Re: IML: Oxygenated gas/ MPG

[dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Quoting "Klebert L. Hall" <swampyankee@xxxxxxx>:

>    In the winter, most gas stations use a different formulation of gas that
> vaporises easier in cold temperatures. This tends to give lower gas mileage,
> partly through increased evaporation.

The main reason why you see lower mileage with higher volatility gasoline is its
carbon to hydrogen ratio is lower, thus less energy content (see my prior post).
 If you have holes in the fuel lines, then evaporation could take its toll I
guess too :)

> 
>   The oxygenated fuels with ethanol or MTBE shouldn't give lower mileage in
> an older Imperial. The problem here is that modern cars generally have
> oxygen sensors. When oxygenated fuels are burned, they're supposed to lean
> out the mix for cleaner burning (by carrying oxygen into the combustion
> chamber in the gas to add to the oxygen in the air). Unfortunately, the O2

This does not seem to add up.  If the oxygen in the alcohol affected the O2
sensor, then it would also add more oxidizing oxygen which would burn off the
claimed excess fuel and produce more torque for the same throttle position. 
The reason the oxygenated gas reduces mileage (and performance) is that
alcohols have reduced energy content, especially methanol with only one carbon
atom.  All engines are effected.

D^2



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