[inamik75]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Don't be surprised to see those stickers being quietly replaced with ones that say: "Contains up to 15% ethanol" soon. On Oct. 13, 2010 the EPA caved in to lobbing pressure from a major US ethanol lobbying group "Growth Energy" to allow all pump gasoline to be diluted by up to 15% with ethanol. This was passed quickly, with little debate even though there was strong opposition from the auto industry. The auto industry has warned that a 15% blend may cause problems with fuel system components for any vehicle built before 2001, and should never be used for industrial and small engine applications.

FYI - The actual amount of energy you purchase in a gallon of fuel:
Diesel: 130,000 Btu/gal
Gasoline: 115,000 Btu/gal.
Gasoline/ethanol(10%) blend: 111,070 Btu/gal.
Gasoline/ethanol (15%) blend: 109,105 Btu/gal.

Current (Gasoline/ 10% ethanol) blends typically yield a 4 to 5% reduction in gas mileage compared to pure gasoline. The new “ 15% blend” will reduce mileage by approximately 6% minimum.

The major contributor to the “Growth Energy” lobby is Archer Daniels Midland Co. The day after the ethanol regulations were changed to 15% ADM stock rose 2%. Coincidentally, exactly the same percentage that the new (15%) blend will cost consumers in the U.S. because of the reduced gas mileage they will be seeing.

Lotus, what is the Sulfur content of US diesel? Is it 15ppm, 50ppm, or 500ppm?

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by inamik75

Lotus, what is the Sulfur content of US diesel? Is it 15ppm, 50ppm, or 500ppm?

The regulation for all US states for passenger cars has been 15ppm (termed ULSD) since 2007. The "pump" ULSD is a "clear" fuel. There has been a waver for off-road and industrial equipment which allowed the use of 500ppm fuel, but that expires in 2011. That fuel must be dyed bright red (for sulphur content and/or taxing purposes) and is almost non-existent now.

[inamik75]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The regulation for all US states for passenger cars has been 15ppm (termed ULSD) since 2007. The "pump" ULSD is a "clear" fuel. There has been a waver for off-road and industrial equipment which allowed the use of 500ppm fuel, but that expires in 2011. That fuel must be dyed bright red (for sulphur content and/or taxing purposes) and is almost non-existent now.

So there should be no reason for there to be no diesel X3 in the states Yet its made there.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by inamik75

So there should be no reason for there to be no diesel X3 in the states Yet its made there.

Probably just a BMW marketing decision, or possibly a limited supply of "d" engines at the present time.

Today the US national cost of premium grade gasoline was $3.86/gal. and Diesel was $3.96/gal. (both including all taxes).

The AAA site is a good source for daily fuel average costs:
http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redi....com/index.asp

Here in northern Illinois, the actual cost is about 8-10% higher than the national average.

[Beyu]

So in not creating a new thread I've revived an old one.

Here goes, after 2 months or so of not driving while waiting for my X3 to arrive I've filled up my 2nd tank of gas today. I've noticed that many of the stations in my area of WA no longer have 93 octane.

I'm not going to get into if luxury cars can run in at 91 octane or less since it's pretty debated and it only comes down to a $5-10 difference but I've noticed that my area only carries 91 and 92 now. So my question is if the West coast passed some new gas law to lower/limit the octane or if anyone else in the US has experienced lowering gas octane in their area.

[TrikinCurt]

91 is very common here too, I buy Shell gas and it is 91, I figure that is still better than some off brand place claiming there's is 93...

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Don't be surprised to see those stickers being quietly replaced with ones that say: "Contains up to 15% ethanol" soon. On Oct. 13, 2010 the EPA caved in to lobbing pressure from a major US ethanol lobbying group "Growth Energy" to allow all pump gasoline to be diluted by up to 15% with ethanol. This was passed quickly, with little debate even though there was strong opposition from the auto industry. The auto industry has warned that a 15% blend may cause problems with fuel system components for any vehicle built before 2001, and should never be used for industrial and small engine applications.

FYI - The actual amount of energy you purchase in a gallon of fuel:
Diesel: 130,000 Btu/gal
Gasoline: 115,000 Btu/gal.
Gasoline/ethanol(10%) blend: 111,070 Btu/gal.
Gasoline/ethanol (15%) blend: 109,105 Btu/gal.

Current (Gasoline/ 10% ethanol) blends typically yield a 4 to 5% reduction in gas mileage compared to pure gasoline. The new “ 15% blend” will reduce mileage by approximately 6% minimum.

The major contributor to the “Growth Energy” lobby is Archer Daniels Midland Co. The day after the ethanol regulations were changed to 15% ADM stock rose 2%. Coincidentally, exactly the same percentage that the new (15%) blend will cost consumers in the U.S. because of the reduced gas mileage they will be seeing.

Thanks for posting this. Congressmen (of both parties) receiving massive campaign contributions, are the biggest single reason for the creeping increase in ethanol requirements in our fuel, which is mostly derived from corn - a food used in many products thereby increasing those prices. The environmental benefit is dubious at best, but the pockets of Big Agra are certainly being lined.

[Razel]

Furnace Creek, Death Valley, CA. (15 May 2011)



But, it IS the only gas station around for miles in the middle of nowhere.

[doukeyi]

WOW, i understand it is in the middle of nowhere, but 5.88/gallon? Comon

[Brutus1]

I would report them for price gouging. A couple of years ago there was some precipitating factor to increasing prices dramatically with a shortage.That evening the price here in east Tennessee was the highest in the ENTIRE nation at $5. Believe you me a couple of large retailers here were reported for gouging and were fined a mere pittance of $1000. Makes me furious.

[xDrive35i]

Originally Posted by flash3

So basically use the highest priced gas they have?

Conspiracy theorists might suggest BMW and Big Oil are in cahoots with one another. Sort of a reciprocal altruism situation; Big Oil sells expensive high-grade gasoline, BMW builds engines that require it.

[Nahoa]

Or, it's harder to design high output and efficient engines for lower grade gasoline, so you design for the highest commonly available octane both to achieve performance and to produce reasonably attractive efficiency numbers. Designing for low octane put you behind the competition.