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Author: Subject: Comparative Gas Mileages
bufeo
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 08:11 AM


I don't know why we all (including me) obsess about gas mileage. The expense is not even close to the amount lost in depreciation...and never mind all the add-ons that we love to brag about...that are the real expenses.

We've owned over fifty vehicles over the past fifty-three years, and I've kept the records on nearly all of them. Because I put gas in their tanks frequently that cost seems to be more prominent, and while that per/mile cost is not negligible I don't lose sleep over it.

The only reason I keep track of mpg is that a sudden loss—or a steady decline over a period of several tanks—is a sign that something might be wrong. I really could not care less if my truck gets 16.5 or 17.3 mpg as long as it's consistent.

Pinging? I haven't had any pinging or rattle from any fuel in years. Up here I use 85 octane in my truck and 87 octane in my wife's car. Though her car has not been to Baja, my truck has and it runs fine (small block V8) on Magna.

Think I'll just keep doin' what I'm doin'.

Allen R
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 08:19 AM
RNR


Hola,, you must have a old truck are something is wrong with your fuel/ign management system...like maybe a bad knock sensor....any truck made from the mid 80's will adjust the mixture and timing to stop pinging and lean mixture !!

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 10:38 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Not being diluted with ethanol is got to be a reason for better mileage on Pemex. 10% ethanol that has only part of the energy of gasoline must cause at least a 5% drop in mileage... while raising the price of food (corn)...?


Ethanol contains one oxygen atom (CH3-CH2-OH). Some oil companies were marketing it as "oxygen-enriched gasoline".

Who *wouldn't* want oxygen-enriched gasoline?

On the bright side, alcohol can act as a stabilizer; Seafoam is about 20% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) which helps prevent varnish formation.




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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 10:44 AM
Stability of Mexican Gas


On a related topic, I've heard that PEMEX fuel tends to "go bad", because it doesn't have the same level of stabilizers and additives that US fuel does.

I have an old Toyota 4X4 that I use almost exclusively for Baja trips; I very seldom use it at home. As such, I try to burn off all the Mexican gas first before it letting it sit, and I'm not sure that's really necessary.

Does anyone have experience with letting PEMEX gas sit in your vehicle unused for perhaps months at a time?




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captkw
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:14 AM
CHUBA


YOU really don't want the calif ethanol gas to sit in your toy !! I think that in la jolla (blacks B) the gas is E15 and there is no known additive to correct the "phase separation" that ethonal gas does...If you get a chance you tube "Phase separation" freeeking amazing the crap being shoved down are throats !!:?:

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:17 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by Chupacabra
On a related topic, I've heard that PEMEX fuel tends to "go bad", because it doesn't have the same level of stabilizers and additives that US fuel does.

Does anyone have experience with letting PEMEX gas sit in your vehicle unused for perhaps months at a time?


Have an old Chevy pickup (carbureted) that sits unused in Baja for about six months at a time.

If I remember to add a bit of Stabil fuel additive to it before I leave, it'll fire right up.

If I forget, nothing except priming it with fresh fuel (half a shot glass straight down the carburetor throat) will get it going.

At the other end of the trip (US side), I have another old Chevy pickup (carbureted) that also sits for about six months. It fires right up, every time, no additives.

So, in my experience, US gas seems to have the better stabilizers than MX gas.....
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:19 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
YOU really don't want the calif ethanol gas to sit in your toy !! I think that in la jolla (blacks B) the gas is E15 and there is no known additive to correct the "phase separation" that ethonal gas does...If you get a chance you tube "Phase separation" freeeking amazing the crap being shoved down are throats !!:?:

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]


Hmmmmm. I always purge my outboard (1984 Mercury 35) just before putting my Whaler away for the winter, but I often have CA gas in the tanks left over. The next year the motor appears to run fine on that old fuel. Am I making a huge mistake using that "old gas".?

Barry
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:34 AM
Hola,Barry


Now, that all gas sold in calif. is at least 10 percent ethanol gas....WHILE SITTING WILL LOSE ITS OCTANE ...ooops Damn caps....And on that motor ,,,needs Good gas..I have a TSB (tech servie bullitun) from mercury marine last year to the calif. dealers that states.."Gas sitting 15 days can go bad" and I'm seeing ethanol fuel related problems everyday now... and would highly recommend to run fresh fuel at all times..and retarding the WOT timing 2 degrees is also recommended....the switch from MTBE additives to ethanol raised it's ugy head last year and now, it's a full blown problem for any motor (fuel) that sit's...fuel additives will NOT stop the ethanol related issues...FACT!!! and It the will get worse and ALL calif folks will have issues on chain saws,,weed wackers,,lawn mowers, any motor that sits for long periods of time...as a fellow marine tech posted on marine engine blog posted....Its a government marine tech supplement plan !! Keeping us Busy!!

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]
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Barry A.
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:47 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Now, that all gas sold in calif. is at least 10 percent ethanol gas....WHILE SITTING WILL LOSE ITS OCTANE ...ooops Damn caps....And on that motor ,,,needs Good gas..I have a TSB (tech servie bullitun) from mercury marine last year to the calif. dealers that states.."Gas sitting 15 days can go bad" and I'm seeing ethanol fuel related problems everyday now... and would highly recommend to run fresh fuel at all times..and retarding the WOT timing 2 degrees is also recommend....the switch from MTBE additives to ethanol raised it's ugy head last year and now, it's a full blown problem for any motor (fuel) that sit's...fuel additives will NOT stop the ethanol related issues...FACT!!! and It the will get worse and ALL calif folks will have issues on chain saws,,weed wackers,,lawn mowers, any motor that sits for long periods of time...as a fellow marine tech posted on marine engine blog posted....Its a government marine tech supplement plan !! Keeping us Busy!!

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]


Thanks, Capt.---good stuff!

Now, can I pour that pre-mixed (oil & gas) boat fuel into my injected pickup to burn it off without hurting anything, in your opinion?

Barry
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:49 AM
NO,,NO,,NO


use it for fire starting !!
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:55 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
use it for fire starting !!


DARN!!!!!! thanks for the advice--------this could get relatively expensive as I know I have at least 10 gals in those boat tanks.

Also, I know that I have a full aux. tank (18 gal.) on my '94 Ford Pickup (w/ a 460 V8 ) and the gas is at least a year old. (I seldom drive the truck anymore).

Looks like I have some problems. :mad:

Barry
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:56 AM
Almost forgot !!


mid grade or better...never ever use a low grade in a marine motor !! BTW.. A melted piston in a outboard is a UGLY thing to see...costly !!

[Edited on 10-31-2013 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 11:58 AM


Wow, I have ALWAYS used 87 oct. in my Mercury 35-------the local boat-moter guy said that was the way to go?!?!?!?!?!?

It gets confusing!!!!

Barry
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 12:06 PM
87 octane


A few years back would have been fine...But,, today mid grade or better and keep the cooling system in top shape and don't over prop...retarding the timing at WOT is recommended for most earlier motors.. and on pre mix its Still a heavy 50 to 1 ratio,,,and the most overlooked parts/service on a outboard is thremastats and running mercurys motor tuner or yamaha's ring free thru the motor...every 100 hrs...its a carbon remover and most guys have never heard of it...Shucks !!!........K&T
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[*] posted on 10-31-2013 at 12:16 PM


Many thanks, Capt. Will do. already taking notes. :yes:

Barry
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[*] posted on 11-2-2013 at 04:09 PM
!!fill 'er up, Evil Ess Yooo Vee!!


Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
With recent forum topics discussing the various attributes of California gas, Mexican gas, short liters, high/low octane, etc. ......


2005 Toyota 4 Runner V8, 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

Definite difference to the better when filling up in AZ after using CA gas with the Jeep, Pemex Magna also. The Toyota doesn't seem to care. Both vehicles are well maintained.:light:
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[*] posted on 11-2-2013 at 04:50 PM


be assured...mid grade and premium are marketing ploys to get more money out of you...that's it

always buy regular and save the buck

everyone "feels better" when they "think" they are feed their baby better food

you might as well just light your fireplace with money




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[*] posted on 11-2-2013 at 06:15 PM
MY GOD MAN(bob)


There is three grades of auto gas and two ways of measurement in calif.. I assume you have never heard of SAE,,CARB and a whole bunch of others that test fuels....Let me put it this way...weather I'm working on a 5K.dlls motor or a 50k..dlls.motor...I sure in HELL better have study time,,know how..and really know what I'm doing..if not..I would have been out of work a long,long time ago...today the base stock is all about the same..but the better the grade the more additives...If you think you are in a postion to argue with that...knock yourself out..folks and their children depend on me doing my job with all the best of my skills that I can be..THaT,,no one can take from me..And,, its well known here what I do for a living..SO,till you can show me anything that you have a clue about fuels..............BTW,,do you drive a BUG ??
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[*] posted on 11-3-2013 at 10:32 AM


captkw, while I have always used 87 octane regular in my V-6 Tacoma (as recommended by Toyota)... I did try using Shell and Chevron Premium on a recent road trip and gained 1-2 mpg increase over using Costco, ARCO, and 76 Regular on the same driving conditions and cargo.

Is it more of an ethanol content thing than an octane thing, if Costco/ARCO has more ethanol than Shell or Chevron?

I am now comparing Shell Regular to Costco Regular for city driving.

I know that ethanol-free PEMEX increases my mileage the most... Isn't better mileage (using less fuel) important anymore vs. burning corn (food) in our cars?




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[*] posted on 11-3-2013 at 11:18 AM
DK &


I wished it was One easy answer...ITS Not!! I do a lot of study and try my best to be update and informed..but the past two years .......its been change by the week...Lots oF PLAYERS IN THE FEILD AND AS OF today the Midwest with its GMO corn is really pushing the ethanol !!! I can say without any problem that in a marine motor run mid top grade fuel...in a car depends on so many factors ......but...think about it... hard to wrong with TOP SHELF !!
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