06-20-2017, 04:52 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2016 White 2SS - M6- MRC- NPP Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 53
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E15 Ethanol?
Where I live it's difficult to find 93 octane fuel. The few stations that carry premium usually only have 91 octane. However, one benefit of living in the land of corn[huskers] is a lot more stations are carrying e15 with an octane rating of 94. Has anyone tried e15 on a stock 2ss? would i need the flex fuel conversion? Other thoughts?
Thanks in advance. GBR. |
06-20-2017, 05:28 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2017 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 58
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It's my understanding that E15 and above require (strongly suggested) flex fuel. But don't make bank on that. I think at tht level fueling requirements change enough to require an altered tune.
ETA: What does the user manual say? It may be specifically addressed there. |
06-20-2017, 05:59 PM | #3 |
Markoon13
Drives: Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Diego
Posts: 853
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Why do you need 93? 91 is just fine.
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06-20-2017, 06:25 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2017 Corvette Stingray Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 58
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Is it really okay for my car?
This is a tricky question and the subject of a lot of hand-wringing right now. The gas you use now is often 10 percent ethanol, but some industry groups believe the higher concentration of E15 will cause problems. All cars 2007 and newer should be compatible with E15 because automakers have changed the formulation of the affected components. The EPA has certified vehicles in the U.S. fleet made in 2001 or newer, and all Flex Fuel–capable vehicles (able to use up to an 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline mix) as E15 compatible. One study conducted at Kettering University found no remarkable degradation in fuel systems all the way back to 1995 model years. But the main issue is whether or not your vehicle will be covered under warranty for any damage caused by E15 usage, and in many cases the answer is no. GM and Ford have certified their own vehicles starting with the 2012 and 2013 model years, respectively, so some brand-new cars will have no trouble at all. http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...-e15-15096134/ |
06-21-2017, 07:38 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Mount Dora, FL
Posts: 792
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The ECM is set to operate with its stoich set for E10. Running E15 is going to be less of a swing from E10 than if you were to put in E0. The real concern is what is the octane of the E15. If they start with a low octane base 15% ethanol isn't going to move he needle much. I'd probably stick with 93 or install the sensor and go E85.
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06-21-2017, 08:36 AM | #6 | |
Drives: 2016 White 2SS - M6- MRC- NPP Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 53
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The e15 blend is cheaper here.
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06-21-2017, 08:39 AM | #7 | |
Drives: 2016 White 2SS - M6- MRC- NPP Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 53
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Quote:
In reality I intend to own this car for much longer than the warranty runs so the longevity of the fuel system is more important to me. |
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06-21-2017, 08:55 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2016 White 2SS - M6- MRC- NPP Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 53
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Found this in the users manual page 235
Prohibited Fuels Gasolines containing oxygenates such as ethers and ethanol, as well as reformulated gasolines, are available in some cities. If these gasolines comply with the previously described specification, then they are acceptable to use. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing more than 15% ethanol must be used only in FlexFuel vehicles. So now that is say "not more than 15%" I feel like GM couldn't deny me warranty work but that doesn't really answer the question of if it would cause any component damage to the car. |
06-21-2017, 09:56 AM | #9 |
Drives: HB 2SS Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 518
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+1 on this. E15 blend is cheaper for a reason. You bought an expensive sports car, don't cheap out on the smaller things. Especially gas or else something might be going knock knock on the engine doors. Inb4 knock sensor and timing.
To stick with the original topic at it's purist. The manual says up to E15 max is fine with the blends as someone else pointed out. Otherwise there would be a lot more issues in general out there if that blend isn't approved. |
06-21-2017, 10:03 AM | #10 |
Drives: 50th anniversary camaro 2ss Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 37
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Op I was wondering the same thing cuz even 91 is hard to find at times in central ne.
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06-21-2017, 10:12 AM | #11 | ||
Drives: 2016 White 2SS - M6- MRC- NPP Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Quote:
Agreed JD. In small town Nebraska you are probably more likely to find a Coop offering ethanol blends than you are to find a station offering premium fuel. I have 4 gas stations in my town, only one sells 91 octane premium. In one of the larger central NE towns, I drove to 4 stations before I found one that offered premium but could've bought e15 at two of them. |
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06-21-2017, 11:58 AM | #12 |
Drives: '17 2SS, NGM, MRC, DPP; '19 F150 Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Katy (Houston), TX
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If the manual states nothing over 15%, then you should be fine.
E15 should be cheaper because, although octane is higher, it contains less energy and your mpg will drop a little. Ethanol contains about 70% of the energy of a gallon of neat gasoline. For example, E85 will give you about 75% of the mpg of E10 gasoline. |
06-21-2017, 12:12 PM | #13 |
Drives: '17 2SS, NGM, MRC, DPP; '19 F150 Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Katy (Houston), TX
Posts: 440
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Oh, and with the same base gasoline that gives 93 octane when blended at 10% ethanol, should give you ~94 octane when blended to 15% ethanol.
My background is I used to blend gasoline for a living, but it's been a while. I now do jet and diesel sales, but I still remember a little bit ;-). |
06-21-2017, 10:47 PM | #14 |
Drives: 50th anniversary camaro 2ss Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 37
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When I go for drives now I look at the pumps at every gas station I got by. I try to remember where 91 is sold. I have found shell almost always has it and Casey's never has it. I may in a few years add the flex sensor but I want warranty now.
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2017 50th anniversary camaro 6 speed, mag ride, and duel mode exhaust.
Ordered 1/11/17 Build date 2/20/17 Took delivery 3/3/17 |
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