Costco

[Irulan]

What is your issue with ethanol gas? Up here, they only sell gas w/ethanol, during the winter months. There is no other option. They do it to improve air quality in winter, and that has certainly improved over the years. We don't find it affects our vehicle's performance, either, so what's the problem?

[Tri Girl]

Like Karen, we only have Sam's club here. I used to go to Costco when I lived on the east coast. I think I like them better.
We buy some things in bulk, but don't go there very often. I buy laundry soap, gum (we are big gum chewers), bisquick, toilet paper, slim fast, and a limited selection of canned goods. Most anything perishable goes bad before we have a chance to use it.
I still like to go there, though, as it saves me money overall- and it's not any further than my favorite grocery store.

[Becky]

We have a BJs membership, and use it for non-perishables like TP, dog food, contact solution, and dry foods. I'll buy meat or produce occasionally, but it's just the two of us, so I have to have a plan for it all! We definitely save money, even with the limited amount of stuff that we buy.

As for ethanol gas: E10 is all that's available in some parts of the country now that MTBE is no longer being produced by many of the refiners, including our local refinery. I have some concerns about ethanol, especially at higher concentrations, but it's my only choice here.

[Tuckervill]

What is your issue with ethanol gas? Up here, they only sell gas w/ethanol, during the winter months. There is no other option. They do it to improve air quality in winter, and that has certainly improved over the years. We don't find it affects our vehicle's performance, either, so what's the problem?

My Honda Element gets 4-5 mpg less on ethanol than it does on plain gas. I can prove it, as I document every single tank and I've plotted many of them on a graph. I can also prove that my car* gets much better mileage in the Northeast than it gets between here and Nashville or in Indiana, Illinois or Missouri. I haven't figured that one out, yet, but I'm thinking that it has to do with emission standards in Northeastern states that we don't have in this part of the country.

Also, if you use ethanol in your gas powered tools (weed-eater, lawnmower, chain saw) the ethanol will separate and will begin to create pits in the sides of the cylinders, thus rendering your power tool inoperable.

Karen
*A 2000 New Beetle and a 2007 Honda Element where both used in this experiment.

[Zen]

You should call Tom and Ray with that one.

[berkeley]

Corn-based ethanol does have a lower energy content than gasoline. The trade off is using a domestically produced fuel source with lower emissions. When we finally get a cellulosic-based ethanol, there will be more benefits (better energy return, etc). If all you're worried about is MPH, then go for 100% petroleum.

The problem with power tools is because they're left sitting for long periods with gas in the tank not being used, I would imagine. That's not really a good idea with any type of gas.

Did you know Brazil has been on ethanol since the 1970s? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_Brazil

[Tuckervill]

Yes, it's all I care about, my gas mileage.

Karen

[berkeley]

Yes, it's all I care about, my gas mileage.

Karen

I'm not trying to put words in your mouth - that's the reason you gave. Are there others?

Ethanol is used instead of MTBE as a fuel additive, too, which is another big environmental upgrade.

[Tuckervill]

I'm not going to use ethanol if I have a choice, a) because it is inefficient and b) because it's a political boondoggle. When it becomes practical to get where I want and need to go without burning fossil fuels, I will do it. But right now, I'm making the best choice for me that I can make.

Karen

[Irulan]

My Honda Element gets 4-5 mpg less on ethanol than it does on plain gas. I can prove it, as I document every single tank and I've plotted many of them on a graph. I can also prove that my car* gets much better mileage in the Northeast than it gets between here and Nashville or in Indiana, Illinois or Missouri. I haven't figured that one out, yet, but I'm thinking that it has to do with emission standards in Northeastern states that we don't have in this part of the country.

Also, if you use ethanol in your gas powered tools (weed-eater, lawnmower, chain saw) the ethanol will separate and will begin to create pits in the sides of the cylinders, thus rendering your power tool inoperable.

Karen
*A 2000 New Beetle and a 2007 Honda Element where both used in this experiment.

in our area, one has no choice, it's mandated by law that the winter fuel is 10% ethanol. I'd have to drive to a different state to get something else.

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, I know, but as long as I have a choice, I'm going to make the one that benefits me the most.

Karen