[PhilG968]

Just recently, in the last 2 weeks, Chevron has added a sticker to the 91 Octane pump that say it may contain up to 10% Ethanol. My question is, is that a problem, should I avoid it, buy their 94 Octane with no Ethanol, or switch to Shell 91 with no Ethanol (that I'm aware of).
I don't see the benefit to running 94 all the time, also more expensive.
Any ideas? I don't know much about the gasoline out there.

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[biotechee]

Ethanol is typically more corrosive to *traditional" polymers that might be present in lines, tubes, and seals. As such, older cars might develop leaks in fuel lines and seals via the use of gasoline containing ethanol. Newer cars are obviously manufactured under the assumption of ethanol in the gas. How does that relate to the 968...? Dunno.

Also, I do not know how final concentration affects the degredation or specifically which compounds are more prone. 10% or less might not be overly harmful...

That said, I do not know if the polymers used by Porsche at the time are generally *compatible*. And that said, I am sure there are a lot of people who daily drive their 968 and use gas with ethanol.

Personally, I think it is something to be wary of and to keep a close eye on. If given an option, I'd spring for the more expensive gas without the ethanol. Since my 968 sees limited miles, I would not be opposed to getting the more expensive gas. Unfortunately, I don't think I have that choice where I live.

Doesn't really answer your question - sorry! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.gif[/img]

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[DaveN]

I wouldn't use the 10% myself just because to the propensity for ethanol to absorb moisture; Porsche says it's all good but... I always use Chevron 94 when I have to go on a club drive - spirited driving requires 94 [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
As a DD in the summer when there are not reasons for rev it up I put Chev 91 in without any pinging problems. I can't justify 94 costs just for putzing around town.

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[Chris Vais]

Those of us who live and drive in California have been using fuel that contains ethanol now for quite a number of years. I've owned my 968 now for 14 years and it is used as a daily driver. I run it on 91 octane, which is the best we get here in California unless you want to run racing fuel.

I've read about the destructive impacts associated with ethanol added to fuel, but I can't say that I have experienced any of them first hand in the years that I have been driving the 968. My greatest concern is that ethanol is a water scavanger and that could be a bigger problem if your car is infrequently driven.

My sons 2008 BMW had to undergo extensive replacement of a damaged fuel injection system that was attributed to water contamination. He doesn't drive that many miles, but I don't know whether the water contaimantion can be attributed the water scavanging properties of ethanol or to just a load of water contaminated fuel.

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[Lonestar968]

I'm concerned about all this ethanol talk also.

My car has always been tanked up with Super+ no matter the occasion. Since we don't have any kids at home anymore (thank you Jesus!!!) it's a little less painful for us at the pump using the higher octane fuel than it used to be. I'm not positive, but I don't think they use ethanol additives in Germany.

I have used Premium gas here in the 'States that had ethanol added and I never experienced any ill affects from it.

At least not yet. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img]

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[Lenderlee]

I am here in the Northeast and like California, we have had 10% ethanol in all grades of gas for several years, mandated by law. I have never heard of it causing any problems in cars, of any age, regardless of the driving frequency. It has caused many, many problems in the boats in this area of the country due to the fact that it is corrosive to the polymers in the older fiberglass fuel cells in most boats. I have read a lot on this regarding the situation with boats, having suffered through several fouled carburators and fuel lines/filters in my own boat. But again, it is primarily due to the degration of the fiberglass material the fuel tanks are made of, which turns to a sludgy mush and wreaks havoc with the marine engine. The newer boats with metal or aluminum fuel tanks have fewer issues, although still some due to the water problem. There are also several lawsuits going on nationally against the Chevron/Mobils of the world regarding the damages caused to boats, but in all my reading I have never heard of car problems of any kind. I wouldn't lose any sleep over this issue at all.

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[bob blackwell]

Here in New Mexico we have had "up to 10% ethanol added" 91 octane fuel for as long as I have had my 968 (about 7 years now). No problems at all but it is a daily driver and I use up the fuel pretty quickly. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[Lenderlee]

Also, from page 74 of the Porsche Owners manual....

"Some areas of the U.S. require oxygenated fuels....Oxygenated fuels are fuels which contain alcohols (such as methanol and ethanol) or ether (such as MTBE). Under normal conditions, the amount of these compounds in the fuel will not affect driveability. You may use oxygenated fuels in your Porsche, provided the octane requirements for your vehicle are met."

Not that the manual is bullet proof! but another reason you should sleep fine at night.

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[redbaron]

I live in Pa and hit the brakes (with my Prius - no pun intended) hard recently when I saw a sign that said we sell 100 percent gasoline, no ethanol. Since I would prefer not to put 10 percent ethanol in either my 968 or the 57 Chevy, I thought I would try it in the Prius. Cost was about 2 cents over the other stations (with the 10 percent ethanol). Check out your local Lukoil station to see if they have 100 percent gasoline.

p.s. I have not noticed much difference except I am getting slightly better mileage on the Prius (49.5 instead of 47.5). Will let you know results after I have tanked with the Chevy and the 968.

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[Chris Vais]

As I recall ethanol has less energy per unit volume (fewer BTUs) than gasoline so it stands to reason that one would see a slight decrease in fuel consumption, all other things being equal.

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[DaveN]

20% less Calories, it's like diet gas [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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