Shell gas

[alexstarfire]

I'm just curious as I only noticed this about a month ago, but does Shell have those signs saying the gas may contain up to %10 ethanol anywhere else other than Gwinnett County, Georgia? I've noticed on my last 2 tanks that while my MFD said I had 66 MPG that my actual gas mileage was about %10 of that. It's never been more than 1-2 MPG off before that though.

Also, do any other gas stations have this kind of warning, or use E10?

[Marvinh]

Yes. In the New York Metropolitan area Shell has the same signs. And yes, I think it does affect the gas mileage. - Marvin

[IndyDoug]

Indianapolis Shell stations have the "may contain up to %10 ethanol" sticker on the pumps. I've noticed a slight hit to my MPG when I fuel up at Shell.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Jul 26 2007, 06:27 PM) [snapback]485747[/snapback]</div>

I'm just curious as I only noticed this about a month ago, but does Shell have those signs saying the gas may contain up to %10 ethanol anywhere else other than Gwinnett County, Georgia? I've noticed on my last 2 tanks that while my MFD said I had 66 MPG that my actual gas mileage was about %10 of that. It's never been more than 1-2 MPG off before that though.

Also, do any other gas stations have this kind of warning, or use E10?
[/b]

The ethanol sticker may be standard in NJ. I can say that I haven't taken an mpg hit because of their gas. I can't say with certainty that their gas has improved my mpg as there are too many factors. Use their credit card and get the 5% rebate. After the rebate, is there cheaper gas?

"Usually" the MFD is off 1 or 2 mpg but has been off up to 20%. Almost always the MFD is higher, but not this last tank. 60 or 66 mpg is very good.

[barbaram]

It seems like ALL the stations now say "contains ethanol". I have the willies over this !

May be the new "summer" blend?????

My tanks vary too much because I don't have a station I use all the time to fill up so there are too many variables to make a generalization.

[wrprice]

Shell has had the signs in Houston for a number of months now, including the "winter" (whatever that means in Texas). So I don't think summer/winter blend has anything to do with it.

FWIW, I've noticed a hit in my MPG (vs. last year's) that I can't explain by any other factor.

[jhinton]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Jul 26 2007, 05:27 PM) [snapback]485747[/snapback]</div>

I'm just curious as I only noticed this about a month ago, but does Shell have those signs saying the gas may contain up to %10 ethanol anywhere else other than Gwinnett County, Georgia? I've noticed on my last 2 tanks that while my MFD said I had 66 MPG that my actual gas mileage was about %10 of that. It's never been more than 1-2 MPG off before that though.

Also, do any other gas stations have this kind of warning, or use E10?
[/b]

I just did a trip up to Wisconsin from AL and back through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky , Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. All of the gas stations had stickers that say the fuel may contain up to 10% ethanol. Remember that MTBE is being phased out as an oxygenate in gasoline due to water contamination problems. It is being replaced by ethanol for summer blend fuels by most companies.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Jul 26 2007, 03:27 PM) [snapback]485747[/snapback]</div>

I'm just curious as I only noticed this about a month ago, but does Shell have those signs saying the gas may contain up to %10 ethanol anywhere else other than Gwinnett County, Georgia?
[/b]

Yes, the Shell station I go to in San Jose, CA has that. I think virtually every gas station I go to in the Bay Area has such a sticker.

[geodosch]

Many states have banned MTBE as a fuel additive, which means gasoline producers are effectively required to use 10% ethanol to replace it as an oxygenate. In NJ that has been the case for over a year.

http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.act...contentId=35692

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/mtbe/mtbe-report.htm

As a boater this was a big deal, due to the way ethanol behaves in fuel in the marine environment. The switch-over required filter replacement and other precautions, as the ethanol would bind to water and other contaminants that may have been in fuel tanks for years. Also, some boats had fiberglass tanks where the resins were attacked by the ethanol, destroying the tanks.

It isn't just Shell stations (though maybe their E10 signs tend to be more prominent), and if you live in one of the many states that have banned MTBE, you may have been using E10 for longer than you realized.

[Green Hokie]

Not sure about other states, but the regulation here in Virginia is that all gas stations within a certain mile radius of a city/suburb must sell gas with 10% ethanol. I have no idea what that radius is. However, if I go just outside of town, then essentially all gas stations will have straight petro gas (with no ethanol added).

Fortunately for me, there is a Shell station (which is considered just outside of town and therefore has no ethanol) that is fairly close to my house. Therefore, I've been using the "good stuff" (non-ethanol gas) since I bought my Prius back in March of this year. I also use this Shell gas for my lawn equipment, outboard motor, etc...

The best part is that this Shell station is usually less expensive than even the cheapest station in town (which again must use ethanol). This is obviously because gas with ethanol is more expensive to produce. Thus, I get "higher quality" gas for less money and I get better fuel economy at the same time! :P Life is good!