20% Ethanol Gasoline for Minnesota

[DonavonP]

Minnesota has passed a law to increase the ethanol content of the gasoline to 20% by the year 2012 or so. Does anyone know if the current GM 8.1 can handle this?

We currently have 10% ethanol and it seems to reduce my mileage about 5% but
I have no way of proving that scientifically. I do know that the non ethanol gas in Wyoming (91 octane) sure seems to give the engine more power and it runs quieter.

[DonavonP]

Minnesota has passed a law to increase the ethanol content of the gasoline to 20% by the year 2012 or so. Does anyone know if the current GM 8.1 can handle this?

We currently have 10% ethanol and it seems to reduce my mileage about 5% but
I have no way of proving that scientifically. I do know that the non ethanol gas in Wyoming (91 octane) sure seems to give the engine more power and it runs quieter.

[oemtech]

I have heard that it takes almost 2x of ethanol to equal the btu's of 1x gasoline... IE - decrease in millage.

Most computer controlled engines don't benefit from higher octane gas, as the computer generally compensates for it. Now if you have a higher compression engine it may require 91 octane.

As for 20%, the OEM's will have to compensate for this with changes to the fuel curve in the computer. IE - reprogram it.

[DonavonP]

Thanks for the reply Dale. That could explain why I always get better milaage driving back to Minnesota (of course it's down hill too)

I bought the 91 octane because the 85 octane regular seemed a little low and the 89 octane was 10% vodka and that left the 91 octane. Interesting side note - I didn't tell my wife that I'd put in the 91 octane no ethanol and after about 20 miles, she mentioned that the engine sounded better. (She's a high performance pilot and is very competent on fuel delivery systems etc.)

Does anybody know if it's ok to burn the 85 octane?

[Full-Timers]

Don't do it. Check your owners manual for fuel recommendations.