Rec Fuel: Is It Safe For Your Car?

REC 90 is a type of non-ethanol fuel that some people use in their V8 Jeeps and other vehicles. Some claim that it can improve performance and mileage and that it lasts longer than regular fuel because it does not absorb moisture in the air. However, others say that it is not necessary to use and that modern carmakers have made cars able to deal with regular fuel.

Ethanol in gasoline leads to shorter shelf life

Pure gasoline has a shelf life of 3-6 months before it starts to degrade. Ethanol-blended fuels have a shorter shelf life of 2-3 months. Proper storage in airtight containers and cool environments can help extend the shelf life of gasoline. Fuel stabilizers are an effective way to maintain the potency of stored gasoline. Storing more than five gallons of fuel in a container is not recommended due to increased volatility and fire/explosion risk.

Gasoline, whether it’s pure or mixed with ethanol, starts to break down over time. This happens mainly because of oxidation and evaporation. Oxidation makes the fuel lose its volatile parts and ability to burn. Ethanol’s solvent properties lead to breakdown of rubber, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, and steel in the engine. Knowing how ethanol-blended fuels differ from pure gasoline is key for keeping marine engines running well. By managing fuel well and using available solutions, users can reduce risks from ethanol-blended fuels’ shorter shelf life. Using old, degraded gasoline is risky for your car’s engine and fuel system. As gasoline gets older, it loses its ability to burn well. This can make your engine work less efficiently and harm its parts. Also, oxidation can create gum that blocks fuel lines and filters, making engine problems worse.

Water and ethanol make a gummy residue

Ethanol in gasoline leads to shorter shelf life as the ethanol in the gas absorbs moisture in the air and it causes fouling of the fuel.

Age of fuel, how often you fill your tank (the Jeeps have 25 gallon tanks so the fuel may not stay as fresh at the last drop).

Better performance and mileage with the REC 90? Any thoughts on this??? See label photos. Click to expand... I don't have a complete answer for you but I can tell you the following:

Ethanol in gasoline leads to shorter shelf life as the ethanol in the gas absorbs moisture in the air and it causes fouling of the fuel.

You don't need 90 octane, but if that's what's offered, I'd go for it. I'd use it in my F-Type, if I could find 91 to 93 octane. ... I’d use it for sure, if my car’s fuel sat for fairly long lengths of time. I always need to get gas every 2-4 weeks, soooo...

Better performance and mileage with REC 90

Ethanol in gasoline leads to shorter shelf life as the ethanol in the gas absorbs moisture in the air and it causes fouling of the fuel. Age of fuel, how often you fill your tank (the Jeeps have 25-gallon tanks so the fuel may not stay as fresh at the last drop). Modern carmakers have made cars "able" to deal with this junk but I feel, if you can get the better stuff that won't gum, it is going to help everything stay cleaner and run longer.

REC 90 is 90 octane with zero ethanol versus the midegrade I use (and recommended by Jeep) which is 89 octane with up to 10% ethanol. Better performance and mileage with the REC 90??? Any thoughts on this??? See label photos. Click to expand... I don't have a complete answer for you but I can tell you the following:

You don't need 90 octane, but if that's what's offered, I'd go for it. I'd use it in my F-Type, if I could find 91 to 93 octane. I’d use it for sure, if my car’s fuel sat for fairly long lengths of time. I always need to get gas every 2-4 weeks, soooo... This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread.

I haven't seen ethanol-free fuel here around Chicago in at least a decade. Every vehicle I have owned has done at or better than advertised fuel economy ratings by the manufacturer. No vehicle I have owned has ever suffered from any of these so-called ethanol issues. It's just a Jeep, not a space shuttle, burn what's recommended and whatever is most convenient for you. With all that said though, I will recommend a quality name brand fuel though, however, for reasons that I have nothing to back up because the car will run just fine with any brand fuel lol.

My boat will run a good 3 mph faster on REC gas. And it gets better fuel economy. Neither of which are significant enough to justify the price difference, but I still buy it for everything but the cars. Where do you guys find REC gas at? I have seen the pure gas website but it appears mostly marinas sell it? I love up near Royal Oak and there are none around here. Are there any near LEMP or SSP that I am just missing on the website? I remember several years ago buying some pure gas from a Marathon in Allen Park for a new snow blower.

Age of fuel affects how well it works

The age of fuel is an important factor to consider when it comes to how well it works in your car. Modern carmakers have made cars able to deal with the effects of ethanol in fuel, but it is still important to consider the shelf life of the fuel. Ethanol in gasoline leads to shorter shelf life as the ethanol in the gas absorbs moisture in the air and it causes fouling of the fuel. This can lead to issues with the car such as the water and ethanol making a "gummy" residue that can foul up the internals.

The frequency of filling your tank is also an important factor to consider when it comes to the age of fuel. Modern cars have larger tanks so the fuel may not stay as fresh at the last drop. This can lead to issues with the car such as the fuel not working as well as it should.

The octane level of the fuel is also an important factor to consider when it comes to the age of fuel. Higher octane levels can help to protect the car from the effects of ethanol in the fuel. This can lead to better performance and mileage with the fuel.

The type of fuel you use is also an important factor to consider when it comes to the age of fuel. Non-ethanol fuel can help to protect the car from the effects of ethanol in the fuel. This can lead to better performance and mileage with the fuel.

The price of fuel is also an important factor to consider when it comes to the age of fuel. Higher octane levels can be more expensive than lower octane levels, so it is important to consider the cost of the fuel when it comes to the age of fuel.

Modern cars can handle REC fuel

Modern cars are made to handle this junk but it is still recommended to use better-quality fuel that won't gum, it is going to help everything stay cleaner and run longer. Better performance and mileage with REC 90? Any thoughts on this?

You don't need 90 octane, but if that's what's offered, I'd go for it. I'd use it in my F-Type, if I could find 91 to 93 octane. I always need to get gas every 2-4 weeks, soooo...

I haven't seen ethanol-free fuel around Chicago in at least a decade. Every vehicle I have owned has done at or better than advertised fuel economy ratings by the manufacturer. No vehicle I have owned has ever suffered from any of these so-called ethanol issues. It's just a Jeep, not a space shuttle, burn what's recommended and whatever is most convenient for you.

My boat will run a good 3 mph faster on REC gas. And it gets better fuel economy. Neither of which is significant enough to justify the price difference, but I still buy it for everything but the cars.

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