So I know this is controversial but I recently got gas from Exxon that was 15% ethanol content 93 octane rating and it caused my 2008 MINI S engine to misfire. The engine light started coming on and when I took it to the dealership, they determined it was the high ethanol content causing the misfiring. Incredibly annoying especially b/c the EPA just approved 15% ethanol content for 2007+ vehicles. I feel that this approval will make it really difficult to find gas with lower ethanol contents.

Anyone else experience negative side effects from using higher ethanol content gasoline?

 

See at the link below that BMW just released a statement not to use 15% ethanol blends:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/10/...e15-gas-blend/

 

In reading that article, it seems like it would be hard to actually find a station selling 15% so soon. Where did the OP buy this 15%?

Man, if this actually happens, can you imagine how complicated it's going to be at the gas station? You'll have to read carefully, as there will be pumps for E15 for 2007+ cars, and pumps for E10, for older cars...then of course, the three different grades for each. I imagine simple economics will take over eventually, and as long as E10 is available, people will buy that, because who really wants MORE ethonal?? Eventually, station owners won't want to waste pump space on a product that doesn't sell.

 

I bought the 15% ethanol gas at an Exxon in Loudoun Co. Virginia

I agree that this will cause way too much confusion at the pump.

 

I'm reading a book for school about how terrible corn is and how it destroys the environment and blah blah blah, but this thread got me researching a little and I found this little gem of a website that some of you may find interesting.

http://www.greencar.com/articles/s-b...thanol-gas.php

I hope they come up with a fuel additive (like the lead you can buy some places) to counteract the higher ethanol concentrations. Sounds like the big .gov trying to get something out of all those corn subsidies.

 

This will be a HUGE problem in New Jersey where you aren't allowed to pump your own gas. I would never even see that the gas was 15%. There needs to be some sort of law requiring prominent signage with a warning.

 

@Nick5811 re: fuel additive

I believe that is how the service dept/dealership is addressing the problem, they added some sort of fuel additive to counteract the negative effect of the ethanol. When I pick up the car tomorrow I'll try to inquire exactly what type of additive it is. But they said the engine light/misfiring may continue until I get rid of the gas in my tank and replace it with lower ethanol gas.

 

I don't think that the station can legally sell E15 gas. The only blends approved for sale in the states are E10, E85, and E100.

 

Are you sure you didn't get E85? (85% ethanol 15% gas)

 

Nope, E15 has already been approved for sale by the EPA and deemed appropriate for
2007 and newer cars (despite the fact that BMW for one has stated that
it's not approved by them for their cars). They plan to decide on 2001 - 2007 cars next month.
Here's a thread and the link to the story mentioned in the first post:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...98251-e15.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=130526579

 

Can't pump our own gas in Oregon either but OR has declined the E15 at this point.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/finan.../D9J0V5RO0.htm

 

A friend of mine pointed out this site: http://pure-gas.org/. It lists those stations that are ethanol-free. If you know of one, please add to the list.

 

None near me unfortunately.

 

...is in Freedom New Hampshire, take State Route 25 E off St. Rt. 16 N, just past Ossipee Lake but before the Maine border crossing. It's 5 cents above regular, and cash sales only. Even though it's only 87 octane, It burns fine in my 2004 MCS. (R53)

 

not one in California ?? ....................

 

I live in Mass, I live over a hundred miles from the only e-free station I know of. I maintain a little up-country camp there. In the summer, I spend as much time as I can spare. In the winter, the roads frost-heave so badly, you simply can't bring a MINI Coop up there, even my pick-up gets tossed around like the SS Minnow.

 

Wow, to buy ethanol free gas near me, I apparently need to get it at Murphy USA, the discount gas stations attached to Walmarts around here. Well, at least it's cheap!

But I think I will have to pass, or get the "your wheels fell off since you didn't use top tier gas" speech from my dealer

 

I called my MINI Dealer here in MA, he told me not to use 15% in my 2004 R53.

My 2010 flex-fuel F-150 loses 5% efficiency for every 10% increase in alcohol, it says it right in the owners manual.