Anybody have E-15 Ethanol concerns?

[Snagglefoot]

Any engines out there that will adjust their timing to take advantage of 88 vs 87 Octane? I know that some Chevy LS engines especially some of the 6.2 liter engines recommended 93 octane and could adjust the timing to take advantage of it. They will also run on 87 so could 88 help with making up for the theoretical loss in gas mileage?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Any engines out there that will adjust their timing to take advantage of 88 vs 87 Octane? I know that some Chevy LS engines especially some of the 6.2 liter engines recommended 93 octane and could adjust the timing to take advantage of it. They will also run on 87 so could 88 help with making up for the theoretical loss in gas mileage?

All closed loop engines using a A/F sensor to close the loop should I believe. Meaning pretty much everything since around 2000.

Higher octane and higher oxygenate will allow more timing advance.

 

[JavierH19]

I have no issue if pumps offer e88 as a standalone option but i don't want e15 to be the new e10 especially with almost no price decrease. But if people want to save 40-50 cents to run 5% more ethanol let them.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I have no issue if pumps offer e88 as a standalone option but i don't want e15 to be the new e10 especially with almost no price decrease. But if people want to save 40-50 cents to run 5% more ethanol let them.

I could care less if its offered either except, ethanol is highly subsidized.

Where is the "we hate subsidies crowd". They need to come on over here and hate on ethanol with me.

 

[JavierH19]

I could care less if its offered either except, ethanol is highly subsidized.

Where is the "we hate subsidies crowd". They need to come on over here and hate on ethanol with me.

I forgot about subsidies and epa mandates on ethanol. Yeah I'd agree it shouldn't be subsidised or especially mandated. It's all a tax loop where people pay more in taxes so the gov can take that and subsidize something you won't use but other who didn't likely will. High tax costs with minimal benefit in the end.

 

[CleanSump]

The difference between 87 and 89 octane is of zero concern. It's like the people I've seen ask if it will ruin their engine when BMW recommends 91 octane, but the local stations only have 92 or 93. Your engine won't care.
Well, BMW also says in the owners manual, if you would bother to read it, that you can run as low as 87 and it won't hurt your engine, it just isn't optimal and will lower performance and MPG.
However, I'd rather not see Ethanol increase. It isn't proposed as replacing E10, so another no concern. Go to the next station.

 

[rstsco]

I doubt 5% extra really matters that much, but I am unhappy about it also.

That's a 50% increase in ethanol per gallon.

According to the Texas Farm Bureau, this is the fifth consecutive year for the E-15 waiver:

"This is the fifth straight year of E15 waivers...The Biden administration approved waivers from 2022 through 2024, and the current administration continued the practice in 2025 and now 2026."

Yes, but although the waivers were in place, I don't remember seeing any E15 pumps in Texas. Basically, Texas chose to continue using E10. This time, it sounds like we may be moved to E15, whether we like it or not.

My 2025 Pilot's owner's manual states: "Your vehicle is designed to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol
by volume."

Still, I will do my best to find alternatives should my usual Shell station now show Up To 15% Ethanol.

 

[Hall]

How much extra is the no ethanol brew?

It's pretty pricey - maybe $1/gallon higher than ethanol-mixed. I'm looking for some examples but most sources don't include the ethanol-free price (just 3 regular grades + diesel). They rarely list this fuel on their signage either for fear of scaring people ! People who want and seek out ethanol-free fuel know who sells it though and know it costs more, so they don't care. It used to be hard to find too and the suggestion was go to a boat marina to get it !! Ever seen the price of ALL gas at those ?

 

[robbobster]

Yes, for my motorcycles, jet ski and lawn equipment too

Yeah I go out of my way to buy ethanol-free gas for my equipment.

Find stations selling ethanol-free gas in the US and Canada here:
https://www.pure-gas.org/

 

[SC Maintenance]

It's pretty pricey - maybe $1/gallon higher than ethanol-mixed. I'm looking for some examples but most sources don't include the ethanol-free price (just 3 regular grades + diesel). They rarely list this fuel on their signage either for fear of scaring people ! People who want and seek out ethanol-free fuel know who sells it though and know it costs more, so they don't care. It used to be hard to find too and the suggestion was go to a boat marina to get it !! Ever seen the price of ALL gas at those ?

Yes marina prices are crazy.

Several stations here provide E0 for the boating crowd mainly. The two big ones are about $1 per gallon more - E87.

There is a P66 station that the Premium has always been advertised as E0, and its about $1 more than regular so about the same price but higher octane. I only ever bought it for my OPE and generator fuel storage so price was never a concern.

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

My owner manual says up to 15% is ok. Not worried.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Yeah I go out of my way to buy ethanol-free gas for my equipment.

Find stations selling ethanol-free gas in the US and Canada here:
https://www.pure-gas.org/

Unfortunately there are none even remotely close to me in California. I'll have to run racing fuel to avoid the e15 trash

 

[LenZee]

I thought all the ethanol blends are "UP to" E10 or E15 which means it probably would be less Ethanol but may be up to.

 

[fdcg27]

I work for a Honda dealership part time and they DO NOT want you to use 15% in any of the Honda's. According to the lot manager he claims there have been numerous problems arising from running any more than 10%. It's something to do with the fuel system and I do not know what else it compromises maybe the converter but not sure.

That's funny, since the OM for my HAH says that fuels with up to 15% ethanol are just fine to use.
WRT applications in general, E15 is not to be used in motorcycle, boat, RV or OPE applications.
For four wheel road vehicles, consult your OM or manufacturer's website. If these sources say its okay to use E15 then do so and enjoy the savings. As someone noted above, Sheetz typically prices E15 fifty cents a gallon less than E10 and often at the same price as E85, which makes the E15 a real deal for anyone tempted to use E85.

 

[fdcg27]

That's funny, since the OM for my HAH says that fuels with up to 15% ethanol are just fine to use.
WRT applications in general, E15 is not to be used in motorcycle, boat, RV or OPE applications.
For four wheel road vehicles, consult your OM or manufacturer's website. If these sources say its okay to use E15 then do so and enjoy the savings. As someone noted above, Sheetz typically prices E15 fifty cents a gallon less than E10 and often at the same price as E85, which makes the E15 a real deal for anyone tempted to use E85.

For those who want E0, Wawa has it for a dollar more a gallon than their E10.

 

[Rand]

For those who want E0, Wawa has it for a dollar more a gallon than their E10.

Sheetz does too. at least at most of their new locations. (also around 1$ more)

 

[Patman]

My problem is the loss of MPG. When I was able to get ethanol free premium at Costco and Shell I saw a noticeable difference in MPG compared to E10. So another 5% will drop it even further

 

[CleanSump]

My problem is the loss of MPG. When I was able to get ethanol free premium at Costco and Shell I saw a noticeable difference in MPG compared to E10. So another 5% will drop it even further

Our BMWs don't like E0 premium either, for whatever reason. I do put it in the motorcycle and OPE for storage, but as soon as they come out, back to E10. Water isn't going to drop out with Sta-bil in the gas and a only week between operation. Yeah, I hear Ethanol corrodes aluminum, but I have never seen it.

 

[Rand]

My problem is the loss of MPG. When I was able to get ethanol free premium at Costco and Shell I saw a noticeable difference in MPG compared to E10. So another 5% will drop it even further

That can vary with car.
my turbo jeep was within the noise (no noticeable difference) between e10 and e15
I rarely fill up the subaru with e15 as I have another $600 in rewards gasoline which is e10 top tier (and used another $300 in rewards gas this year already)
but the few times I did on trips it returned the expected mpg.. driving into a 5-10mph wind affected my gas mileage more than e15.

93(e10) and 90 e0 are $1 to 1.25$ more per gallon so even with better mpg it would never make sense.
to pay 33% more to get 5-10% better fuel economy-- if that

 

[walterjay]

I think @walterjay had some issues with it

My car ran rough with it.