Re: Any problems with new oxygenated gas?

[zep@galactose.mc.duke.edu (Zvi Pasman)]

>> 
>> It's almost wintertime in New England and I can hear the fuel pump again (it's
>> not too loud yet). We're getting a new type of fuel here that costs more and is
>> said to make some cars harder to start. Is anyone using this and is it good or
>> bad for Audis? I've heard that we in New Hampshire will start at the beginning
>> of the year while Massachusetts has already started.
>> 
>
>Here in the Philadelphia area, we've had oxygenated gasoline for
>several years now, starting on Dec 1st.  The only thing I've
>experienced or even heard of around here is a 10-20% drop in mileage
>compared to what one would get with normal gas.

<text regarding idling deleted>

Right.  I get about 24, down from 30 mpg (mostly highway).  

Now this confuses me.  I assume the intent is to lower emission levels.  But
are TOTAL emission levels reduced if the overall fuel consumption is in
fact increased?  I would assume that this fuel reduces the PARTIAL pollutants
emitted.  If the total consumption is increased, however, (as evident by the
ubiquitous mpg reduction) then isn't it that total pollutant levels will
not decrease correspondingly?  It may be that any possible benefits of
partial pollutant reduction are offset by total pollution emitted.

any comments.