Why are we still using ethanol?

[dnw64]

Why do we still add ethanol to gasoline.

I do not include myself in your "we".

I put non-ethanol 91 octane in all gasoline burning engines I own, from string trimmer to my 5.7L Hemi and everything in between. If I'm going to ingest corn (and I do, with love) I prefer it to be picked today.

 

[MossRoad]

Just to be clear on the reasons for the U.S. life expectancy dropping....

"In its report, the CDC highlighted three things that have contributed to American's shrinking life expectancy in recent years: drug overdoses, chronic liver disease, and suicide."

From here:
The decline in U.S. life expectancy is unlike anything we've seen in a century | Popular Science

 

[check]

I am glad ethanol if readily available. Due to the low pricing, my 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0 has been on E85 exclusively for almost 2 years.

I filled up the other day for $1.12 a gallon. It got as low as $.99 for a couple of weeks. Murphy station in Newton, Iowa. Pump price with no discount.

My 2500 averages about 10 mpg on the stuff. So right now the cost per mile is 11 cents a mile. For my 3/4 ton pickup to get 11 cent per mile fuel cost using regular non ethanol gas, it would have to average almost 21 mpg. That is not ever going to happen. Even on E10, it would have to average 19 mpg to get 11 cents per mile fuel cost. Again, not going to happen. A Diesel 3/4 ton would have to average almost 26 mpg for all miles to get 11 cents per mile fuel cost. Again, not going to happen anytime soon.

Been using various blends of ethanol since it started being available in the late 70's. My 1974 Pontiac used E10 all the time after it started being at the pumps. Car had 250,000 miles on it when it died of body cancer. Motor was still good. No carburetor or fuel system problems.

I am an advocate of letting people choose if they want to or don't want to use the stuff as they see fit.

Gheez, time to buy a tanker truck and head South! Right now in Toronto, gas is over $3 US a gallon. ($4 Canadian)

 

[Jstpssng]

Just to be clear on the reasons for the U.S. life expectancy dropping....

"In its report, the CDC highlighted three things that have contributed to American's shrinking life expectancy in recent years: drug overdoses, chronic liver disease, and suicide."

From here:
The decline in U.S. life expectancy is unlike anything we've seen in a century | Popular Science

There's always got to be one in the crowd. You aren't happy unless throwing facts out in the middle of a discussion.

 

[Oldoak]

There's always got to be one in the crowd. You aren't happy unless throwing facts out in the middle of a discussion.

Nothing wrong with a good discussion, however, it's always nicer to deal with the facts rather than sort through all the B.S.

I am surprised the CDC didn't list obesity and lack of exercise as a major contributing factor of a shorter life expectancy here in the U.S.

 

[Jstpssng]

Nothing wrong with a good discussion, however, it's always nicer to deal with the facts rather than sort through all the B.S.

I am surprised the CDC didn't list obesity and lack of exercise as a major contributing factor of a shorter life expectancy here in the U.S.

Mine was a tongue in cheek comment. Your last comment is all too true. However to even mention somebody's weight is now taboo, and even has a term; "fat shaming".

 

[Oldoak]

Mine was a tongue in cheek comment. Your last comment is all too true. However to even mention somebody's weight is now taboo, and even has a term; "fat shaming".

I figured as much referring to your "tongue in cheek" comment. And my comment was by no means a slight toward you. That's one thing about comments on the internet, a person's true expressions cannot be seen or heard. :drink:

Although I do not conform to today's "politically correct" culture, I don't believe in shaming anybody but I still call a spade a spade. :confused3:

 

[kf4uda]

I bought a new F-150 last year and have mostly ran 87 octane E10. I have tried different octane ratings just to see if it does better. The truck is "flex fuel" ready so I decided to try a tank of E85. The truck ran just fine on the fuel but the miliage dropped about 2.5mpg. The E85 was only .10 cents cheaper than E10 thus I saved about $2.

Now that I am a member of the "been there and done that" club, I don't see the point. Why would I want to run E85 since there is no advantage whatsoever? I eat corn and feed it to my sheep. I don't see where it has a place in my gas tank.

 

[goeduck]

I eat corn and feed it to my sheep. I don't see where it has a place in my gas tank.

Right, it has no logical reason to be in your tank. Only illogical reasons.

 

[JNA]

2014 expidition flex fuel I get better milage and more hp w/ premium. Not sure about cost.