Cost of Regular vs. Premium Fuel

[towpro]

Where I live I can get 90 octane ethanol free where I live for the same price as Premium (which is 91 octane).
I know in my other cars and bikes I seem to get about 10% better MPG using non ethanol.
Do you think this 90 ethanol will yield even better MPG than 91 with 10% ethanol?
If someone had the ford tune, is it better to run 90 ethanol free vrs 91 with ethanol?
I can get 92 octane non ethanol, but its probably more expensive, and its out of the way.
(well, if its right next to jersey mikes subs, so I have no problems going out of my way for this one )
I also see Sunoco has 93 octane 10% at the pumps

Sponsored

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm just happy I've been averaging at least 20 mpg on every tank instead of the 14 mpg I averaged on my old Sport Trac. I do not have a tune and no plans to get one, so far I've seen no difference in mpg between 87, 89, and 93. Most of the time I run 88 octane E15 just because it's 20 cents less. I drive a lot for work though so it adds up, on average I burn a tank and a half a week.

 

[slowmachine]

Where I live I can get 90 octane ethanol free where I live for the same price as Premium (which is 91 octane).
I know in my other cars and bikes I seem to get about 10% better MPG using non ethanol.
Do you think this 90 ethanol will yield even better MPG than 91 with 10% ethanol?
If someone had the ford tune, is it better to run 90 ethanol free vrs 91 with ethanol?
I can get 92 octane non ethanol, but its probably more expensive, and its out of the way.
(well, if its right next to jersey mikes subs, so I have no problems going out of my way for this one )
I also see Sunoco has 93 octane 10% at the pumps

E10 (10% Ethanol, 90% gasoline) is the most common blend in the USA. From memory, the energy content of E10 (BTU/mass) is about 3% less than pure gasoline. However, the Ethanol raises the octane rating 2-3 points, which can make up, and possibly exceed, the difference in MPG. Modern engines are tuned for E10, but you'll commonly see a drop in MPG with E10 if you're driving an older vehicle without a knock sensor. I don't miss the days of carburetor and distributor tuning. The computers do it all effortlessly.

 

[Grumpaw]

Where I live I can get 90 octane ethanol free where I live for the same price as Premium (which is 91 octane).
I know in my other cars and bikes I seem to get about 10% better MPG using non ethanol.
Do you think this 90 ethanol will yield even better MPG than 91 with 10% ethanol?
If someone had the ford tune, is it better to run 90 ethanol free vrs 91 with ethanol?
I can get 92 octane non ethanol, but its probably more expensive, and its out of the way.
(well, if its right next to jersey mikes subs, so I have no problems going out of my way for this one )
I also see Sunoco has 93 octane 10% at the pumps

There are so many variables included in your questions that it is impossible for any of us to give you a solid answer.
If/when you get a tune, it would be best to deal with answers directly from whatever company is supplying it...they are the ones who have, hopefully, done the research on different grades, qualities, and non-ethanol fuels.
As for the rest, non ethanol vs ethanol, your just going to have to experiment as any results anyone here has had, will not mean anything to you as it's all dependent on your driving habits, area your in, altitude, dry or wet climate, and a dozen other variables.
Your in central Florida, basically flat land. I'm in the mountain area of Virginia. We could both have the exact same truck, right down to the same mods, with exactly the same driving habits, and yet our mpg would be totally different.
There is no right or wrong answer, just different variables that will effect the outcome.

 

[Langwilliams]

I have a premium fuel tune in my truck. Around here cheap no name gas stations charge $.60 more for premium. Top tier stations charge $.70 more. I burn about a tank a week an it costs about $10 a tank for top tier premium. Costco is about $.60 a gal cheaper for premium. I could pay the $60 membership an save about $500 a year, making running premium the same price as non wholesale club regular. The problem is the nearest Costco is 13 miles away an it's in a busy crappy access shopping center. I'd have to make a special trip just to get gas every week. I live alone an don't need a wholesale club for anything else.

 

[CB750F]

I'm certainly guilty of bitchin about my MPGs.
I was doing only 18mpg, now with 6k miles, about 22mpg, so now I won't bitch anymore.
As someone else said, I check to know how far I can go, but the truck does that now
and if it fluctuates too much, but the truck does that too with a CE light.(I hope).

EDIT - I agree the cost per yr is not very much either way.

 

[JesseS]

The fuel "gauges" in all my vehicles only have 3 levels...
Full to half full.....no worry.
1/2 to 1/4.....thinking about fuel.
1/4.....look for gas station.

Well, my damn 'Low Fuel' light comes on at 50 miles left, at least according to the computer, the gauge still says close to 1/4 tank.

 

[Jacob]

I ran all three (87/89/91) awhile back and best MPG was 89. Made no sense to me what so ever. I’ve just come to realize, the difference is not so much within the octane, but the driver. And so I will continue to save the roughly .40 cents a gal between 91/87 here in Cali. To each their own tho

 

[VAMike]

Drilling down into VA, the current state average difference between Regular and Premium is $0.71 today. Here in NH, the difference is $0.59, which seems accurate compared to my "windshield tour" of local stations.

https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=VA

Even state level numbers are kinda bogus--there are tremendous differences just driving a few miles out of most population centers.

 

[slowmachine]

Even state level numbers are kinda bogus--there are tremendous differences just driving a few miles out of most population centers.

Yes. The differences from one county or metro area to another are significant. Same here. The county where I live is the least expensive in the state. We always try to refuel near home.

 

[D Fresh]

Thanks or doing the math for us.

At $55 accross 750 miles the difference in cost is negligible.

Just cements my opinion that if you're putting low grade fuel in your truck to save money you probably should be driving a 2010 Ranger instead.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

Everyone gets hung up on price when they see a 0.40 per gallon difference and freaks out. If you actually do the math it only comes out to a few extra dollars a week using premium. Unless you're Sid @Msfitoy and drive 1,200 miles a week it's not going to break your bank account. ?

You spend $40K on a vehicle and want to cheap out a couple of bucks per week using better gas, doesn't make any sense. I mean my body can run on McDonalds food but I don't put that garbage in it. It runs much better when I eat better so why skimp with your truck??‍

Hey Dave. I am sorry to write that a few dollars per week means a sticker per week. Let me be outraged over the increase in gas prices. Otherwise, I won't able to be close to this magnificent stickered truck.

 

[D Fresh]

Hey Dave. I am sorry to write that a few dollars per week means a sticker per week. Let me be outraged over the increase in gas prices. Otherwise, I won't able to be close to this magnificent stickered truck.

 

[Msfitoy]

Everyone gets hung up on price when they see a 0.40 per gallon difference and freaks out. If you actually do the math it only comes out to a few extra dollars a week using premium. Unless you're Sid @Msfitoy and drive 1,200 miles a week it's not going to break your bank account. ?

You spend $40K on a vehicle and want to cheap out a couple of bucks per week using better gas, doesn't make any sense. I mean my body can run on McDonalds food but I don't put that garbage in it. It runs much better when I eat better so why skimp with your truck??‍

BB, when the mean Tweeter was in charge, regular fill up (theoretical full 18 gallons) was around here $31.00 and premium at $48.00...AB, regular has now surpassed BB's premium rate at $52.00 and premium is now un-affordable at $63.00...I sure miss the mean Tweets...

 

[Trigganometry]

The fuel "gauges" in all my vehicles only have 3 levels...
Full to half full.....no worry.
1/2 to 1/4.....thinking about fuel.
1/4.....look for gas station.

Sponsored