[Eyer]

I've had experience in the past once of going to an independent small petrol station and right after fuelling experienced engine pinging as I drove of.
So since then I only fill up from reputable petrol stations.
For me, it's just not worth it saving a few cents or a dollar. But that's just me.
You spend more to get a CT200H so it deserves the best.

 

[Eyer]

Anecdotal evidence suggests that using petrol blended with ethanol does not really provide any financial advantage because the vehicle consumes more thereby negating any advantage over petrol with no ethanol at all. The jury is still out on this but I personally do not fill up any of my cars with ethanol-blended fuel. And I only go to reputable petrol stations.

 

[Eyer]

I was just reading my user manual and came across the Research Octane Numer (RON). It recommends a minimum RON of 95. I believe this is equivalent to Octane Rating of 90 in the U.S.
If this is the case would ther be any issues down the track if it's filled up with lower Octane Rating or RON?

 

[Eyer]

In the US, it recommends 87, which is the lowest.

Why would there be any difference then with their recommendation to those outside the US?

 

[Eyer]

News of 30 Jan 2013: US report finds ethanol may damage fuel pumps

Here's an extract of the news:

Ethanol-blended petrol may damage car engines by harming fuel pumps, according to a US study funded by oil refiners and car makers.

"The industry groups have opposed the standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency that allows so-called E15 blended fuels, which contain up to 15 per cent ethanol.

"But while the EPA cleared the E15 blend for most vehicles sold since 2001, the study released by the Coordinating Research Council shows it may cause fuel-pump failures, component swelling and problems that could trigger on-board diagnostic system breakdowns.
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‘‘Given the types of vehicles tested, it’s safe to say that millions could be affected,’’ Bob Greco, the American Petroleum Institute’s downstream group director, told reporters.

‘‘The more we study, unfortunately, the more difficult issues we uncover.’’

Ethanol, fermented from molasses, wheat starch or sorghum, is seen by many as an effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.


In the US, E10 can be sold without any advisory stickers, but the EPA and the Federal Trade Commission require E15 sellers to post a ‘‘prominent orange and black label’’ to let consumers know a pump contains the higher concentration of ethanol.

Supporters of its use say refiners are funding studies such as the one released today by the Coordinating Research Council in their bid to overturn the Renewable Fuel Standard, either in court challenges or through legislation.

‘‘This is more of the same old junk science, recycled by oil companies to continue to attack biofuels, which are cutting into their market segment and bottom line,’’ Michael Frohlich, a spokesman for the ethanol-industry group Growth Energy, said in an e-mail.

‘‘I am surprised that the CRC has not attempted to provide ’scientific’ data that links E15 to flat tyres."