Tank #20

Since the car did so well with 4.5 gallons of E85 in the tank, I'm pushing on to 5 gallons.


Gallons E85: 5.000 @ $1.839/ gallon


Gallons 87 octane gasoline: 8.373 @ $2.239/ gallon


Ethanol content of tank: 37.87%


Octane of tank: 93.40


Savings per tank vs. premium gasoline @ 2.639/ gallon: $8.19

Discrepancies in E85 pricing due to lack of competition

I was driving on Route 6 in Portage, IN yesterday, and I noticed a lot of stations with E85 (a couple of Family Express', Meijer) within close proximity.  They were charging $1.499 for E85.


At my station, the Meijer in Highland, IN the E85 is priced at $1.889.  It's the only station within miles that sells E85.


That's pretty amazing.  E85 at $1.50 is very compelling when 87 octane (E10) is at $2.29 and 93 octane gas is at $2.69.


I've read that Family Express has started to install blender pumps, and that E85 is the second most popular fuel at their stations.


There is a Family Express in Highland, they just changed brands from Thorton, and they don't yet sell E85.  I hope they upgrade the station soon.

Tank #19

The E85 pump at the Highland Meijer was REALLY SLOW, and I put less E85 in because I was in a hurry.  I wanted to go to 5 gallons, but I only did 4.


Gallons E85: 4.002 @ $1.719/ gallon


Gallons 87 octane: 10.182@ 2.019/ gallon


ethanol content of tank: 32.81%%


octane of tank: 92.2


savings per tank compared to premium @ $2.519/ gallon: $8.2926


Next time I'll put in 5 gallons

CEL lit briefly

So I estimate that this tank is about 35% ethanol.  The CEL lit briefly with three trouble codes, all related to a lean condition.


I was sitting idling for a bit with the AC on, the CEL lit, and after I drove for a bit it went off.  It was the only time on this tank that I got the CEL.

Tank #18

Since the last tank was a little higher ethanol content (4 gallons of E85 rather than the 3.5 gallons that I had been doing) and I didn't get any CELs, I chose to up the ethanol content a bit.


Gallons E85: 4.51 @ $1.75/ gallon


Gallons 87 Octane: 8.692 @ $2.05/ gallon


ethanol content of tank: 35.68%


Octane of tank: 92.883


Savings per tank compared to premium @ $2.55/ gallon: $7.954


I predict that I will get a CEL with this tank.  Looking back at my notes, I believe that when the ethanol content gets to be much above 30%, it throws a CEL.