The $2 drive off

[edible_hat]

We ran out of ethanol today, as happens occasionally. So we put out of order signs on the pumps and took the price off the price board.

One idiot picked up one of the ethanol pumps and I authorised it (since all the pumps also have regular unleaded). It stopped at $1.87 or thereabouts, as it will do when there are less than 500 liters left.

SC: "That pump doesn't work! Fix it!"
Me: "Yeah we ran out of ethano..."
SC: (walks off)
Me: (under breath) "OK fine don't listen, be an idiot."

So the SC went back to the pump that wasn't working, that had a sign on it saying it wasn't working, and tried again. And nothing happened. So she came back and yelled at me some more, then drove off.

We couldn't figure out if it was worth reporting to the police, in the end we sent them a fax.

[Nyoibo]

Ok, that's just stupid.

I mean who uses ethanol?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Ok, that's just stupid.

I mean who uses ethanol?

I do.

The gasoline I buy has 10% ethanol in it. There's a gas station in town that sells E85.

[edible_hat]

I mean who uses ethanol?

People who have newer cars designed to work better with the 10% ethanol blend available at most independent servos.

But mostly it's tight arses in old cars who buy it because it's a bit cheaper, and don't realise it can cause long term damage in old vehicles.

[Nyoibo]

Hell, my cars not that old, I still wouldn't use ethanol in it, not to just save a couple of cents per litre.

[Salted Grump]

Interestingly, E85, due to its 105-octane rating, is now officially sanctioned 'Race Gas' for Formula 1 and CART racing.

ALl things considered, I Prefer to use E15 (highest I can get, locally) over Straight gas (which is at least E5 anyhow), simply because It's cheaper. :P

[protege]

Quite a few stations, locally, sell "blended" gasoline. That is, gasoline with a percentage of ethanol in it. However, E85 still isn't available everywhere. I supposedly can run it in my Corolla...but haven't attempted it yet. Not all engines are designed for E85, so it won't be going into the MGB ever. Hell, that engine was originally designed to use leaded fuel which was a bitch after leaded wasn't sold anymore. I could get the lead substitute, but even that's gone away now. But, when the engine was rebuilt, I had it fitted with hardened valve seats...meaning I can use unleaded

[jerkface11]

Ethanol is a false economy anyway. It may be cheeper by the gallon but you have to use more of it. You get more power though so it's great for racers.

[edible_hat]

Ethanol is a false economy anyway. It may be cheeper by the gallon but you have to use more of it.

Not true, my own experiments with my 2002 Holden Barina show that 10% ethanol is marginally more efficient. I tracked fuel use for 3 months each with regular and 10% ethanol, and on regular I use 7 liters per hundred kilometers, with 10% ethanol I use 6.5. (This is in the Australian version of a car that's also sold in Brazil where they use 20-25% ethanol)

[RetailWorkhorse]

I mean who uses ethanol?

Not me. My Jeep practically shuts down if I put ethanol in her tank. Then she bitches at me until I run her dry and put in regular gasoline. She doesn't even like the high octane stuff.

My car's weird.

[PentUpRage]

Not me. My Jeep practically shuts down if I put ethanol in her tank. Then she bitches at me until I run her dry and put in regular gasoline. She doesn't even like the high octane stuff.

My car's weird.

That's because it's a Jeep. They don't like the fancy stuff, keep it plain and simple and they'll take you to the ends of the earth.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Actually, Pent, that might explain why I've only had to replace her Alternator and battery while she's been in my care.

I has LUFF for my Jeep. <3 She takes me places.