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08-12-2009, 06:41 PM | #24 |
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It's also recommended that you use a fuel system cleaner every so often.
Red Line - SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner |
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08-12-2009, 06:58 PM | #25 |
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08-12-2009, 07:19 PM | #26 | |
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The only difference between brands is detergent additive packages, which are added to the tanker at each loading point. Those additives depend upon whether the tanker is going to a Shell or some other station. Ethanol is NOT part of the additive package. Ethanol use is largely location-specific in this country. If where you live is the location identified below your avatar, you are getting about 10% ethanol in your Shell or Sunoco.
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08-12-2009, 07:29 PM | #29 |
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. . . except for additive packages, which can make a big difference in terms of keeping valves and combustion chambers clean. That is THE reason for going with a Top Tier-certified fuel such as Shell . . . it's all in the additives. In terms of ethanol, it is all the same in a given location, despite the brand, although it does vary across the country. There are Federal regulations for mixtures in urban vs. rural areas, and winter vs. summer mixes to control pollution. Virtually all of the mid-Atlantic and northeast US are classified as an "urban area," and you're getting ethanol a good portion of the year. And then there is California . . .
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08-12-2009, 08:03 PM | #30 | |
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As for the Ethanol. At least in Canada they have to say on the pump when it's 10% etc so you can pick and choose if you don't want to have it. My only problem is that I don't want to use less than 94 and therefore I'm stuck with Sunoco (Canadians correct if I'm wrong) which does have Ethanol. At 10% it's not going to cause any longevity problems but it will affect MPG. E85 runs at about 2/3 the mpg of 100% petrol. So E10 will affect it but not hugely. What's the lowest octane anyone runs their M3 on regularly? |
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08-12-2009, 08:31 PM | #31 | |
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The ethanol question is another good argument for buying only Top Tier-certified fuel. One of the standards is no more than 10% ethanol. I hope no one believes the rather irresponsible posts above about E85 (85% ethanol). Check your BMW owner's manual, which states up to 10% is OK, but anything over is not. Only certain cars, including many GM models have been modified to run on E85. There are no BMW models certified for E85, at least not in the U.S.
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08-12-2009, 09:20 PM | #33 | |
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On the positive side of E85, while you only get 2/3 mpg you do get more bhp so those of us that care less about mpg and more about bhp should cheer on manufacturers like koenigsegg |
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08-12-2009, 09:33 PM | #34 |
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Sometimes I still wonder if you are getting what you think you are pumping out of the ground. I have seen some off brand tankers at some stations and also worry about the actual % of ethanol in the gas. If it is cheaper to include more ethanol in the gas, I would think that they try to include as much as they can get away with....which will give the cars problems. How do you go about getting the fuel at a particular station analyzed?
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08-12-2009, 09:41 PM | #35 |
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08-12-2009, 09:56 PM | #36 | |
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It doesn't matter what "off-brand" tanker delivers it to whatever brand station. The only thing that is supposed to happen when the tanker is loaded is that the appropriate detergent additive package is added if it is destined for an Exxon/Mobil, Shell, Chevron, Amoco/BP, or whatever station.
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08-13-2009, 01:02 AM | #38 |
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08-13-2009, 02:59 AM | #39 | |
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For gas I like British Petroleum (BP) Ultimate-93 over Shell V-Power but Shell comes in a close 2nd.
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08-13-2009, 05:58 AM | #40 |
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i put in sunoco ultra whenever i can . there are no shell stations by me and no 76 stations in jersey. good thing cause if i saw racing fuel 100 octane id put it in
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08-13-2009, 07:07 AM | #42 | |
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What the manual says is that using up to 10% ethanol will not void the warranty: "Fuel containing up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight... will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship." |
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08-13-2009, 07:54 AM | #44 |
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