Will the New Ethanol Blend Tank My Ride?

[Rhiannon12866]

The EPA has approved a new gas mix with more ethanol, but it might damage your car.

After years of debate—and I'm not exaggerating on that—my husband and I finally bought a car. We settled on a Prius C, a pint-sized younger sibling of the iconic originals that gets 53 miles per gallon.

I drove the car for weeks before I finally had to stop at a gas station. When I pulled open the door to my tank, I found a stark warning sign on the cap telling me I was NOT to put any gasoline blend higher than E10 in my tank.

E10 means gasoline with a 10 percent mix of ethanol, generally derived from corn, and it used to be the highest blend of ethanol allowed in the United States. Ten states require all gas to include 10 percent ethanol. About 80 percent of the gasoline consumed in the US is blended with ethanol, according to the industry's trade group, the Renewable Fuels Association. Most of us—myself included—don't pay a lot attention to what gas we're pumping into our cars, outside of "diesel" or "unleaded," and might not have realized that we are already pumping corn into our tanks.

But we'll have to start paying attention soon, as the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a new policy that will allow states to raise the blend to up to 15 percent ethanol (also known as E15). The EPA says the fuel is approved for use for cars and light trucks from the model year 2001 and later.

http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2012/12/will-e15-tank-my-ride

[NYC_SKP]

1. Many don't realize that ethanol gets fewer Mile Per Gallon.

It's less energy intensive.

I'm unconvinced that ethanol is a good thing for the planet as long as we're using corn.

I am pretty sure that the ag-lobby has crafted this push for ethanol, and GWB was for ethanol, after all, and some good data indicates it takes more petrol to make ethanol than the value of the ethanol you get.

So I would avoid it altogether.

Biodiesel on the other hand is a good thing, I think!

[Rhiannon12866]

3. I worry that they'll start adding more ethanol

My car's on the borderline, 2001, so I'd rather not take chances, and I'm not at all convinced that it won't have environmental repercussions. Plus, using all this corn, that would better suit other purposes, is upsetting an environmental and economic balance. There are stations that still sell ethanol-free, but they're a lot more expensive and few and far between.

[Historic NY]

2. I can run E-85 in one of my vehicles. I won't use that in my old cars.

The following site might be helpful. I unfortunately don't live way upstate.

http://www.buyrealgas.com/

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Thank you! I saw one of these maps somewhere, have been trying to find it...

And I do live way upstate, but there's nothing near me. It would take me a tank of gas to get to one and back...

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Apparently (or hopefully) E-15 pumps will be labelled, and...

unless it is mandated to replace E-10, can be avoided.

Mother Jones has it right-- nobody benefits but the ethanol lobby, and here's a somewhat more technical article saying just how bad any alcohol (except maybe the occasional can of Drygas) in your tank can be:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/biofuels/e15-gasoline-damage-engine

[wtmusic]

8. Ironically, cars with valve and ring wear

will only burn more gas and oil.

Fossil fuels suck.

[trof]

6. You might consider 'marine grade' gasoline.

If you can find it.
It contains no ethanol.
Here in coastal Alabama many stations carry it.
Bit more expensive, but it's said it gives higher gas mileage.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Thanks! I'll keep that in mind.

I joined GasBuddy (where folks post local gas prices from the US and Canada) when the prices were going up and all I've seen here in NY are the standard regular, plus and premium, with the occasional diesel. I have a Pontiac, which has been an excellent car, and I'm in no great hurry to replace it.