With premium gas potentially hitting $8+/gallon by Summer, is anyone regretting buying a 14 mpg pseudo Baja truck? No politics, please!

[Weather Man]

Good excuse to add a motorcycle to the stable.

 

[Santino]

Good excuse to add a motorcycle to the stable.

This is the correct answer to every problem!!

 

[BigBo5342]

Is the ethanol free 90 octane the way to go?

 

[RHOfan]

You must live in California.

No, but close.

Premium hit $6+/gal here yesterday.

 

[RHOfan]

The gas mileage has nothing to do with why I would regret buying this truck. The only regrets I have or have had relates to electrical gremlins that caused me concern.

I hear ya.

I’ve wanted a TRX since they were released. Fuel economy held me back.

After owning RHO, I’m less concerned about TRX fuel economy, more concerned with spending $100+K on the aggravation of Fiat based electronics!

 

[NYRhino]

My RHO is myIt's only a 6 cylinder

Is the ethanol free 90 octane the way to go?

I use the ethanol free for my tractors and equipment.
But personally, with direct port injectors, I wouldn't feel comfortable sacrificing the detergent additives in premium fuels for my RHO.
Please tell me if I am wrong in my reasoning.

 

[BigBo5342]

I use the ethanol free for my tractors and equipment.
But personally, with direct port injectors, I wouldn't feel comfortable sacrificing the detergent additives in premium fuels for my RHO.
Please tell me if I am wrong in my reasoning.

I only use top tier fuel and ethanol free.
Fuel classified as "top tier" makes a difference.

 

[RamFan]

I only use top tier fuel and ethanol free.
Fuel classified as "top tier" makes a difference.

Yes sir!

Chris

 

[Guest1897]

Is the ethanol free 90 octane the way to go?

Ethanol free will produce better mpg results, but 90 octane is still not 91+

 

[BigBo5342]

Ethanol free will produce better mpg results, but 90 octane is still not 91+

Yeah that's my issue...ethanol free is better for an engine but how significant is the difference between 90 and 91? Is it something that can harm an engine that requires 91?

 

[RamFan]

Yeah that's my issue...ethanol free is better for an engine but how significant is the difference between 90 and 91? Is it something that can harm an engine that requires 91?

It will just experience potentially more spark knock, and hence the timing will be retarded reducing power.

Chris

 

[BigBo5342]

It will just experience potentially more spark knock, and hence the timing will be retarded reducing power.

Chris

Yeah I think I will stick with top tier fuel and 91+.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Mikey Swift]

Yeah that's my issue...ethanol free is better for an engine but how significant is the difference between 90 and 91? Is it something that can harm an engine that requires 91?

What does the little door say?

 

[BigBo5342]

What does the little door say?
View attachment 27710

%

 

[Gr3yGh0st]

I mean my wife's Mini van barely gets 20MPG if we are lucky. So this thing getting around 16 doesn't seem too bad.

Now my daily driver car that I just got rid of.... got about 36 average so, yeah that hurts a bit. That being said, on an average month, I drive very little, not including trips, so if I'm being good 1 tank per month will probably be about all I need. But my planned, several thousand mile trips this summer might hurt the bank a little. But not that much worse than my wife's van, and we are going to have WAY more fun in this truck than her van! Although, premium will be a bit higher hit than regular.

 

[Dark Knight G45]

On the bright side, perhaps 26/27 TRX’s will be discounted! I love my RHO but not gonna lie, I want a TRX now

 

[BigBo5342]

On the bright side, perhaps 26/27 TRX’s will be discounted! I love my RHO but not gonna lie, I want a TRX now

I have owned two Hellcats, I am not sure I need that level of power in a truck.
The RHO equates to scatpack power...good enough for me.

 

[Guest1897]

What does the little door say?
View attachment 27710

Hoping mine says E85

 

[Gr3yGh0st]

Hoping mine says E85

I know you are joking.... kind of, anyway, but not sure the hit to the MPG would be worth the savings per gallon.

Havent done the calculations recently, and it definitely depends on the vehicle, but a few years ago, at what the prices were then, I did the comparison on the GMC I had at that time, and also a Honda Civic as well. After testing several tanks, of E10, and No ethanol, The drop in MPG just in 10% Ethanol was enough to mean most of the time the price savings at the pump was not enough to cover the increased fuel consumption.

My owners manual literally stated a tank of non ethanol would run 100-150 miles farther than a tank of E85. Which most people I talked to didnt realize what it was telling them. Which was same amount of fuel very different range, so very different MPG economy. I never did any calculations with E85, as I have never had anything that could/should run that, but if 10-15% ethanol drops the efficiency that much, E85 must be really bad in one way or another.

I say all this being from the state that pushes Ethanol more than any other, Iowa literally runs on Corn... and Hogs.

 

[Dcchris311]

I run corn juice in my truck, it's blended though and I usually aim for E20. I have a nifty ethanol content test tube that I carry with me. I'll get about 400 miles to the tank but I drive it hard when it's being corn fed.