Ethanol free gas in Greater Seattle area (Home Depot, buy)

[usernametaken]

Does anyone buy ethanol free gas? Am trying to improve my car's fuel efficiency that drastically fell upon my move from flat NE Ohio to sometimes hilly WA in 2010. This site lists the stations that offer such gas:

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Anyone have experiences with this type of more expensive gas, and know much about the stations that offer better prices for it?

[mkarch]

Just get used to the idea that your (non-hybrid) car won't get as good of mileage here due to the hills. The prius's populatrity here isn't just due to the area being full of tree huggers.

[usernametaken]

So you are saying that a Prius or other hybrid in a non-hilly area gets the same fuel efficiency as in a hilly area?

Originally Posted by mkarch

Just get used to the idea that your (non-hybrid) car won't get as good of mileage here due to the hills. The prius's populatrity here isn't just due to the area being full of tree huggers.

[Hemlock140]

Ethanol-Free gas costs more and requires a lot of additional driving to get to the few places where it's sold, so is not going to save you any money. It's meant to be used by classic cars and older power equipment that were not made to take the corrosive effects of the ethanol. Hybrids will not get as good mileage as in flat areas, but still does a lot better than non-hybrids. The additional power taken to get up the hills is offset by the power generation from braking when going down the hills. On non-hybrids braking while going down hills is a total waste of inertia, and the engine is still idling and using gas.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by usernametaken

So you are saying that a Prius or other hybrid in a non-hilly area gets the same fuel efficiency as in a hilly area?

That would require 100% efficiency and violate some laws of physics, so no, not strictly speaking. The hybrid's regenerative braking allows you to legally conserve momentum WAY beyond what's possible driving a non hybrid in a hilly area with speed limits, traffic and stop signs.


Hybrids won't see the same kind of mileage penalty driving hilly terrain like a gas only car. FWIW, my last car I could squeeze out 27 off-highway in a relatively flat area. Using the same techniques here yielded around 20. That is significant. The biggest difference is in an area with low, rolling hills I could coast without seriously exceeding the speed limit, and crest hills without coming to a near stop. If I tried to do the same thing going over Phinney Ridge for example, I'd be going 80+MPH by the time I hit the bottom. Not safe.

Ethanol gas is mandated by law. I've found some ethanol free gas in remote counties without emission regulations and at Home Depot in the chainsaw aisle for $7/32oz. There are also some Shell stations that sell 110 octane race gas which may be ethanol free - not totally sure on that. Not worth the trouble or expense.

[Lonney105]

My first question would be what type of vehicle and how old? What is the difference in fuel economy you got between here and there?

[usernametaken]

Originally Posted by Lonney105

My first question would be what type of vehicle and how old? What is the difference in fuel economy you got between here and there?

A 2007 Honda Fit Sport.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...-mpg-your.html

[Lonney105]

So it's around 7 years old. Are you up-to-date with maintenance ? Fuel filters, air filters, transmission service (if its auto), plugs, leads etc. Synthetic oils. Replace your thermostat and radiator cap. I get 32 to 35mpg highway from a 12 year old Impala LS (3.8 V6) on 90 octane.

[usernametaken]

Thanks for the advice Lonney. I am regular with the oil change and addressing the maintenance reminders, and always use synthetic. Tires were changed two years ago.

The fuel efficiency declined when I moved here in 2010, but has not gone down any further thereafter. Highway mileage is still very good (37/38 mpg). City mileage is 21 mpg or so, much lower than advertised. And I do not drive roughly by any means. Anyway, I will probably get another car in a year, and just started this thread because I did not realize they had so many non-ethanol based fuel stations in this state.

[Lonney105]

I guess there isnt much that can be done, Ethanol has a lower energy density than plain gasoline, so you use more for the same amount of work. 20% is more than I would have expected.. I wouldnt think the winter temps in Seattle would not have much effect, but maybe the shorter trips? It takes around around 15 minutes for an engine to get properly upto temperature and "efficient". I notice my economy drops off at around 0F, by -20F it's half of what it would be normally, but I do live in a pretty cold place =) The 32 - 35 figure is of course during summer time here.