So Happy.... (vehicles, idle, hybrid, octane)

[rosecitywanderer]

I can now purchase ethanol-free gasoline in the State of Oregon!

In 2008, the state passed a law which stipulated that ALL gasoline in road-going motor vehicles must contain at least a 10% ethanol mix. I noticed the hit on my mileage immediately. I went from averaging 20-21 mpg in the city to struggling to get 17 mpg, a struggle that continues to this day (my last tank was 16.5 mpg).

I made my distaste with the situation known and wrote my representatives. I thought it wasn't going to do any good but it made me feel better. Apparently I wasn't the only one peeved off because the state was inundated with what bordered on hate mail. The best thing about it was the fact that one of the politicians who initially supported the mandate quickly changed her tune when her Camry Hybrid went from getting 41 mpg on straight gas to 33 mpg on the E10. She has since supported the return to availability of non-ethanol gasoline.

On January 1, the law took effect and non-ethanol gasoline can be sold to watercraft, gas tanks for mowers and power equipment. But most importantly, it can be pumped into a roadgoing motor vehicle!!!

The only downside is it's only available in 92 octane. Quite honestly...I don't care. The 3 to 5 mpg increase I'm going to see will be worth the extra $2.00 I'll pay. Not to mention my car runs so much better on the non ethanol blend.

[jc76]

I'm in the .00001 percent that actually prefers the ethanol blend. My car runs better and idles smoother though I was told in another thread that I was wrong. But just going from personal experience I prefer ethenol. Good job though writing your congressman!!

[Narfcake]

Hmmm ... perhaps that explains my 31 mpg avg. several years ago when I was up in Oregon. Straight fuel! We've had cleaner burning blends for quite a while now, and the best I've gotten with the watered-down 91 octane "premium" here in Cali. was 28.

[M3 Mitch]

Around the Tri-City area you can find a few Conoco or 76 stations with no ethanol gas. I definitely get better MPG with straight gas. It's available in all 3 grades here, and frequently costs no more or even cheaper than "hooch".