This morning I was able to start the car and back it out of the garage, then I turned off the engine and went back to the house to get something. After I came back the car would start but kept stalling. After numerous attempts I called MINI Roadside Assistance who took the car to the dealer. The dealer couldn't figure out anything wrong with the car and somehow the problem miraculously went away. ??? Does anybody know what this is?

I have only had 1500 miles on this MCS and now this? My condifence is shattered. Maybe I shouldn't have traded in my 2006 MC!

 

Switch the gas brand. Too much ethanol in the gas will do that to your car.

 

Lately I have been buying gas from Mobil. Theirs is not good enough?

 

look on the pump, it should have a little sticker stating their ethanol blend, just posted about this in another thread, many states have a winter oxygenated fuel program. Even if you're in a state that doesn't have a mandatory program, many of the gas stations may still be using the blended fuel, sometimes all year long.

it also cuts power & fuel economy slightly.

 

Thanks, so I suppose I should stay away from Oxygenated gasoline?

 

Up to 10% Ethanol is fine, make sure you fill up with 91 octane.

 

I don't use anything less than Premium--93 octane. I think it runs best on this. I usually use Shell, or Texaco. Unfortunately, it does have 10% ethenol, unless I go to one of outlying counties that have no air pollution restrictions.

 

I get Premium 93 octane too, should I be checking what's in it from now on? I mean the content might be different between various brands?

 

I don't use junk brands--Sams, etc. I know people who have had terrible performance from them (on non-MINI cars). The better ones have cleaning additives.

 

different brands & different locations, eg. a chevron station in the city vs. a chevron in the 'burbs may have different ethanol levels.