GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was reading an article about how even though there is a big push for E-85 blended gasoline in the U.S. there are only a few stations that actually offer E-85.Well it got me thinking and I was curious to see what people fill up with. Thought this would be a great topic since we have members from all over the world with a wide variety of vehicles here.Also, let us know if you see stations that offer E-85 blended gasoline around where you live/work.

I fill up with premium in the Vibe.I work on the road here in Toronto,Canada and have yet to see a pump with E-85.Wierd.

I am too poor (grad student) to buy expensive gas...plus according to studies, it doesn't matter what grade you place in your tank persay

It does with certain modifications.

true, but you have to think of the average person....not having those accommodations

Quote, originally posted by kevera »It does with certain modifications.haha AKA Forced Induction I use the cheap stuff

Quote, originally posted by TraySeeLea »true, but you have to think of the average person....not having those accommodationsI'm not average,so Quote, originally posted by ANO_Vibe »haha AKA Forced Induction Ahahaha,that's right brother.

I use the regular gas with 10% ethanol because that is what all the gas stations around me have now.I have yet to see any stations offer E-85 around.

Quote, originally posted by kevera »I'm not average,so hahaha

Back on topic.Doesn't GM make vehicles that use this blend.I see some of those bigger SUV's with that Flex-Fuel sticker on the back of them,where do they fill up.Must be a pain in the (removed) to find gas.

Don't you need a Flex-Fuel engine to use it?I think the E-85 thing is just an additional option. They can use regular fuel, too.

yeah, i saw an impala with the capability the other day. i have never seen a station that has E-85

E85's can run on both, the components that have been mentioned before such as hoses and couplings are higher quality and beefed up to deal with corrossion issues that a standard engine would face. So it can handle both. E85 really I think only exists in the MidWest cause you will not find any stations on the NE shorline.

Just use regular here....the only gas stations I have seen E-85 at are at the Meijer (grocery chain) gas stations.

Regular 87 Octane!There are several places around town that offer E-85. But unless it gets more than 30% less than the cost of regular 87, I wont even consider it getting a flex fuel or e-85 capability.

Quote, originally posted by TraySeeLea »true, but you have to think of the average person....not having those accommodationsSome cars require premium fuels even without any modifications... like my subaru, my wife's subaru, and most luxury vehicles.I'm stock and I use 90 octane as its the highest I can get here in alaska. The car actually requires 91 or higher.

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Some cars require premium fuels even without any modifications... like my subaru, my wife's subaru, and most luxury vehicles.Very true, my brothers 1.8T GLS Jetta needed to have premium because of the turbo system. Most high end luxury cars as well because the cheaper fuel will actually cause a knocking of the engine. It has nothing to do with the fuel being cleaner, it has to do with octane levels themselves in that more highly tuned engines require a higher octane to run at prime. Otherwise combustion is weak and causes a loss of power and carbon build up. In small engines like my XR and bases it is ok because the engines are not highly tuned. The GT and XRS need higher octance due to the fac that the 2ZZ is a high revver so higher octane burns better in those engines.

Higher tuning or higher cylinder pressure...................requires higher octane? 130 hp from 109 cid is a pretty high level of tune but it does fine on low octane.

I have to run premium, Stink when you buy 200+ dollars in gas a week

Quote, originally posted by CountryVibe »I have to run premium, Stink when you buy 200+ dollars in gas a weekThe price you pay for LIFT!

Quote, originally posted by CountryVibe »I have to run premium, Stink when you buy 200+ dollars in gas a weekper WEEK???i still got about 26-28 mpg in my 03 VGT and i drove a lot too. and even now, when i only get 18-20 mpg, i drive more and don't spend $200 in a week on gas!

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Some cars require premium fuels even without any modifications... like my subaru, my wife's subaru, and most luxury vehicles.you're right mav, my luxurious GT requires premium

I use 87 octane from Shell. I have read that premium gas actually decreases mpg. This area mandates 10% ethanol (E10) and I average ~30mg in my automatic base model Vibe.

I budget $70 for fuel for about two weeks.

I drive for my job usually between 3k to 4.5k miles a month

After I finished my last batch of mods I filled with regular and found the car ticked more and didn't sound right. My one experiment ended that fill, I use 94 octane all the time.