vccomm, I'm used to petrol pumps having a sticker on them if the fuel contains ethanol. In Victoria those fuels normally sell for about 3 cents a litre less than the real stuff of the same octane. I don't buy it - not only does it cause problems eventually through fuel system damage, but it isn't economic in terms of fuel consumption. Ethanol has to be mixed with air in the ratio of one part fuel to 8 parts air. Petrol has to be mixed with air in the ratio of one part fuel to 14 parts air. Consequently the oxygen sensor makes the mixture richer when there is ethanol in the fuel. By my calculations, to break even in fuel consumption per dollar, fuel containing 10% ethanol needs to be 4.5% cheaper than the real stuff. 3 cents per litre price difference, at $1.50 per litre, is only 2% cheaper. And that is before you consider the cost of early replacement of fuel system components. Essentially, I think people who buy or tolerate the stuff haven't thought it through.
