"Energy Density.The Final
Frontier". That
solution still seems after my lifetime far off.And on a related note, those of
you that drive
OBD II compliant vehicles
need to know about another energy density debacle that can empty your wallet,
pronto.
There is a move
afoot to add even MORE ethanol to gasoline.THAT, while allegedly lowering
emissions, also lowers the energy density of the gasoline you purchase.Less
BTU per gallon, less mileage, less performance. And you pay MORE for
it.
But here's the MAJOR "Gotcha". The new E-15 blend will damage the fuel systems
and emission control components of
pre
2012 model year vehicles.One inadvertent tankful could be a largely expensive
mistake. PLUS, it is unsuitable for use in any outdoor power equipment.More so
than E-10. Thought you had trouble getting things started and running
correctly before ?
:(
Watch those labels on the gasoline island pumps folks.Or it could be a
financially distressing oversight.
RJ
On 1/7/2013 9:14 AM, jim wrote:
I though that I should
comment on battery costs. I bought a new set this fall, just after the
price went up, and they were about $100 each, $638 for the set including
sales tax. A week earlier, they would have been at least $5 each
cheaper. The batteries are East Penn/Deka, sold by Fleet Farm. Having just sold our John
Deere riding mower this summer, I have good feel for the costs. I
spent an average of less than $50 a year on parts, maintenance,oil filters,
etc., including the occasional repair
part, belt or blade replacement over 15 years. Never paid to have a
tune up or oil change or other work done, everything was easily done
by me with reference to a shop manual that was an early purchase. I
mow from less than an acre up to 4 or 5 acres, depending on whether it is
just the yard or if I mow around the orchard and pole shed, which is less
often, and could use 30 to 40 gallons of gas in a summer if it was wet and
the grass grew fast--not the case in the last couple of years. I
switched to using an Elec-Trak because our electricity is "free" (wind and
solar systems since 1977) and I don't like storing or using gasoline,
disposing of used oil, etc., any more than necessary. We also use a
car converted to all electric for local driving.
Jim, in Western
Wisconsin