Ethanol levels near you?

rhodesman · 03-11-2010, 08:29 AM

I was just curious about Ethanol levels and if there is a difference via location/station about levels. I haven't experienced any HPFP failures thankfully *knock on wood* but I know there is some theory that high ethanol levels can cause it.

I went to a Sonoco near my house and there was a big fat sign on the pump that said 10% Ethanol in the gas. Is that higher than normal? I always thought it was 1-5%. Maybe I was just out of it? I dunno.

noro · 03-11-2010, 08:31 AM

here in MA it's 10% everywhere.

roadkillrob · 03-11-2010, 08:31 AM

10% is pretty normal, but a lot test higher than the actual posted 10%

dreamingat30fps · 03-11-2010, 08:39 AM

Yup its ALL 10% here. Unless you get race fuel you pretty much can't get ethanol free gas.

2kaccordocoupe · 03-11-2010, 08:41 AM

Shell V-Power 91 here is 0%

iBoost3d · 03-11-2010, 08:44 AM

Unless its Conventional or Race gasoline, 10% is the standard set by the EPA

JoeyBananaz18 · 03-11-2010, 08:45 AM

10% in NY

cotmfk · 03-11-2010, 08:47 AM

10% everywhere.

bsv2316 · 03-11-2010, 08:52 AM

you will find a few gas stations here and there that market "100% gasoline, no ethanol"

there is only one that I know of in my area....it's a conoco station.

i have heard from multiple people in the industry that shell's V-power 93 is the best gas.

ragingclue · 03-11-2010, 08:55 AM

This map pretty much shows if you're Fd in the A or not

dreamingat30fps · 03-11-2010, 08:57 AM

It really depends on the gas station itself. Because you don't actually know what's in the tank. If the station owner is in need of some cash or something they could technically put whatever they want in that tank and you would be none the wiser.

bsv2316 · 03-11-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

It really depends on the gas station itself. Because you don't actually know what's in the tank. If the station owner is in need of some cash or something they could technically put whatever they want in that tank and you would be none the wiser.

if it has ethanol in it, it is required by law to say "up to 10% ethanol"

dreamingat30fps · 03-11-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsv2316

if it has ethanol in it, it is required by law to say "up to 10% ethanol"

Sure, but what's to stop me from putting more than 10% or putting cheapo gas into the Shell Vpower 93 tank? I don't see the gas police out in force around here.

jt335i · 03-11-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Sure, but what's to stop me from putting more than 10% or putting cheapo gas into the Shell Vpower 93 tank? I don't see the gas police out in force around here.

True. Most gas stations are independently owned and operated and so the owner can get his supply from the cheapest source he chooses. So, for example, even if you think you've filled up with Shell V-power 91-93, it may not be Shell gas.

I personally don't use Shell because they're one of the most expensive in my local area.

bsv2316 · 03-11-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt335i

True. Most gas stations are independently owned and operated and so the owner can get his supply from the cheapest source he chooses. So, for example, even if you think you've filled up with Shell V-power 91-93, it may not be Shell gas.

I personally don't use Shell because they're one of the most expensive in my local area.

maybe you get what you pay for??

dreamingat30fps · 03-11-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsv2316

maybe you get what you pay for??

Or you could be getting Costco gas at shell prices. We just don't know and that's the problem IMO.

Also I found out from another thread I'm suppose to be a business executive looking for business partners for new ventures because I drive a BMW. So if anyone wants to start up the Bimmer gas company, premium gas for premium people, let me know! I think we can make a killing!

Why Knot · 03-11-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

here in MA it's 10% everywhere.

The stations in Western MA are all labeled as 10% maximum ethanol. But who knows what it really is.

ianthegreat · 03-11-2010, 10:10 AM

Texaco's (owned by Chevron) have historically had the highest quality fuel from the refineries.

ragingclue · 03-11-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Knot

The stations in Western MA are all labeled as 10% maximum ethanol. But who knows what it really is.

My dealership here actually went and took some samples once the winter blend hit the streets. They said they consistently found it to be 15%+ and so expected a massive influx of customers with HPFP and injector issues. I go back today so I could probably ask them how bad the winter was this year as far as dead fuel delivery systems go... And while they're at it, they can check out what's causing my semi-long cranks and intermittent shuddering.

iBoost3d · 03-11-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Sure, but what's to stop me from putting more than 10% or putting cheapo gas into the Shell Vpower 93 tank? I don't see the gas police out in force around here.

They have octane oversight programs run by the state. Although not very frequent they do check octanes.
If they sell Conventional gas (which does not have ethanol) they will not put gas with 10% Ethanol in it

bimbopper · 03-11-2010, 10:20 AM

My local Sunoco station in Central Maryland says "up to 10%" ethanol. As long as I am getting an honest 93 octane I guess am okay with it. 10 percent ethanol is what our cars were designed to handle, right?

HoustonScott · 03-11-2010, 10:21 AM

By Federal Law all gas in the US will be 10% ethanol. (stupid) There was a period of time for all stations to comply and high population areas were first but all areas of the US should be converted by now. Where has anyone read or seen info on ethanol being a possible cause of HPFP failures. I have never even seen an article about what fails in the pumps or what they look like, how hard it would be to do your self, what's involved to replace it. I would love to read a tech article about what fails and why. etc....

HS

03-11-2010, 08:29 AM	#1
rhodesman First Lieutenant 113 Rep 367 Posts Drives: E88 135i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 BMW 135i [10.00]	Ethanol levels near you? I was just curious about Ethanol levels and if there is a difference via location/station about levels. I haven't experienced any HPFP failures thankfully knock on wood but I know there is some theory that high ethanol levels can cause it. I went to a Sonoco near my house and there was a big fat sign on the pump that said 10% Ethanol in the gas. Is that higher than normal? I always thought it was 1-5%. Maybe I was just out of it? I dunno. __________________ '10 N54 135i Cabrio \|\| ///M-Sport \|\| SCHWARZ/BEIGE *Mods:* JB4, Trebila Custom tune, FBO, Fuel-It Stg2 LPFP, Berk Street Performance w/ Berk Resonated Midpipes, & lots of little body/OEM+ mods
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03-11-2010, 08:31 AM	#2
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	here in MA it's 10% everywhere. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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03-11-2010, 08:31 AM	#3
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,451 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	10% is pretty normal, but a lot test higher than the actual posted 10% __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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03-11-2010, 08:39 AM	#4
dreamingat30fps Lieutenant Colonel 5330 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	Yup its ALL 10% here. Unless you get race fuel you pretty much can't get ethanol free gas.
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03-11-2010, 08:41 AM	#5
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	Shell V-Power 91 here is 0%
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03-11-2010, 08:44 AM	#6
iBoost3d Private 0 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 335iA Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (1)	Unless its Conventional or Race gasoline, 10% is the standard set by the EPA __________________ www.eastcoastpwc.net
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03-11-2010, 08:45 AM	#7
JoeyBananaz18 Brigadier General 398 Rep 4,084 Posts Drives: metrocard Join Date: May 2009 Location: Whitestone, NY iTrader: (3)	10% in NY __________________ 7/18/09- I pick up my baby- 2009 E92 335i Xdrive, Space Gray over Coral Red. Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, M-Sport Pkg, 193Ms, Gloss Black grills, Custom Gloss Black Mirrors, Performance shift and E-brake boot, M3 spoiler, Euro fog switch, gloss black interior tim, Coco-Mats (red/black), H&R coilovers, 19'' Alufelgen SF-71s......
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03-11-2010, 08:47 AM	#8
cotmfk Major General 2051 Rep 6,110 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere between DC and FL iTrader: (12)	10% everywhere. __________________ When you say impact instead of affect/effect, you are communicating that you don't understand the difference between the two words, and are too lazy to learn.
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03-11-2010, 08:52 AM	#9
bsv2316 Private 7 Rep 71 Posts Drives: e92 335i Montego Saddle Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The 865 iTrader: (0)	you will find a few gas stations here and there that market "100% gasoline, no ethanol" there is only one that I know of in my area....it's a conoco station. i have heard from multiple people in the industry that shell's V-power 93 is the best gas.
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03-11-2010, 08:55 AM	#10
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	This map pretty much shows if you're Fd in the A or not
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03-11-2010, 08:57 AM	#11
dreamingat30fps Lieutenant Colonel 5330 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Florida & NC iTrader: (1)	It really depends on the gas station itself. Because you don't actually know what's in the tank. If the station owner is in need of some cash or something they could technically put whatever they want in that tank and you would be none the wiser.
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03-11-2010, 10:10 AM	#18
ianthegreat Colonel 60 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	Texaco's (owned by Chevron) have historically had the highest quality fuel from the refineries.
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03-11-2010, 10:20 AM	#21
bimbopper Car Guy for life 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: '10 E90 328xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	My local Sunoco station in Central Maryland says "up to 10%" ethanol. As long as I am getting an honest 93 octane I guess am okay with it. 10 percent ethanol is what our cars were designed to handle, right?
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03-11-2010, 10:21 AM	#22
HoustonScott Lieutenant 21 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, montego Blue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Houston, Tx iTrader: (0)	By Federal Law all gas in the US will be 10% ethanol. (stupid) There was a period of time for all stations to comply and high population areas were first but all areas of the US should be converted by now. Where has anyone read or seen info on ethanol being a possible cause of HPFP failures. I have never even seen an article about what fails in the pumps or what they look like, how hard it would be to do your self, what's involved to replace it. I would love to read a tech article about what fails and why. etc.... HS
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