the same for all cars, we ARE talking about the TLX here....
09-07-2018, 02:06 PM
#17
I was asking for clarification on your absolute statement...based on what I read that you posted with your words that I read. Also, since you also left out that you were referring only to the TLX should I assume olive your posts going forward are only relating to that particular vehicle?
You live in a gray area where you can manipulate to feed your delusion of grandeur...or something. Can't imagine a happy person waking up and choosing to act this way online. If you were local I'd give you a hug, man. Probably would do you good. Maybe both of us.
You live in a gray area where you can manipulate to feed your delusion of grandeur...or something. Can't imagine a happy person waking up and choosing to act this way online. If you were local I'd give you a hug, man. Probably would do you good. Maybe both of us.
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BEAR-AvHistory (09-10-2018)
09-10-2018, 02:14 PM
#18
Azine Jabroni
Gasoline cars are meant to run E10. Pure gasoline adds zero benefit.
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BEAR-AvHistory (09-10-2018)
09-10-2018, 05:37 PM
#19
Banned
I was asking for clarification on your absolute statement...based on what I read that you posted with your words that I read. Also, since you also left out that you were referring only to the TLX should I assume olive your posts going forward are only relating to that particular vehicle?
You live in a gray area where you can manipulate to feed your delusion of grandeur...or something. Can't imagine a happy person waking up and choosing to act this way online. If you were local I'd give you a hug, man. Probably would do you good. Maybe both of us.
You live in a gray area where you can manipulate to feed your delusion of grandeur...or something. Can't imagine a happy person waking up and choosing to act this way online. If you were local I'd give you a hug, man. Probably would do you good. Maybe both of us.
09-11-2018, 06:39 AM
#20
I really don't know what you feel but based on your response you should probably claim that hug sooner than later as you're not getting any younger.
Anyway, can we all agree that although some will feel no difference in some cars...overall there is a reason there are tiered gas options at the fill-up.
Anyway, can we all agree that although some will feel no difference in some cars...overall there is a reason there are tiered gas options at the fill-up.
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kurtatx (09-11-2018)
09-11-2018, 06:41 AM
#21
Azine Jabroni
I really don't know what you feel but based on your response you should probably claim that hug sooner than later as you're not getting any younger.
Anyway, can we all agree that although some will feel no difference in some cars...overall there is a reason there are tiered gas options at the fill-up.
Anyway, can we all agree that although some will feel no difference in some cars...overall there is a reason there are tiered gas options at the fill-up.
09-11-2018, 11:57 AM
#23
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Coming to an Acura dealer near you. When they go Turbo ethanol is the way to go to boost (pun intended) power. In a BMW a 93/E85 60/40 mix is classified as "poor mans racing gas." Both cools the charge & raises the octane resulting in a significant increase in horsepower.
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