Non-Ethanol fuel

[Scout70]

I run non-ethanol fuel in my 2022 R18B. Just completed a 710 mile trip. My average fuel mileage was 52.4 mpg. I paid. 5.25 per gallon but feel it is better for the bike especially sitting over the winter. (Hey it’s the State of Washington, third highest gas prices in the nation).

This app can help riders find local service stations that sell non-ethanol:

https://www.pure-gas.org/

 

[Rufus]

Morning Scout70. Always run what we call Super Unleaded (5% max ethanol), prices vary a bit up & down the Country but in my area I pay about £6.50-£7.50 per UK gallon. We don’t have any non ethanol petrol, 5 Star, that was phased out over 30 years ago.

 

[RhoXS]

Having a guide is helpful.

$5.25 a gallon sounds like a lot of you ride a good bit. Premium is running around $3.25 in SC. I always keep it full and throw a little Stabil in it if it's going to sit.

I know this will open up a flame war but I've never been a fan of putting anything in my bikes other than what the owners manual requires. They designed and guaranteed the bike, so I assume they know what they are talking about.

I have had people argue with me to the death that our bikes don't need premium gas and it may even be bad for them. There are people who swear by oil additives. My recent research has indicated that oil additives do nothing at best and actually accelerate wear at worst. A lot of disinformation and anecdotal information out there. Who can you trust? I choose the engineers who designed the bike.

 

[Anibal]

I always put Shell V-Pro E5 on my bike and boat. If I can’t find a Shell petrol station I go for Tesco Momentum E5. Some people may think I am being stupid about it and that’s ok, but in my little mind I am happy to spend a little extra for better quality fuel and I have never had issues with injectors or carburettors. I keep a bit of STA-BIL 360 for the boat since the engines there do not get used as often as the R18. So far so good.

 

[Keehn]

Our owner manuals state that 87 octane is fine as an "alternative" fuel. Our bikes are a 9.6:1 compression ratio.

Also, from BP's website:

"The compression ratio of your vehicle is from 9:1 to 10:1, you can use 90. octane"

https://www.bp.com/en_id/indonesia/...f-fuel-that-is-suitable-for-your-vehicle.html

I've also used 87 octane in vehicles that otherwise called for 91 octane and suffered no ill effects, but YMMV. Modern engine computers use the knock sensors to advance/retard timing based on type of fuel used.

Conclusion: BMW has clearly mapped out 87 octane in their fuel maps in the DME, otherwise, why would they suggest using it as an alternative fuel source?

Mike

 

[RhoXS]

Our owner manuals state that 87 octane is fine as an "alternative" fuel. Our bikes are a 9.6:1 compression ratio.

Also, from BP's website:

"The compression ratio of your vehicle is from 9:1 to 10:1, you can use 90. octane"

https://www.bp.com/en_id/indonesia/...f-fuel-that-is-suitable-for-your-vehicle.html

I've also used 87 octane in vehicles that otherwise called for 91 octane and suffered no ill effects, but YMMV. Modern engine computers use the knock sensors to advance/retard timing based on type of fuel used.

Conclusion: BMW has clearly mapped out 87 octane in their fuel maps in the DME, otherwise, why would they suggest using it as an alternative fuel source?

Mike

 

[harrisrc740]

I have only used Super Unleaded 93 fuel on all my BMW bikes cars and primarily any German car I have ever owned (VW, Mercedes & Audi). I have had many friends, coworkers and family that would just use regular grade fuel but always wonder why their check engine light would stay on. I could be wrong, but I have never seen non-ethanol fuel higher than 90 octane. I assume they place the warning on the fuel filler door of minimum 91 octane for a reason, so I follow that always!!! Cars and bikes!!! I do sometimes use the non-ethanol on my Silverado but never goes in my BMW's. Have had many BMW's with over 200k miles, to include a E30 that I drove over 500k miles before selling, and no major issues.