expired Posted by MrPobears • Nov 20, 2023
Nov 20, 2023 1:28 AM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expired Posted by MrPobears • Nov 20, 2023
Nov 20, 2023 1:28 AM
Sheetz Stores (PA, WV, OH, VA, NC): Unleaded 88 Gas
(valid through 11/27)$2 per gallon
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Don't confuse 88 octane rating with E85. E85 is (up to) 85% ethanol, the rest gasoline. Typical unleaded gasoline is up to 10% ethanol, or E10. The key difference with 88 is that it's 15% ethanol. So, 88 octane is essentially E15, not E85.
So no, you don't need a Flex Fuel designated vehicle. You may want to check your manual to see the max ethanol content recommended, but it's only going from the 10% ethanol you already run, up to 15%, something many modern vehicles will have little issue with.
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Also, are you including your cost of electricity in that hybrid (assuming it is a plug in) cost per mile?
Don't confuse 88 octane rating with E85. E85 is (up to) 85% ethanol, the rest gasoline. Typical unleaded gasoline is up to 10% ethanol, or E10. The key difference with 88 is that it's 15% ethanol. So, 88 octane is essentially E15, not E85.
So no, you don't need a Flex Fuel designated vehicle. You may want to check your manual to see the max ethanol content recommended, but it's only going from the 10% ethanol you already run, up to 15%, something many modern vehicles will have little issue with.
Now let's put the argument to rest - if you have a flex fuel vehicle, absolutely yes you can run this. It's 15% ethanol 85% gasoline. Flex fuel vehicles are designed to run any ethanol content from 0% to 85%, so 15% falls well under the 85% maximum.
Don't listen to anyone else (including the government/EPA) telling you 2001 and newer is "safe" without a flex fuel designation.
CHECK YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL for a definitive answer regarding ethanol percentage maximums. If it says 15% is okay, do it. If not, I'd avoid doing it. No, it will not spontaneously combust, but the best I can say is use at your own risk. High ethanol content LOVES tearing up fuel pump 'socks' (the filter attached directly to your fuel pump inside the tank) among other issues.
If you really are desperate to take advantage of this deal, if you have some gas cans that are empty, fill those and just add a gallon or two per tank over the next few tanks to dilute the ethanol percentage. In a 20 gallon tank, adding two gallons of E15 to the remainder E10 nets you 10.5% ethanol for that fill. Much safer.
Yes, I am a real mechanic, and yes I am a tribology and fuel geek. I feel I'm qualified to give advice on this topic.
Edit: Here is a site that lists all of the vehicles from 2011-2022 that are *supposedly* factory approved to use E15. I'd still double check your owner's manual, but this could be a second opinion of sorts.
http://www.mpgomatic.c
Looks like most cars can't run e15
https://fuelandfriction
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