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ETHANOL
AND YOUR VEHICLE
Benefits
of Ethanol Blends
Millions of Americans
have driven billions of trouble-free miles using ethanol-blended gasoline
over the past quarter century. The majority of this gasoline has been
E-10 Unleaded, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent ordinary
unleaded gasoline. However, E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent ordinary
gasoline) is rapidly becoming an important part of the nation’s
fuel supply.
Approved for use
by every major automaker in the world, E-10 Unleaded provides a number
of benefits for drivers:
- Additional octane:
The ethanol in E-10 Unleaded adds two to three points of octane to
ordinary gasoline, helping improve engine performance.
- Cleaner fuel
injectors: Ethanol helps prevent the build-up of power-robbing deposits
in fuel injection systems.
- A gas line antifreeze:
Ethanol suspends moisture in the fuel systems, eliminating the need
for gas tank additives in cold weather.
- Cleaner air:
Ethanol reduces toxic emissions in engine exhaust, helping keep America’s
air cleaner.
Consumer Myth-Busters
In spite of the
fact that billions of trouble-free miles have been driven using ethanol-blended
gasoline (most on E-10 Unleaded), some myths still persist regarding
its use. Here are the facts:
MYTH:
Ethanol causes
“vapor lock.” |
FACT: State and
federal statutes continue to lower vapor pressure levels, virtually
eliminating the vapor lock problems that were reported in the past.
Additionally, all major auto manufacturers now use in-tank fuel pumps,
which are not subject to vapor lock problems as were the older in-line
fuel pumps.
MYTH:
Ethanol plugs
up fuel lines and fuel injectors. |
FACT:
Situations
involving plugged fuel filters are virtually non-existent today. In
the past (especially in cars made prior to 1975), switching to ethanol-blended
gasoline occasionally resulted in the fuel system being scrubbed clean
due to the cleansing nature of ethanol. The loosened residue would be
caught in the fuel filter—requiring a filter change. Once the
filter was changed, the fuel system remained clean, enhancing engine
performance.
Some components
in gasoline, such as olefins (which are a waxy substance), can cause
deposits that foul injectors. But since ethanol burns 100 percent and
leaves no residue, it cannot contribute to the formation of deposits.
In fact, ethanol blends help keep fuel injectors cleaner.
MYTH:
Ethanol blends
can’t be used in small engines. |
FACT:
E-10
Unleaded is perfectly acceptable in lawn mowers, snowmobiles, ATVs and
other small engines that run on ordinary unleaded gasoline. Virtually
every small engine manufacturer, including Briggs & Stratton, Honda,
Toro/Lawnboy, Kohler and Snapper, approves the use of E-10 Unleaded
in its equipment.
MYTH:
Most auto mechanics
tell people not to use ethanol-blended gasoline. |
FACT:
A
mechanic who says not to use E-10 Unleaded simply does not have correct
information—particularly since every major automaker in the world
approves the use of 10 blends ethanol blends under warranty. Fuel formulation
and fuel quality have changed dramatically over the years, and many
auto mechanics simply don’t have current information or knowledge
of these changes and how they affect engine performance. The result:
When a problem appears to be fuel related, some mechanics will immediately
ask if E-10 Unleaded has been used—and if so, blame ethanol for
the problem. In some states, E-10 Unleaded advocates have offered a
substantial reward to any customer who can document damage from E-10
Unleaded to his or her car—and so far, no one has ever collected.
MYTH:
E-10 Unleaded
cannot be used in older cars. |
FACT:
The
formulation of gasoline has changed considerably over the past few years
without affecting the performance of older cars. Many older cars were
designed to run on leaded gasoline, with the lead providing the octane
necessary for engine performance. When lead was phased out of gasoline,
oil companies added toxic chemicals to raise the octane rating and other
additives to replace the “lubrication” value of lead.
The ethanol in E-10
Unleaded raises octane in gasoline by three points and it does so using
a natural, renewable additive that works well in older engines.
Automakers
That Approve Ethanol Blended Gasoline
The use of ethanol-blended
fuel (E-10 Unleaded) is approved under warranty by every major automaker
in the world including:
- General Motors
(Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chevy pickups, GMC pickups, Geo, Oldsmobile
and Pontiac)
- Ford Motor Company
(Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Ford pickups)
- DaimlerChrysler
(Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth and Dodge pickups)
- Acura
- Audi
- BMW
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Isuzu
- Jaguar
- Kia
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mazda
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Porsche
- Rolls Royce/Bentley
- Saab
- Saturn
- Subaru
- Suzuki
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Ethanol-Blended
Fuel and Your Motorcycle
The use of E-10
Unleaded is approved for use by major motorcycle manufacturers including
Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Harley-Davidson
goes so far as to recommend the use of renewable, clean air fuels such
as E-10 Unleaded because of their environmental and performance benefits.
Use
of Ethanol Blends in Small Engines
More than 40 percent
of the gasoline sold across the United States contains oxygenates such
as ethanol, so small engine manufacturers have made certain their engines
perform on these clean-burning fuels. Generally, E-10 Unleaded may be
used anywhere that ordinary unleaded gasoline is used—from lawn
mowers to personal watercraft, from power equipment to marine engines.
Check your owner’s manual for specific information regarding your
equipment.
Off-road vehicles
such as ATVs and snowmobiles do not have pollution control devices,
as do passenger cars and trucks. Ethanol-blended gasoline helps reduce
exhaust pollution from these types of vehicles. That’s one reason
that Yellowstone National Park requires that all fuel sold in the park
contain 10 percent ethanol.
E85
and Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)
There has been a
dramatic increase in the availability of E85—a blend of 85 percent
ethanol and 15 percent ordinary unleaded gasoline. All major American
automakers offer models that can operate on E85. Called Flexible Fuel
Vehicles or FFVs, these vehicles can actually run on E85, E-10 Unleaded,
ordinary unleaded gasoline—or any combination thereof. A computer
in the fuel system automatically adjusts for the level of ethanol in
the fuel. In other words, FFV owners do not have to fill up with E85
all the time.
The number of E85
stations is increasing every month. For a current list of E85 stations
and a list of FFVs available, visit: www.e85fuel.com.
Last
reviewed June 10, 2005
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