15% ethanol gas only at Flying J in GA? Impact on mileage?

[NXR]

We stopped for fuel today in Georgia on I-75 at exit 2, just before Florida. We were very surprised to see that all gasoline pumps, the RV pumps and the car pumps, were marked as containing up to 15% ethanol instead of the usual 10% (at $3.299 a gallon as well).

While our Ford V10 engine says it can use gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol, the Onan 5500 generator manual says to only use gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol.

So we pulled out and went to a BP at the TA at the same exit (which was far tighter to maneuver in).

Has anyone else seen gas stations changing to 15% ethanol only? There was no option at the pump to select 10% or ethanol-free as we saw in Florida. And the price for 10% ethanol in Florida was also $3.299

If so, which stations are doing that?

Can anyone comment on the impact to the MPG by running 15% ethanol instead of 10%? This thing is bad enough on the mileage already.

Thanks,

Ray

[shootist]

If it says 15% my guess it is closer to 22% than 15. It cannot provide as much energy so highly unlikely it will give you the same mileage.

[TandW]

Before gasoline had ethanol purposely mixed with it, whenever a station was having a problem with water in the gas the immediate fix was the addition of a drum full of ethanol.

[Psneeld]

Originally Posted by shootist

If it says 15% my guess it is closer to 22% than 15. It cannot provide as much energy so highly unlikely it will give you the same mileage.

When NJ first started mandating ethanol fuel, many independent fuel samples tested by 3rd party labs had the ethanol content well less than the 10% posted. Which wasn't necessarily good but it sure wasn't blended higher.

Any reasons to think it will be "closer to 22%"?

[shootist]

Originally Posted by Psneeld

When NJ first started mandating ethanol fuel, many independent fuel samples tested by 3rd party labs had the ethanol content well less than the 10% posted. Which wasn't necessarily good but it sure wasn't blended higher.

Any reasons to think it will be "closer to 22%"?

One of these

https://www.westmarine.com/sierra-et...=EngineSystems

[Ray,IN]

A few weeks ago President Biden ordered up to 15% ethanol be sold instead of 10%. https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/12/polit...den/index.html

[Gary RVRoamer]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

A few weeks ago President Biden ordered up to 15% ethanol be sold instead of 10%. https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/12/polit...den/index.html

That was last year and it applied to the summer season that ended 9/15/2022. Are you saying it will be in effect again this summer?

Note that E15 is already permitted 9/15-5/31 of any year (and has been since 2011), but most refiners are holding to E10 or less.

[1972VWbus]

Many vehicles sold still on the road today do not recommend the use of ethanol over 10 percent. This certainly opens up possible litigation if vehicles not designed for E-15 start having issues.

Adding more ethanol also does NOT make for cleaner burning vehicles. That is a myth. Most studies have shown anything more than ~ 5 percent has no added benefit. If anything ones MPGs will go down and the corn farmer/oil companies profits will go up.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by TandW

Before gasoline had ethanol purposely mixed with it, whenever a station was having a problem with water in the gas the immediate fix was the addition of a drum full of ethanol.

More likely methanol.

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by 1972VWbus

If anything ones MPGs will go down and the corn farmer/oil companies profits will go up.

From what I have heard, the farmer gets very little if anything. He spends more of seed and fertilizer and probably electricity to pump water.

The distillers and grain/fertilizer companies are making more.

Also, ethanol can NOT be sent through existing pipelines so it must be transported by truck or rail adding to the consumer cost.

The whole ethanol in gasoline is a big scam ! Car companies get big CAFE credits for flex fuel vehicles that will never see a drop of E85.

[theoldwizard]

GA is NASCAR country. NASCAR use E15, so it must be FAST !

[1972VWbus]

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

From what I have heard, the farmer gets very little if anything. He spends more of seed and fertilizer and probably electricity to pump water.

The distillers and grain/fertilizer companies are making more.

Also, ethanol can NOT be sent through existing pipelines so it must be transported by truck or rail adding to the consumer cost.

The whole ethanol in gasoline is a big scam ! Car companies get big CAFE credits for flex fuel vehicles that will never see a drop of E85.

Absolutely is a scam. With MPGs going down by adding more one will have to by more gas to go the same given distance. Over time its the cart before the horse approach. Vehicles in the last 20 years a far cleaner than the previous 20 plus. ICE vehicles today could easily pass smog standards without much of the added equipment on them today.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

That was last year and it applied to the summer season that ended 9/15/2022. Are you saying it will be in effect again this summer?

Note that E15 is already permitted 9/15-5/31 of any year (and has been since 2011), but most refiners are holding to E10 or less.

At the recommendation of President Biden;

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/we...-senate-summer
and
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/we...e15-eight-date

[Alpine36]

Just be glad it’s not 4.29 (or more) per gallon like it is here in the PNW.
10% or 15%, doubt you’ll notice any difference except a slight decrease in overall fuel mpg.