how about ethanol as an option ?
In Illinois, I can not find a station that sells ethanol-less gas.
Pure gasoline would probably solve most of the MPG “issues”.
I have an old ('98) sports car. Just turned 200,000 miles. Will still do 140 if I push it. ALWAYS use real gas, except when away on business. Lot's of places in Oklahoma use "Real Gas" as a selling point.
In Illinois, I can not find a station that sells ethanol-less gas.
In Washington state you can get automotive fuel without ethanol at CFN (Commercial Fueling Network) stations. I do not believe that they are allowed to advertise the fact, but you can check by putting a small amount of fuel in a test tube and drawing a line at the top of the fuel, then you add some water and shake it up. If after you let the fluids settle... the fuel level under the water goes up... you have alcohol in the gas.
So you might check at CFN stations in Illinois, it could be a similar situation. Unfortunately, most of them are unmanned forcing you to open an account to use them. And the prices are usually a little higher than at normal retail gas stations.
“In Illinois, I can not find a station that sells ethanol-less gas.”
It depends on what part of the state you are in. You are more likely to find it available in farming communities (tractors, etc.) and near lakes (boating). Here is a link for a list of Illinois stations. Notice none in big cities like Chicago, Rockford and Aurora. I used to get mine at an unmanned station in Davis Junction, just south of Rockford. No account needed, though.
http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=IL
Many websites show them, like pure-gas.org, which shows nearly a hundred in IL.
I told you wrong about how to test for alcohol in gasoline. It has been awhile. Here is the correct procedure:
•On a test tube or olive bottle six or seven inches long, make a permanent line about two inches from the bottom.
•Fill with water to this line, then fill the tube to the top with gasoline.
•Cover the tube, agitate it, and let it stand.
The ethanol and water will mix and separate out together. If the water level appears to have increased, the fuel contains ethanol and should not be used. Ethanol percentages of less than 5% can sometimes give a reading below the line. Therefore, any deviation in the water line indicates the presence of ethanol and should serve as a basis for rejecting the fuel.
This is from Peterson Aviation who sold me the STC that allows me to use auto fuel in our airplane.
http://www.autofuelstc.com/fuel_testing.phtml