**Quite A Surprise

Uncle Phil

Uncle Phil

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In The Holler West Of Nashville, Tennessee
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Been out and about today doing some riding and as is often the case, I stop at Loves or Pilot or Flying J for fuel and a break if one is handy.
I checked both Pilot and Flying J (owned by the same outfit) in a particular area and they have removed all E10 regular/mid grade and now they are E15.
The only E10 they carry is 'premium' and it is at least $1 more per gallon - How convenient for them!
I asked one of the clerks and he gave me the impression they are rolling this out nationwide.
So just beware if you pull into a Pilot or Flying J you probably will see no E10 except premium.
 
If they blend the regular and high test 50:50 to get midgrade (which is what places that sell 3 grades but only have 2 tanks do,) then with midgrade you're getting E12.5
 
There are some stations that blend in the ethanol (or more ethanol) at the pump vs at the fuel supply terminal, so that may be valid.
 
Sadlsor said:
Don't send that crud down here, Phil!
If I'm not home with 2 choices for non-ethanol, or Costco, I'll go to Love's when on the road.
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If that is Pilot/Flying J's choice to go to E15, then I will only use them if I am in dire straits.
It just seems to me to be their way of 'improving profits' at the expense of those of us who drive older vehicles.
I don't know if they will switch their 'One9' centers the same way or not.
 
Uncle Phil said:
It just seems to me to be their way of 'improving profits' at the expense of those of us who drive older vehicles.
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I did not know that all newer cars (say last 3 or 4 years) take E15. What you are saying suggests that is the case. How about new motorcycles?
 
SMSW said:
I did not know that all newer cars (say last 3 or 4 years) take E15. What you are saying suggests that is the case. How about new motorcycles?
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I do not have a clue - again I think they saw an 'enhanced' revenue opportunity and jumped on it.
If you pull in, low on fuel, and you are not sure you can burn E15, most folks will go with the premium and pay the extra $1 a gallon.
Their 'official' position is that this allows them to offer fuel at a cheaper price and be more 'green' (but I think the only 'green' will be what goes in their pockets! ;))
If I understand Love's approach, they are just adding E15 pumps alongside the E10 pumps - but I could be wrong.
It will be interesting what Buc-ees does with it.
 
FWIW - Mr. Google says -

Virtually all new vehicles (2012 and newer) are designed to run on E15, and over 96% of cars on the road today (model year 2001+) are approved for it. While E15 is legally approved for most modern cars and often branded as Unleaded 88, it should not be used in motorcycles, boats, or older vehicles.

So I guess they are thumbing their noses just at motorcycles, boats and 'older' vehicles then. ;)
It is their business model and they can do as they please.
My main reason for posting this is so that you don't get 'surprised' like I did when you really need gas.
 
Yup, Def sounds like riders are not their target customer.

Only other thing I'll say is that I've seen many pumps with labels that say: "may contain up to XX% ethanol". If they do use a blend of regular E15 and premium E10 for mid-grade, E12.5 will still be below the max labelled content in that case. As you say, the occasional tank (if not completely empty) might be okay.
 
I think it's a north eastern states thing, but all Sheetz stations sell ethanol free, and the few Buccee's stations I've stopped at have had ethanol free.
 
Josh_ST said:
I think it's a north eastern states thing, but all Sheetz stations sell ethanol free, and the few Buccee's stations I've stopped at have had ethanol free.
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I don't mind E10 as it does work but E15 can cause damage.
That is what surprises me about Pilot/Flying J giving you no option but expensive premium for E10.
Too cheap to add/replace a pump but not too cheap to rip you off! ;)
 
Pilot- flying J is also the highest priced place to buy diesel fuel. I gave seen as much 75 cents difference IMHO there a bunch if theives. TA is just as bad with there diesel prices
 
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