Cheap Vs. Expensive Vs. Ethanol Free Fuel Gas Compare and why Octane Isn't What You Think!

[@nathanieladams7624]

I daily drive a carbureted 1985 Jeep CJ7 and I always use Non ethanol fuel. It makes the engine run so much better. Older vehicles weren’t meant for Corn fuel.

[@tssci6774]

The EPA minimum additives is to just meet emission standards. OEMs found that these minimum standards contributed to severe carbon build up and poor performance, and reliability. That why OEMs and gas companies came up with Top Tier standard. I used a $35 borescope and inspected the pistons after running several tanks of gas, from cheap unbranded fuel to Top Tier Premium fuel. There was a huge difference in carbon build up with premium preventing most of it. That carbon will damage the engine in the long term.

[@auntbarbara5576]

💯💯💯

[@wisconsineaglesfan7925]

2:45 Keep in mind, if you are running 87 in your tank and you think "ohh, I'm going to tow, let me get some 91/93", are you emptying your tank? Putting 5-10 gallons of 91/93 in to a 36 gallon tank barely moves the octane needle. Just put the fuel your car/truck calls for in the tank and stop playing games. If you can't afford the proper fuel, you can't afford the car. My 2015 F150 3.5 EB and 2012 Mazdaspeed3 only get 91/93, because that is what it was designed for. I do find it funny that people can spend over 50K on a truck, then get their panties in a wad over 15 bucks more at the pump for the proper fuel.

[@ReneePerrington]

Mahalo! I am stoked to be an informed lady at the gas pump😊

[@tssci6774]

Tip: I use a$5 app and obdii adapter to monitor knock in my engine. These modern engines you won't hear the knock, but it is indeed happening. My 2012 Chevy, which requires only 87 octane, would lose power, engine would lug, and reduce ignition timing and efficiency. When I switched to Top Tier 93 Premium, engine knock reduced by 95%, better performance, smooth running, and less carbon build up. Every time the engine knocks, the engine suffers, and wear occurs, and it is accumulate. You may not see immediate affects, but will make a big difference in reliability. In the long run using premium oil and premium fuel will cost you less when you take into account all factors.

[@Andersljungberg]

You should probably avoid knocks in general. Because if you are extremely unlucky, the piston can be seriously damaged

[@Andersljungberg]

YOU can connect a small computer like that to the car. it is the car that can give you information. A Ford owner had such a computer plugged in showed -0.15 even though he refueled with 93 octane. so he also put in an octane booster that contains MMT

[@Andersljungberg]

You can also try adding 10-20% E85. You may not like Ethanol but E85 is actually over 100 octane even in the US And contains more oxygen. Otherwise, you can, for example, mix a little racing petrol with your petrol. Don't you have 95 octane?

[@thetechlibrarian]

Yep absolutely my car doesn’t require premium fuel but it will pull more timing especially when it’s hot out on regular octane then it will on high-octane

[@randallbollinger9625]

In the early 90s I had a 1984 accord. I kept detailed record of the gas mileage. Literally between one fill up to the next, about a week between, my efficiency dropped by 3-4 mpg. I dismissed it as maybe I drove differently. Fill up after fill up the mpg stayed 3-4 lower. I finally asked a manager at the exxon where I almost always filled up, did something change with the gas. She said they were mandated to start using ethanol added fuel and LOTS of people were complaining about significantly lower mpg.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

What was your previous baseline fuel economy?

[@QUSAI1996_]

Great video, thank you boss

[@KendrasEdge757]

The only ethanol free station near me is like 45min away so it’s not worth the increase in cost per gallon for me so I just use regular 87 in my 21’ 4Runner. Used to use race fuel back in my 20’s when I raced my Busa, but most cars don’t require premium let alone race fuel. We would run a tank of premium back in the day to clean out the injectors once a year or so, but fuels changed a lot since the late 90’s. God bless~

[@Film_Clips280]

I run my lawnmowers and small engines on ethanol free because ethanol gas leaves a sticky residue in the fuel system and carburetor, I assume it does the same in cars too.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Where do you get it from?

[@Film_Clips280]

@@gregorymalchuk272 Some gas stations have it but in my area they don’t so I just make it myself, it’s very easy just watch a KZbin video on it. You have to mix gas and some water in whatever container you decide to use and leave it there for the night and the water binds to the ethanol and sinks to the bottom then you can just carefully pour the gas out.

[@paulpugh2480]

Thanks for making this clear.

[@Alefran01]

On 87 my car has a vibration and feel more rough on 91/94 it runs like a marble and sometime i even wonder if its on when idleling. We dont have the no ethanol options anymore in canada.

[@tssci6774]

I run ethanol free gas as much as possible. Gas companies use ethanol to increase octane cheaply, plus it is still subsidized. The ethanol allows companies to use lower quality fuel and additives. To produce the same octane fuel using BTEX additives, it is much more costly. Premium fuel cost more because of this. These same additives also clean the engine and fuel system better. The clean burning attributes of ethanol does not occur much at E10 levels. Only occurs at E30 or above. Downside is significant efficiency loss. Using premium non ethanol is much better for ypur engine. Ive done 10k miles of testing in my engine, data logging, and borescope images, oil analysis, fuel efficiency, and it makes a difference.

[@JohnK-pb6mn]

ethanol sucks azz

[@ZoruaZorroark]

while i haven't noticed any difference between e10 gas and pure gas except price, i do prefer top tier gas cause of bad experiences with cheap gas (did turned out one of those cheap gas stations watered their gas)

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Higher octane top tier also have better additives, meaning less carbon buildup and less friction in the cylinders. The octane number on the gas filler door or cap are just the minimum recommended, not what you’re meant to use. Just use top tier and gas that has additives. Yes it’s more expensive, but it’s still cheaper than replacing injectors or worse. Also, the EPA requirements for additives are just the minimum for emissions - not engine wear or carbon buildup. Whether you’re running a Toyota Corolla or an Audi R8, something like shell v-power is always going to be better for your car than just regular gas.

[@theodoremorgan5826]

I have a 2021 Suzuki Drz400s. Been using 93 octane in it. Only thing, I don't ride it very much. I had fouled a plug and put in new one and still wouldn't run. Drained all gas out of tank and carburetor bowl and put in e free gas. Started right up. No problems. Guess I will be using e free in it from now on.

[@thetechlibrarian]

So I tell you from my experience I have a car that expect to run on 87. I run premium in it and it runs better. I don’t care what anyone says. It has a 13 1/2 compression ratio. It can utilize the extra octane I didn’t say financially it’s worth it or it’s a significant difference enough to overcompensate for the added cost I just said that it runs better in my area they have ethanol, free gas that’s 91 octane it’s it’s cheaper than the premium fuel and and just 2 octane points off premium From what I can tell, I still get all the benefits of the premium and it’s definitely smoother and quieter at shut down

[@edwardrivera206]

I use Ethanol free gas on my 1995 mercedes SL and it runs like magic and more gas mileage 😇👍 love it

[@hansbarak]

I just got mercedes vehicle and it calls for ethanol free. Does that mean look for 91 number at the gas station?

[@jasonsherlock7480]

No E free gas in Canada...not even marine I'm told. If you want it you must make it!

[@stephendrake8145]

I’m a biker& motorcycles require higher octane & due to the smaller usually steel fuel tanks ethanol free is better, mixing ethanol free with premium unleaded will really raise octane. Oil companies love the fact that they can add ethanol with regular gas & get premium!!!

[@wholeNwon]

I keep my cars just about forever. Buying snake oil of any flavor and putting it in my car's fuel tank (or crankcase) is something that has never happened and never will. Fuel problems in my cars? Nope, not in the last 62 yrs. that I've been driving. The heads have never been off any of my engines. I do use "top tier" gas and synthetic oil, if it's on sale. I always change the oil and filter myself and avoid dealers for any sort of "service" unless it's covered by warranty.

[@tssci6774]

I agree whole heartedly. Oil based fuel additives are problem, and at least a waste of money. Top Tier Premium, 100% synthetic oil and premium filters for me. I keep my cars 10-15 years.

[@wholeNwon]

@@tssci6774 26 yrs. with my current daily driver. I hope never to part with it.

[@Nerfaddict86]

The new 2024 ranger gas cap says no less then 87 but the Manual says no less than 91 for the twin turbo so I decided to do 91 top tier fuel only now on my last truck I had before ran 87 which was recommended and not top tier which I had more issues like new fuel pump and knocks from the cheap fuel

[@cdlthelion6034]

I just put free ethanol in my Toyota 2005 Corolla I put close to a full tank what I did notice is that the idle smoothed out and the engine ran smoother on acceleration and a little more power. so I could tell you my experience with non-ethyl gasoline I paid a little more but I believe I got good quality gas by the way the car runs now. from what I read ethanol is corrosive and that it could clog up your injectors and your carburetors etc. if you let it sit too long.

[@billquattlebaum1577]

Good article, but I would add that ethanol free is much better for small engines on mowers, chain saws, etc.

[@commentsedited]

My truck, designed for 87 Oct, gets better mpg with the 92 octane. Has more power and emissions are lower. Plus you add some octane boost to..

[@Andersljungberg]

NOTE: petrol companies can spend more money on cleaning chemicals and perhaps other chemicals in products that are called premium. This is perhaps why it can be sparse between sandwiches that offer top tier petrol according to what is said. TOP TIER However, is nothing to do with octane but more to do with cleaning the engine, among other things to prevent carbon formation on valves. and According to AAA, cars that tank with top tier gasoline on average have significantly less carbon and Coatings on e.g. the valves

[@michaelminervini1908]

I have a 1980 TR7 and was told that i should use higher octane BUT alos that the ethanol will damage the hoses and seals.

[@tssci6774]

Ive ran several types of fuel system cleaners. Almost all contain large amounts of oil, which you dont want burning in the engine. It lowers the octane rating of the fuel, and impedes proper combustion when used. I have taken borescope images of the pistons when tbese additives are used. Severe carbon build occurs, rather than cleaning. Even those with PEA, will clean a small spot on top of the piston where the fuel sprays, but leaves heavy carbon on the remaining 90% of the piston. Just use Top Tier Premium fuel, it has all the correct detergents, and none of that oil. These fuel cleaners are mostly a scam, as fuel is already a very effective solvent and cleaner. These cleaners are not a solution to counter the effects of low quality, low octane fuel.

[@randytricker8585]

Petroleum-based gasoline that does not contain ethanol will still succumb to oxidation and volatile compound evaporation in a sealed container or tank, but these processes usually occur more slowly in pure gasoline. Expect non-ethanol gas to last at least 6 months if it's properly stored.Sep 9, 2022

[@seanjuth]

E85 is what i use in my flex fuel 2000 ford ranger. Because of its high octane (normally 100-105), i have no engine knocking.

[@Jaredius]

IDGAF what fuel the OEM recommends, I use ethanol free and when not available I use premium. My truck runs better. My past cars ran better. I keep my vehicles at least 10 years or more and would never lease.

[@bulbman7080]

Agree, switched to E-Free with both of my minivans.....there's numerous differences.

[@jessebunker6062]

Top tier gas has detergents that help keep your engine clean. Ethanol free gas not only burns clean, but doesn't absorb water. It's no question, the cost is well worth it.

[@Bill-b8k]

I think the e free gas will be best if you plan to drive the car many years. I believe there will be less carbon buildup.

[@Andersljungberg]

However, there are cars that can be perceived as more lively with higher octane than what is stated in the owner's manual. Maybe especially if you raise the octane with ethanol

[@TheCreditDisputeCenter]

E-FREE IS SO MUCH BETTER, The LONG TERM savings with more MPG's vs the SHORT TERM savings in per gallon price for regular 87 is much more, plus the vehicles run better. I get a check engine light every time I use anything else other than E-FREE gas now.

[@BRTbike-fz5fn]

On my 2019 F 150 Ecoboost octane does make a difference with the adaptive octane ratio in the ECM. AOR was staying between 0 and +1 fluctuating with 87/10% ethanol. Should be -1 ratio for best efficiency. The Shell 91 nitro I been running last 5 tanks tested at less than 5% ethanol . AOR solid -1, no fluctuation. Doesn't pull as much timing when romped on a little bit. Slight mileage increase over 5 tanks hand calc from avg 18.3 to 19.1 on very nearly identical driving routes and habits. Butt dyno likes it too. Wifey drove it recently and wondered what I did to it.

[@Lolo7674]

As ethanol does not contains as much energy by unit than gasoline, e-free gas should provide more power for the same amount, Octane must be compatible with timing advance, period. Suzuki says my SX4 must run on 87. This is false (in my case). She runs twice better on 91 or 94 (still doing tests). Boosting octane doubled the hp and low end torque, though driving pleasure. Find the gas your car needs. Don't race it with lower octane than recommended, event if you do some test, as this could damage the internals. Too much octane could reduce the power, if timing advance is small but will not damage anything. 87 with big timing could ruin the engine by causing knock.

[@shoechew]

“ Boosting octane doubled the hp and low end torque” 🤡

[@V8-friendly]

When you have a high compression V8 where premium fuel is recommended, you loose some of its horsepower when you put in cheap shit, as the engine control module compensates for that. I need my full 420hp for launches whenever a 🚦 turns green.

[@Andersljungberg]

higher compression can, however, reduce consumption a little. A Mazda should be able to do that because a Mazda can apparently have really high compression Even though it says you can have 91 octane for it. But there are tests that actually show that a Mazda can provide better torque with higher octane. You may have heard of sky X

[@auntbarbara5576]

87, but must be Top Tier 👍🏽

[@RobertYonng]

Now there’s LSPI 🤦

[@jax9769]

Theres a KZbin Video where you can easily* take out Ethanol from gasoline