[LndLocked]

Originally Posted by village dreamer

non ethanol gas is best for small engines like lawn mowers,weed wackers,and boat motors,engines that you don't use that much and store for a long time. If you lay up your cart for the summer yes,but just the last tank.

^^^^ this!!

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by biker1

A salesman at The Villages Golf Cart Store told me the Yamaha carts have 2-cylinder engines (they don't) so I would not rely on them for technical advice. Consult your owner's manual or call the manufacturer.

I've found the same thing, those salesman don't really know what their talking about and I've gotten wrong advise from them several times. Mine told me to use high test once a month. From all I've learned, these carts were designed to run on reg. gas and high test which is higher octane, would cause deposits in the engine over time since they are slower burning.
Using non-ethonel gas would be good but that station only sells non-ethonal gas in high test which is not needed and a waste of money.
Another bad advise they gave me is to change the oil only once a year. According to the owners manual it says every 1200 miles. I use my cart 4,000 miles a year and need to change about every 4 months. I'm talking about a Yamaha gas cart.

[champion6]

I have been using regular unleaded in my 2009 Yamaha since I bought it in 2011. I added Marine Sta-Bil each time I filled up. I have had no engine problems.

When the Marathon in Pinellas opened, I decide to give ethanol-free a try. I used it for a total of three fill-ups. Here is what I found:
-- It seemed to have a little more "pep" - seemed to accelerate quicker.
-- My top end increased by 1 MPH on my speedometer. I didn't expect this since we know this is controlled by the governor on the engine. By the way, I won't discuss what my top end speed is.
-- My miles per gallon did not change at all. I had been getting 40-42 MPG with regular unleaded. I got the same with the ethanol-free. This surprised me because I expected to see a small increase.

Bottom line: I see no need to spend the extra for ethanol-free and I have switched back to regular unleaded with Marine Sta-Bil.

I know you asked about golf carts, but I have to add this about small engines. I have a mower with a 4-stroke engine and an edger with a 2-stroke engine.

Since moving here in 2011 and using regular unleaded with Marine Sta-Bil, I have been forced to replace the carburetor and fuel lines in both. I used regular unleaded in Illinois with no engine problems.

So, I switched to using ethanol-free with a little Sta-Bil in these two engines. I hope it helps. The cost difference for these two engines is tolerable since they don't use much gas.

[JohnFromMaine]

My thanks to all for the input. :cool smiley:

I've put high test in my 2006 Yamaha rebuilt since I bought it in the fall of 2009. It was per Villages Golf Cart sales and service suggestions. After reading all the above I will try regular.

I put Stabil in a full tank every April before returning north for the summer.

I do an oil change every fall when I return to TV. The other day the oil looked just fine after 6 months use but I'll continue to change it on this schedule.

As for my car, it gets an oil change every six months whether it needs it or not.

[LndLocked]

Originally Posted by champion6

I have been using regular unleaded in my 2009 Yamaha since I bought it in 2011. I added Marine Sta-Bil each time I filled up. I have had no engine problems.

When the Marathon in Pinellas opened, I decide to give leaded a try. I used it for a total of three fill-ups. Here is what I found:
-- It seemed to have a little more "pep" - seemed to accelerate quicker.
-- My top end increased by 1 MPH on my speedometer. I didn't expect this since we know this is controlled by the governor on the engine. By the way, I won't discuss what my top end speed is.
-- My miles per gallon did not change at all. I had been getting 40-42 MPG with regular unleaded. I got the same with the leaded. This surprised me because I expected to see a small increase.

Bottom line: I see no need to spend the extra for leaded and I have switched back to regular unleaded with Marine Sta-Bil.

I know you asked about golf carts, but I have to add this about small engines. I have a mower with a 4-stroke engine and an edger with a 2-stroke engine.

Since moving here in 2011 and using regular unleaded with Marine Sta-Bil, I have been forced to replace the carburetor and fuel lines in both. I used regular unleaded in Illinois with no engine problems.

So, I switched to using leaded with a little Sta-Bil in these two engines. I hope it helps. The cost difference for these two engines is tolerable since they don't use much gas.

Nice analysis ..... HOWEVER, ethanol free gas is NOT "leaded". NO gas sold for road use has contained lead since 12/31/1995.

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by golf2140

I have two gas carts. One is going on 50,000 miles have used regular unleaded since it was new. Each year I have the oil changed and a new spark plug. Never had a problem. Save your money.

50,000 miles ? Where do you go? Hope you have a Sunpass and a see America pass. Do you have an odometer?

[champion6]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

Nice analysis ..... HOWEVER, ethanol free gas is NOT "leaded". NO gas sold for road use has contained lead since 12/31/1995.

You are correct - thanks. I edited my post.

[alwann]

What's more, the small print on the pump says you're still getting some ethanol.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by champion6

I decide to give ethanol-free a try. I used it for a total of three fill-ups. Here is what I found:
-- It seemed to have a little more "pep" - seemed to accelerate quicker.
--

Champion, this doesn't suprise me because ethanol has less energy than gas, and when you replace 10% of your gas with 10% ethanol you can't get the same performance. When ethanol first came out I found I got about 10% less mileage on my truck, car and motorcycle.

[Skip]

FYI:
Corn ethanol was first introduced in gasoline about 1933.
At the Marathon station in TV you often see antique cars filling their tanks with "non-eth" gas because the ethanol eats at the seals and valves in older cars and forms sludge in carburetors.

Other countries around the world have jumped up to 25% ethanol from sugar cane.
E85 is mostly ethanol, only 15% gasoline.
The ethanol industry says it reduces harmful tailpipe emissions like carbon monoxide but doesn't mention that it produces MORE formaldehyde AND ozone in the air. Farmers are all for ethanol added to gas so they can get more for their crop when demand increases.

Ethanol is a very controversial subject and "non-eth" gas should actually be only slightly more expensive than 10% ethanol gas.

Skip

[biker1]

Ethanol apparently has 1/3 less energy per gallon than straight gasoline so E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) should decrease your mileage by about 3.3%

Originally Posted by Shimpy

Champion, this doesn't suprise me because ethanol has less energy than gas, and when you replace 10% of your gas with 10% ethanol you can't get the same performance. When ethanol first came out I found I got about 10% less mileage on my truck, car and motorcycle.

[TidalWalkers]

I too was told that recreational gas (93 octane) was better. However, the Yamaha rep said the engines are designed to use 87 octane with ethanol per the manual. The more expensive fuel plus a stabilizer is better if your cart sits for long periods without use.

[champion6]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

Champion, this doesn't surprise me because ethanol has less energy than gas, and when you replace 10% of your gas with 10% ethanol you can't get the same performance. When ethanol first came out I found I got about 10% less mileage on my truck, car and motorcycle.

Yes, you are correct. This is why I am surprised that my MPG didn't increase when using ethanol-free gas. I saw no change in MPG.

[jlongman]

Thanks to everyone for a thoughtful and lively discussion. After processing ask this advice I am sticking to ethanol enhanced gas and saving the money, be it $200 or $8,000, for something more worthwhile.

[lynxville]

I like the non ethanol when I store small engines, lawn mower, weed eater, etc. It stays fresh longer.