Need recomendations...MPG loss with NJ's E10 fuel

[TwoLostMinds]

Our 04 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7 AWD averages 19.24 MPG with NJ's fuel that contains 10% ethanol. Before E10 we used to have a year round average of 20.49 and recently had the opportunity to run a few ethanol free tanks. The non ethanol 5 tank average was 20.54. I'm all for saving the environment but a 10% reduction in our fuel economy on top of outrageous fuel prices is just wrong. (open wallet and dump into big oils pockets)

I know 1.25MPG does not seem like much but with the possibility of $5 or $6/gal by August, its going to add up. What would you suggest to improve my MPG as I can't get any more non ethanol'd gas.

TwoLostMinds

 

[ZZman]

The biggest are really the easiest:

1. Make sure tires are at recommended pressure or a little more.
2. Drive a little slower than usual. 60-65 on Hwy.
3. No jack rabbit starts.
4. Try to time lights and not idle so much at red lights
(UPS started using a right turn only technique when possible
5. Keep vehicle tuned and air filter clean.
6. Use brakes sparingly
7. Combine trips

Google "hypermiling" for more tips.

 

[buster]

Does all NJ gas have ethanol?

 

[mikered30]

Originally Posted By: buster
Does all NJ gas have ethanol?


According to this: http://www.exxon.com/USA-English/GFM/Files/US_Gasoline_Map.pdf yes all of NJ has ethanol, I would assume it is 10%.

 

[Eddie]

E10 will reduce fuel mileage approximately 4.3 % due to the difference in heat value 84000(ethanol) to 115000(gasoline) BTUs per gallon. E85 will reduce your mileage 24.7% I have read that ALL top-tier fuel require 10% ethanol.

 

[Drew2000]

Originally Posted By: Eddie

... I have read that ALL top-tier fuel require 10% ethanol.


No it does not. It may contain UP TO 10% ethanol.

Drew

 

[Eddie]

Just reviewed Top Tier base fuel requirements. Section 1.3.1.2 states that ethanol content must be between 8% and 10%. I knew I read this some time ago Drew2000.

 

[TwoLostMinds]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
The biggest are really the easiest:

1. Make sure tires are at recommended pressure or a little more.
2. Drive a little slower than usual. 60-65 on Hwy.
3. No jack rabbit starts.
4. Try to time lights and not idle so much at red lights
(UPS started using a right turn only technique when possible
5. Keep vehicle tuned and air filter clean.
6. Use brakes sparingly
7. Combine trips

Google "hypermiling" for more tips.


I have been working with my wife to teach her several hypermiling techniques to improve fuel economy. I was hoping to find some cost effective additive to offset the BTU reduction caused by the use of E10.

 

[LCD]

TLM -- I know this may come across as a self-serving post, but you may want to consider LCD’s FP plus for Gasoline as well as our LC 20 for oil. These products work synergistically to clean, lubricate and protect the fuel and oil systems which creates higher efficiency. The customers who have responded to our surveys indicate anywhere from a 6 to 11% improvement in MPG depending on the age of the engine (average was 9.5%). With the current cost of fuel you would only need to see a little more than a 1% improvement for the products to pay for themselves, so they should offer savings above and beyond. Just a suggestion.

 

[glennc]

Let me apologize in advance for any lack of courtesy, but if your customers are reporting an improvement in efficiency of 6-11% then they are suffering from a heavy dose of the placebo effect. Differences like that do not come about from any engine that was in reasonable health to begin with. The only explanation is different driving practices or poor data collection and analysis skills. I realize you are a site sponsor and I appreciate that, but the kind of implied misinformation that is being promoted here, intentionally or not, is severely unproductive.

 

[Eddie]

nicely put glennc. Ed

 

[LCD]

I appreciate your post as well as your skepticism. We definitely can not guarantee significant improvements in gas mileage, nor do we claim to do so. There are a number of variables to consider as you mentioned. However, when a vehicles’ fuel and oil systems are cleaner and well lubricated, an engine will operate more efficiently. We stated the results of the customer survey because it applied to gasoline engines.

We have conducted a recent control based study with Diesel school buses operating routine routes in an attempt to ascertain potential MPG improvement. Both the control buses (business as usual) and the test buses (same routes, with additive added) averaged 2500 miles during the test period. The test buses saw a 9.4% greater MPG improvement than the control buses.

Is this a perfect analysis? No – you can never control all the variables in a real world environment, but it does indicate that the additives may have a positive effect on the efficiency of an engine. With the cost of fuel these days, you don’t need to see a dramatic improvement to make it worthwhile.

Thanks.

 

[RTexasF]

In both of our cars an increase in MPG was realized by using FP60. I do not know the percentage but it was +1MPG on one and +1.5MPG on the other. Same drudge drive to work and back five days a week with A/C always on, same route, same traffic, same drivers. Tanks of fuel without FP60 would drop in mileage accordingly. It made me a firm believer in that product and still use it today. The fuel used did not contain ethanol nor does it now. I have no idea if the gains would be realized with E10. Non believers may flame to their heart's content......be my guest. I have no agenda here, just stating that a product sold by a site sponser works well for me.

I have not used LC 20 for the oil so nothing to say about it.

 

[SrDriver]

Originally Posted By: TwoLostMinds
Originally Posted By: ZZman
The biggest are really the easiest:

1. Make sure tires are at recommended pressure or a little more.
2. Drive a little slower than usual. 60-65 on Hwy.
3. No jack rabbit starts.
4. Try to time lights and not idle so much at red lights
(UPS started using a right turn only technique when possible
5. Keep vehicle tuned and air filter clean.
6. Use brakes sparingly
7. Combine trips

Google "hypermiling" for more tips.


I have been working with my wife to teach her several hypermiling techniques to improve fuel economy. I was hoping to find some cost effective additive to offset the BTU reduction caused by the use of E10.


We have the same engine and find that along with the other tips mentioned here that we use between 2 to 2.5 oz of Lucas (UCL). We have the 5.25 oz bottles that we keep in both cars and refill from a large bottle to save money. We always add the Lucas before pumping gas so it gets mixed up good.

We fill the 5.25 oz bottle about 1/2 full and when down about 10 - 12 gallons of gas stop at the station, add the Lucas, then pump the gas.