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AAA takes aim at ethanol

Submitted by Kevin Richert on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 11:02am.

Have you been able to find 100 percent gasoline, not the 10 percent ethanol blend?

AAA Idaho wants to hear from you.

In a rather unusual news release that illustrates the public angst over high gasoline prices, the AAA's Dave Carlson says he's looking to hear from motorists who have found gas stations that still sell ethanol-free gasoline.

Finding the pure stuff is particularly important to owners of older vehicles, boats, lawnmowers, snowmobiles and older aircraft — who are calling AAA looking for help.

"We′re asking Idahoans calling for a list to become reporters and let us know which stations in Idaho serve regular grade gasoline without ethanol," Carlson said. "Motorists are right when they say there should be enough transparency in the marketplace that they know what they′re getting when they pull up to a fuel pump."

Amen to that. And also to Carlson's continued efforts to shine a bright light on Idaho's stubbornly high gas prices. From the same press release, issued Tuesday: "Prices in states like California and Oregon have taken a freefall, and we don't know why Idaho's market should be any different. Higher oil prices were blamed for record gas prices. It seems reasonable to assume gas prices should go down when oil prices drop, as they have."

In a summer where everybody is complaining about the high price of gas, the folks at AAA are showing enough of an activist streak to try to do something about it. Good for them.

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Why aren't Boise's gas prices dropping?

Submitted by pevboi on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 1:03pm.

Two words: Ethanol and gouging

100% Gasoline

Submitted by MikeB on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 5:26pm.

The clerk at my regular gas stop -- which, much to my dismay, also just went to 10% ethanol -- told me that Sam's Club in Nampa is still pumping 100% gasoline, but I'm not a member and haven't driven down there to confirm it. All my usual places are now ethanol blended. Less energy per gallon for the same high price. That's not only NOT a price drop, that's another price increase.

And I have to chuckle at the pump labels: "Our gasoline contains 10% ethanol". Now, strictly speaking, doesn't that means it's not really "gasoline"? Ah, marketing... But, all you can buy is what's for sale.

What this country needs is a good, three day national strike, a la the French. Everybody stay home from work, park your car, and don't buy anything. Wouldn't the economists and Wall Street blow a gasket over that one!

You get what comes down the pipeline...

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 6:47pm.

Everybody gets most of the same thing. If regular gas came to the distributor you'd get it.

Remember that trucks DON'T deliver most of the fuel, PIPELINES do. Trucks deliver to the point of sale. the logistics of total tanker delivery would blow your mind.

$15.00 gas would've been normal a long time ago.

Thanks AAA

Submitted by ericn1300 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 7:24pm.

Etanol sucks. My wifes 1992 Oldsmobile has vapor locked 3 times this month and we never had that problem before using the ethanol blends.

Your injectors need cleaning or repair.

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 10:14pm.

Ethanol blended fuel has been around in many places for at least 2 years and you've no doubt used it before. E-85 is too much for your car...ask Larry Miller or any other GM dealership. 10% or less and run fuel injector cleaner through a full tank now and then as directed. I cannot tell you if using an occasional tank of premium with additives for the intake system will help or hinder but some recommend it after bad gas.

Bad gas at the station could be more likely...try a different station a couple times.

Chain Saws and Generators

Submitted by YPmule on Tue, 08/19/2008 - 12:35pm.

Ethanol is bad for small engines. We need a source for real gasoline (especially for the 1954 Jeep.)

Yeah, but the other guy's prob was...

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Wed, 08/20/2008 - 7:00am.

owning a '92 Olds.

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