Fuel info - possible DOT increase in % of ethenol content

JayD · 09-17-2009, 04:58 PM

I called BP yesterday to get some info as to why they are not listed on the "top tier fuel" web site. (see my post from a few days ago). A chemist with them called me back and said their fuel exceeds the top tier requirement for detergant additives across all octane ratings. A few years ago it was just the premium fuel that had the most comprehensive additive package, now its all grades. They chose as a company decision not to participate in the top tier program. He said they would back me up with a technical letter sent to my dealer if BMW ever denies warranty work citing that I was not using top tier fuel. He was quite helpful. Now for the ALARMING part. He did say the DOT will rule on Dec 1 weather or not to allow the ethenol content maxium to go from 10% to 15-20%. I stated to him that some engines won't operate correctly with an ethenol content % that high. He agreed with me but said it is strickly political. I certanly hope for my N54's sake and my big block 454 motor in my boat, that the government does not pass the increase!!!

BK · 09-17-2009, 05:04 PM

Blame former presidential nominee General Wesley Clark. He's the head of the ethanol producers' lobbying arm. It's EPA, not DOT that they are lobbying. EPA is responsible for overseeing gas blends. Also, it's an increase to 15%, not 20%.

In any case, I share you annoyance and frustration, but ultimately this topic isn't E9x and belongs in the General Automotive forum.

BTW - the knock on Gen Clark is tongue in cheek. He's just one of several knuckleheads to blame.

ragingclue · 09-18-2009, 11:21 AM

There's talk that raising the ethanol content would actually cause gas to fail CARB's own standards. There's a big seesaw debate going on between the EPA and CARB as far as what pollutants are acceptable in what amounts, and how they are caused. CARB has gone to great lengths to prove that "cradle to grave" pollution when using ethanol blends is greater than vanilla gasoline. The more ethanol we add, the worse that number gets. However, there have been credible refutations and refutes to those refutations, to the point where it's hard to tell what the truth is, but I don't believe that this will be passed.

E82tt6 · 09-18-2009, 10:36 PM

Ethanol is garbage, and if it weren't for the fact that our government was run by greedy DBs getting paid off by companies that make it to push it, it wouldn't even in our fuel.

Citizen Z · 09-19-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E82tt6

Ethanol is garbage, and if it weren't for the fact that our government was run by greedy DBs getting paid off by companies that make it to push it, it wouldn't even in our fuel.

Ethanol is a fantastic race fuel, if your engine can deal with it. It just kills the gas mileage though. My car gets about 2-3mpg better fuel economy on the highway with pure gasoline vs a 10% ethanol blend.

RENN Spec · 09-22-2009, 08:22 PM

e85 ftw!

TexAg06 · 09-22-2009, 11:06 PM

i'm torn on this. i hate the reduced mileage.

but, my company is getting into the ethanol business. so, it could help my paycheck.

09-17-2009, 04:58 PM	#1
JayD Second Lieutenant 134 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: May 2008 Location: upper mid-west iTrader: (0)	Fuel info - possible DOT increase in % of ethenol content I called BP yesterday to get some info as to why they are not listed on the "top tier fuel" web site. (see my post from a few days ago). A chemist with them called me back and said their fuel exceeds the top tier requirement for detergant additives across all octane ratings. A few years ago it was just the premium fuel that had the most comprehensive additive package, now its all grades. They chose as a company decision not to participate in the top tier program. He said they would back me up with a technical letter sent to my dealer if BMW ever denies warranty work citing that I was not using top tier fuel. He was quite helpful. Now for the ALARMING part. He did say the DOT will rule on Dec 1 weather or not to allow the ethenol content maxium to go from 10% to 15-20%. I stated to him that some engines won't operate correctly with an ethenol content % that high. He agreed with me but said it is strickly political. I certanly hope for my N54's sake and my big block 454 motor in my boat, that the government does not pass the increase!!!
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09-17-2009, 05:04 PM	#2
BK Smiling politely 176 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Blame former presidential nominee General Wesley Clark. He's the head of the ethanol producers' lobbying arm. It's EPA, not DOT that they are lobbying. EPA is responsible for overseeing gas blends. Also, it's an increase to 15%, not 20%. In any case, I share you annoyance and frustration, but ultimately this topic isn't E9x and belongs in the General Automotive forum. BTW - the knock on Gen Clark is tongue in cheek. He's just one of several knuckleheads to blame. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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09-18-2009, 11:21 AM	#3
ragingclue One cam is enough 136 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	There's talk that raising the ethanol content would actually cause gas to fail CARB's own standards. There's a big seesaw debate going on between the EPA and CARB as far as what pollutants are acceptable in what amounts, and how they are caused. CARB has gone to great lengths to prove that "cradle to grave" pollution when using ethanol blends is greater than vanilla gasoline. The more ethanol we add, the worse that number gets. However, there have been credible refutations and refutes to those refutations, to the point where it's hard to tell what the truth is, but I don't believe that this will be passed.
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09-18-2009, 10:36 PM	#4
E82tt6 Colonel 109 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '08 Black Saphire Z4 MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Ethanol is garbage, and if it weren't for the fact that our government was run by greedy DBs getting paid off by companies that make it to push it, it wouldn't even in our fuel. __________________ '08 Black Saphire/Black Z4 M Coupe RIP Gretta: Blue Water/Lemon 135i. Died to save me. -ChuckV
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09-22-2009, 08:22 PM	#6
RENN Spec Major 142 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: 488 Pista, M2CS, Tundra Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (3)	e85 ftw!
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09-22-2009, 11:06 PM	#7
TexAg06 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 231 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (2)	i'm torn on this. i hate the reduced mileage. but, my company is getting into the ethanol business. so, it could help my paycheck.
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