Have You Checked Your Gas Mileage Lately?   

You may be shocked. . . . . . .

Due to the amount of driving that I do, and to comply with IRS, I maintain an auto log.

Over the last several weeks it seemed I was using more gas than usual. I went back into the log and calculated the average gas mileage on the two autos that I drive. 

When I made the comparison I was shocked to see that my gas mileage was off on both autos by about twenty percent, that's a huge drop off.

What I determined was that the gas mileage drop off occurred the same time ethanol was added to the gas.

In Florida ethanol comprises up to ten percent of the fuel mix.

Is it just me, or could it be the ethanol fuel produced from corn is not cost effective?

 
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6 Comments on Have You Checked Your Gas Mileage Lately?

JUL
17
2008
1,404,779 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

From Mn here.  Ethenol does drop your milage.  I found about 5-7% myself.  The idea is that it is a cleaner burning fuel.  That part is true and we have a lot of cars that can burn the 90-10 ratio or the E85 which is 85% ethinaol.  The E85 drops the milage about 20% so it is a break even (APX) trade off.  I wonder about your 20% drop in milage...at a 50% mix you wouldn't get any miles per gallon.

We have had th 90-10 mix for many years now and now ill effects either.  That was one of the copncerns and complaints.  Many people clained that it caused engine problems, but it really was maint. issues!!!
3:39pm • #1

Lou,

Have you checked your air presures?  That's the biggest problem in the country.  Also, slow down on the highway.  Try 55 mph; that makes a bigger difference than you'd think but could be difficult for a Florida resident to discipline himself to.
3:40pm • #2
321,258 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lou,

This is why I do not check.....LOL

I do not need the added frustration.....have a great day.
3:42pm • #3
JUL
18
2008
1,740,366 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lou,

Ethanol is not the darling people would have you believe that it is. It definitely decreases gas mileage. It takes corn crops out of the grocery stores and feedlots. It adds to inflation due to a shift in the demand for corn away from the consumer and farmer to the ethanol producers and leads to shortages in the traditional supply. Now I heard that someone is looking into converting kudzu into ethanol - there's an idea!

Steve
9:19am • #4
319,667 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lou, I was shocked to see the $61.00 I just put into my tank yesterday is gone, I've done that much driving. Sure hope I get the dang listing, I think- it's a 30 minute drive!
10:51pm • #5
JUL
21
2008

Lou, you are right about the drop in mileage. I checked after reading your post.  It seems that all of the gas stations in my area are now adding ethanol to the mix and my MPG has dropped from around 23 to 19.  What's up with that?????  I am all for not using foreign oil and am willing to sacrifice MPG but do I have to spend even more to do it?   Next time you see me . . . I just may be on a Vespa! 

 

Deborah
12:10pm • #6


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