Ethanol or Gasoline? How to choose the best fuel for my flex-fuel car?

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Who has one flex car You know that, when it's time to fill up, that question always arises: Ethanol or Gasoline? What is the best fuel for my vehicle? And if I remap, is there a fuel that is better? 

To answer these questions and help you make this choice intelligently, it is important to understand the differences between them, the advantages of each and, of course, know when ethanol is more advantageous than gasoline and vice versa.

Next, we will address the main points that should be considered when choosing the ideal fuel for your flex-fuel car.

Main Differences Between Ethanol and Gasoline

The first major difference between ethanol e gasoline is in the composition. Ethanol is a biofuel produced from sugarcane in Brazil, but it can also be developed from corn. Meanwhile, gasoline is derived from petroleum. This makes ethanol a more sustainable option, as it is considered a renewable and less polluting source of energy.

On the other hand, the calorific value, which measures the amount of energy that the fuel releases when burned, is higher in gasoline. This means that, with gasoline, the vehicle can travel more kilometers per liter than with ethanol. However, ethanol provides greater power to the engine, resulting in sportier and more agile driving.

Advantages of Gasoline: Greater Autonomy

A gasoline has as its main advantage the greater autonomy. In other words, when filling up with gasoline, the car tends to travel more kilometers with the same tank compared to ethanol. This happens because gasoline has a higher energy density, which means that consumption is lower in terms of liters per kilometer.

Additionally, in regions where ethanol is not as accessible or on longer trips, gasoline may be a more practical choice, as it will not be necessary to refuel as often.

Advantages of Ethanol: Greater Power

If you are looking for a fuel that offers more power, ethanol is the best choice. Cars fueled with ethanol tend to have a faster engine response, which improves acceleration and overall vehicle performance. This is possible because ethanol, despite being less efficient in terms of autonomy, has a faster and cleaner combustion, providing greater torque and power to the engine.

Another important point is the fact that ethanol is less polluting than gasoline, emitting fewer gases that are harmful to the environment, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). In addition, it is usually cheaper at the pump, which can attract drivers concerned about daily costs.

How to Calculate to Save on Fuel?

One of the most frequently asked questions among those who own flex-fuel cars is: When is it worth filling up with ethanol or gasoline? The answer depends on the price ratio between the two fuels. The calculation is simple: you must check if the price of ethanol is less than 70% of the price of gasoline.

For example, if a liter of gasoline costs R$6,00 and ethanol costs R$4,20, simply divide the cost:

R$4,20 ÷ R$6,00 = 0,70

In this case, ethanol costs exactly 70% of the price of gasoline, which means that the two fuels are balanced in terms of cost-benefit. If the price of ethanol were less than 70% of the price of gasoline, filling up with ethanol would be the most economical choice. If it were higher, gasoline would be the most advantageous option in terms of consumption.

Which fuel is best for fex car with remap?

O remap accumulators is a reprogramming in the electronic control unit (ECU) vehicle's performance by adjusting parameters such as fuel injection timing, turbo pressure and ignition advance. This custom tuning improves engine performance by maximizing power, torque and efficiency according to the driver's preferences.

With remap, the engine starts to behave more efficiently with fuel, be it ethanol or gasoline. However, ethanol It is known for providing a more efficient and faster burn, which generates greater power to the engine. 

When a car is remapped to run on ethanol, the engine can take advantage of this feature even more, as the remap adjusts the injection and ignition timing to improve fuel combustion. The result is a significant increase in torque and acceleration, ideal for those seeking sporty performance.

Additionally, since ethanol has a lower combustion temperature, it helps cool the engine, which can be beneficial for cars that are subjected to high revs or long periods of continuous use.

Do you fill the tank with ethanol or gasoline?

The choice between ethanol e gasoline It depends on what you are looking for: autonomy or performance? If you take long trips or want to drive more miles with fewer stops to refuel, gasoline is the right choice. If you prefer a more powerful drive and want to save on the cost per liter, ethanol may be more advantageous, especially if the price is below 70% of the price of gasoline.

Now that you know the differences and advantages of each fuel, do your math the next time you go to the gas station and choose the best option for your pocket and your car's performance.

Increase your car's power with the Strike Brasil

A Strike Brasil is certainly the greatest authority on Remap (electronic injection reprogramming) in Latin America. We have more than 50 units spread across Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, Guatemala, and the United States. Invest in performance and discover why so many drivers are choosing Strike Brasil to improve the performance of your vehicles. Talk to our experts to find out how to guarantee these benefits in your car.

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