Ethanol or No Ethanol? (work, fuel, octane)

[duster1979]

I support ethanol - I've used it since it's been on the market, no adverse affects, no noticeable decrease in overall performance in my experience - but not corn ethanol simply because it's not cost-effective for the consumer without government subsides. There are options available that appear to be much better, such as hemp which I noted above, but they aren't being actively researched possibly due to the lobbying power of the NCGA.

[rbohm]

Originally Posted by duster1979

I support ethanol - I've used it since it's been on the market, no adverse affects, no noticeable decrease in overall performance in my experience - but not corn ethanol simply because it's not cost-effective for the consumer without government subsides. There are options available that appear to be much better, such as hemp which I noted above, but they aren't being actively researched possibly due to the lobbying power of the NCGA.

yes hemp is another good alternative for ethanol fuel as well, though sugar is still better.

[whiteboyslo]

Not a fan of ethanol due to its negative effect on motorcycles and other small engines, especially when the mix is 15% or higher. At a minimum, labeling for ethanol at gas stations needs to be more standardized and clear, not unlike how octane rating stickers are basically universal nationwide.

Mike

[don1945]

Ethanol has been horrible for the consumer. We get at least 10% worse mileage with it and tons of companies are making a fortune selling additives to combat the effects of it (Startron, Stabil, etc) My one car sits in my shop for weeks at a time and when I go to use it a lot of the fuel in the tank has evaporated from just sitting there. Not to mention what it does to the fuel system.

More and more stations are beginning to offer non ethanol pumps as an alternative, and when I have been able to find them my car runs so much better and I get MUCH better gas mileage. Hope they finally see the light and stop making it.

Don

[JaxRhapsody]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

If the media you ascribe to supports big oil you hate ethanol, but if you support buying American then ethanol is good. Either way there's absolutely zero affect, because your o2 adjusts accordingly. Ethanol does leave a smaller carbon footprint, and can create more power.

It has a lower octane rating than gasoline.

[MrWillys]

Originally Posted by JaxRhapsody

It has a lower octane rating than gasoline.

Incorrect:

Ethanol's higher octane rating allows an increase of an engine's compression ratio for increased thermal efficiency.

Ethanol fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[nirvana07]

Ooops...I meant a NO, and voted a Yes.

[ukrkoz]

Hmmm...
Ethanol was lobbyed in here by corn producing states, that were basically going broke, if not for government support to what they produce. Corn. Then that plague spread everywhere, as it was same time "good for business" - poorer mpg, engines wear out faster, as alcohol removes oil film from moving parts.
In Brzil, it was different situation. Brazil is one of the largest grain producers. They were hit by lack of demand for grains, from international buyers, and landed with dilemma - do we let our farmers go broke, or come up with something to help them out. So, they came up with gasohol.

[MrWillys]

Here's a great read on ethanol use in the US. It's been in our gas since the 70's and is great for our economy, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil imports.

Ethanol fuel in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[JaxRhapsody]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

Incorrect:

Ethanol's higher octane rating allows an increase of an engine's compression ratio for increased thermal efficiency.

Ethanol fuel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

which is why there is a fad of converting force inducted engines to run on it, versus 93(or whatevers highest in ones area) gas. Not too much need for advancing engine timing, or blah, blah, blah. It still takes a lot more of it to the equivalent of gasoline. I'd rather have gasoline that e85.