As of Jan 1, all 95 octane gas will be an ethanol (20%) gasoline (80%) blend in Thailand. Does anyone know if 350Z can run on this? Thanks in advance.

 

i think it can. It takes 1- 2 tanks to adjust though, so you might initially feel power loss. I've read somewhere it works fine though.

 

My manual is way out in the garage and I'm too lazy... but I thought they recommended no more that 10% ethanol...

My personal opinion is you should be fine.

 

Do ethanol and gasoline actually mix well? Do they have the same specific weight? I saw a show where this guy runs his deisal engine on recycled cooking grease but this alternative combustable fuel thing has me a bit puzzled as far as what gasoline engine's will accept and not cause harm.

 

It will run. Who knows about how good your performance will be though...

This kind of thing has been done in the past when people felt gas prices were too high and/or for environmental reasons.

Check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasohol

 

Wow, there's a wealth of information in that link and related links within the article. Sounds like there should be a national push to maximize gasohol use rather than pure gasoline. Burns cleaner, higher octane level, and reduced dependence on foreign crude.

 

I just spent like two hours in class discussing this. There's pros and cons to using it as a replacement fuel. it is not, by the way, the same as the "biodiesel" made from cooking grease someone mentioned earlier. The blend should be fine for your car. Ethanol can have an adverse affect on some sensors, and has traditionally been used as a blend in cold climates during winter months to help reduce cold start pollution and enhance gasoline cumbustion when cold. I am suprised to hear this is going on in Thailand.
Will

 

In my situation my choice is:

1) 94 Octane unleaded with 10% Ethanol
2) 92 Octane unleaded

It's probably splitting hairs, but which would be better for my car for performance and longevity?

 

Lots of threads on this one. Difference between 94 and 92 is zero because both are above the minimum requirement.

 

So you are saying that people who drag their regular cars using 106 octane cars are doing so senslessly? I'm not sure but I think you're probably wrong on this one. When they say you are using octane that is less than premium then it "retards" the timing to prevent knocking. But I really don't know how the engine coaxes out the increased power with the hotter burning higher octane fuel. Perhaps just changes the air/fuel mixture to accomodate? I don't know.. perhaps somebody in the know will chime in.
Then again, i could be the one who's wrong.