[jimjamuser]

I could add a little to this discussion. Premium gas has a higher OCTANE rating than regular gas. and therefore costs more. Some high performance engines have a high piston compression ratio and they NEED premium gas to prevent the "pinging" which would occur if regular gas were used. "Pinging" is hard on the pistons and for too long of a time could require a VERY costly ENGINE OVER-HALL. Most non-performance modern car engines use REGULAR gas. Using premium gas in an average engine with a relatively low compression ratio won't harm the engine, but it is just a WASTE of money. The REVERSE is NOT true. Do NOT USE regular gas in a high performance car designed for PREMIUM gas.
..........golf cars use regular OCTANE gas.
...........ethanol-free gas MIGHT (??) be better for someone that drives their cart and then lets it sit for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. The ethanol while sitting can, in some cases, form a glue-like substance with condensation and then that MIGHT clog up a fuel injector.

[phousel]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I'd be careful saying all power equipment. Some people include small engine stuff like lawnmowers, weed wackers, and chain saws as "power equipment". Those should not have ethanol. But I only got a C+ in organic chemistry so who knows.

You can run "pump gas" (i.e. E10) in any 4 stroke (non diesel) motor.
When E10 first came out, there were some "urban legends" that the rubber components would deteriorate quickly. If you have any concerns during storage, just add some stabilzer.

[phousel]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

Use recreational gas only which is sold at several but not all gas stations.

stabilizer.

What us "recreational gas"?

[Philipd411]

editbyme

[phousel]

Originally Posted by MX rider

I have plenty of small gas engines I've had for years. What you're saying is simply not true! Show me an owners manual that recommends it.

As I said you can't even buy NE gas in many areas. Again, ask any REPUTABLE power equipment dealer. Not TV golf cart store. They just want to sell you overpriced gas.

I own and have owned a ton of toys and equipment over the years. Too many to count. Jet skis, boat motors, four wheelers, SxS's, Harley, too many dirt bikes and about every kind of gas powered tool including a Generac portable generator. Always used reg gas without a gas related issue. All of what I have sits idle while we're here for 6 months.

My family has been in the motorcycle business since 1974. They never recommend NE gas and don't use it in their powersports vehicles.

Again it's just an urban myth. All modern engines are designed to use reg gas. That's a fact!

100% spot on! Unfortunately some won't get it.

[phousel]

Originally Posted by Bruceg0028

Ethanol free gas should have no performance issue with running the engine. Where the issue comes in is fuel with ethanol which is essentially alcohol degrades the rubber fuel lines in small engines or RV engines. Car manufacturers started using special fuel lines years ago when fuel injection came out for the higher pressures and the new types of fuel. Most non fuel injected motors do not use these types of rubber ethanol safe fuel lines. It takes time but over a period of time your fuel line can degrade and cause a fire. I had a Standby generator that sat in my garage for a few years and the fuel eventually ate through the line and all the gas ran out.
Most golf carts take 5 gallons of gas and go over 200 miles on a tank. To me it’s worth an extra 5-7 dollars for a tank to protect my investment. If you spent 12-15k for a new golf cart you should be able to afford the gas.

Well, I do agree with your "opening" sentence. There might even be some (a minute few) addition btus in the fuel. But with this logic, why not run premium? Wont hurt (except in the wallet).
Bottom line E10 is everywhere and all current gas engines are designed to use it.

[phousel]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

1. I never said required. I said recommended.
2. I never mentioned the owners manual, because I've never read it.

87 octane gas is recommended (notice once again - I'm not saying required) - because it contains less than 10% ethanol. That is WHY 89 octane gas is recommended. It is WHY higher octane gas is /not/ recommended: because the higher octane gas is more likely to contain more ethanol.

Ethanol is not good for these engines. It stands to reason that gas with NO ethanol would be optimum. But - it's not required, because any unleaded gas with less than 10% ethanol in it (such as 87 octane regular unleaded) will work fine for most gas golf carts. Carts that are left for months without using, might need that non-eth, to prevent separation and moisture accumulation.

Where did you get this information.
Octane has nothing to do with the amount of ethanol in the fuel!!!!
87 octane and 93 octane could (would) be 10% ethanol at most gas stations.

[Atamasco]

Originally Posted by perlsvilla

Hello ..I'm here visiting my parents. They recently bought a gas golf cart. That salesman told them it's best to get gas at the Villages Golf Cart store because it's pure ethanol and no additives. Is this true? Can they use regular gas from any station? Is premium gas better? Thanks, Perl

Golf Cart Guy recommended any gas of 89 octane or higher.

[Atamasco]

Golf Cart Guy recommended to me I use gas of 89 octane or higher.

[Quickdraw]

Originally Posted by perlsvilla

Hello ..I'm here visiting my parents. They recently bought a gas golf cart. That salesman told them it's best to get gas at the Villages Golf Cart store because it's pure ethanol and no additives. Is this true? Can they use regular gas from any station? Is premium gas better? Thanks, Perl

Here is what you need to remember: Ethanol Gas - Bad, Non-Ethanol Gas - Good. However, there is always more. If you buy non-ethanol gas at any regular gas station where it is not dispensed from a stand alone pump, but from one of those pumps where you select you fuel type, because there is always gasoline remaining in the pipes to the pump and the pump hose, the first half gallon or so pumped into your cart will be whatever grade of fuel the last person bought at that pump, which will almost surely be Ethanol gas. The benefit of getting your gas at the Villages Golf Cart store is that you will get 100% non-Ethanol fuel. The downside of buying at the Villages Golf Cart store is that the cost per gallon is substantially higher.

[Ellwoodrick]

Learned my lessons the hard way. Yes I have had to replace the carburetors on a small generator and Weed Wacker. The problem, regular gas. I now use non Ethanol Gas in the small engines. Since I paid much more for my Golf Cart I think I will use non ethanol Gas.

[ckcapaul]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

For those who have posted 'regular gas, long time use, no problems'. Did you use a stabilizer?
Thanks!

I use stabilizer when we leave for the summer. 2 2016 gas carts, no problems

[wsachs]

Originally Posted by photo1902

You'll get a bunch of different opinions on this topic. I've used ethanol-free in my cart since 2013. In addition, I use ethanol-free on all of my gasoline powered equipment, which sometimes sits for months on end without being used. I've never had an issue with start ups.

I've used regular gas station gas on my Yamaha 2018 Quiet Tech with no problems. When I used to go north for three months at a time I did fill up with the Non ethonol gas. What kind of gas do you think all the landscapers use in this area? I'll bet their NOT using gas that costs almost a gallon more. And their engines get a lot more use than you will ever give your golf cart.

[Berwin]

I keep a bottle of Sta-Bil and put the appropriate amount (it comes in a handy bottle for that purpose) in my power equipment tanks if the gas is not going to be used immediately.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by wsachs

I've used regular gas station gas on my Yamaha 2018 Quiet Tech with no problems. When I used to go north for three months at a time I did fill up with the Non ethonol gas. What kind of gas do you think all the landscapers use in this area? I'll bet their NOT using gas that costs almost a gallon more. And their engines get a lot more use than you will ever give your golf cart.

If, like them, I used my gas powered equipment daily, I’d use “regular” gas as well. I don’t, so I choose to use ethanol-free, especially in a generator that sits for months and months without being used.