34mpg without really trying

[PhotoDu.de]

Originally Posted by BailOut

I've never heard that before and it doesn't make much sense. EPA documents concerning the mandatory use of ethanol in some areas is for their "Clean Air Attainment Program". The U.S. uses an ocean of petrochemical fertilizers - made from the same foreign oil that ends up in your gas tank - every year to grow a sea of corn not for food but for fuel (!). When the corn is grown they use only the kernels and "milk" in the biofuels process, leaving behind all cobs, stalks and husks (which represent a much larger part of each corn stalk) as waste instead of usable biomass or compost.

How any of that is supposed to reduce our use of foreign oil in an effective, sane and logical way is beyond me.

You are a wise man.

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by BailOut

I've never heard that before and it doesn't make much sense. EPA documents concerning the mandatory use of ethanol in some areas is for their "Clean Air Attainment Program". The U.S. uses an ocean of petrochemical fertilizers - made from the same foreign oil that ends up in your gas tank - every year to grow a sea of corn not for food but for fuel (!). When the corn is grown they use only the kernels and "milk" in the biofuels process, leaving behind all cobs, stalks and husks (which represent a much larger part of each corn stalk) as waste instead of usable biomass or compost.

How any of that is supposed to reduce our use of foreign oil in an effective, sane and logical way is beyond me.

Most people on gasbuddy believe it's to reduce dependency on foreign oil and about keeping money here. There's a number of people that have purchased a flex fuel vehicle and asked for more E85 stations.

[PhotoDu.de]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

Most people on gasbuddy believe it's to reduce dependency on foreign oil and about keeping money here. There's a number of people that have purchased a flex fuel vehicle and asked for more E85 stations.

They do think that, because they are misinformed.

Producing ethanol from corn sometimes results in a net energy loss. Even under ideal variables, the net energy gain only goes up to 50% but is normally less then that.

However, sugarcane can produce 15 times the energy used to produce it. Sugarcane ethanol has been very lucrative for Brazil. Other biomass can also be more efficient than corn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol...energy_balance
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...z1c03fuel.html
http://www.transportation.anl.gov/pdfs/AF/265.pdf

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by mryaris

I live in the Denver metro area (just north of the city). Most of my driving is on the highway with the cruise on, so if you're stuck in stop & go traffic a lot then you will have a hard time getting your mileage to improve. My mileage may drop as winter approaches and I use my snow tires.....we'll have to wait and see.

Ok. I'm on the west side of the springs and have lots of hills that I have to climb if I need to get out to the store etc. I work from home so most of my trips are short and when I do get on the highway it's still not far to go where I need to.

I am glad to see that 40MPG is possible in this state as I have pretty much written that off as a possibility in the area that I live.

[Henry G.]

Tires/tire presure has helped me the most. V-rated tires(stiff) and 42-45 psi I drive the piss out the car and still average 37-38 EVERY tank. The car rides like crap but it did that before just not quite as bad, and cornering is more fun. Try 40 psi, vs recommeded 33 or whatever it is, bet you get 1-2 mpg more right off the bat.