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Fuel Types and Your Car

October 19, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

Have you been to a service station lately? Unless you are part of the small cohort of electric vehicle devotees, then you are making regular visits to the fuel pump and shelling out a lot of cash in the process.

While visiting the pump, you will find several grades of gasoline and in some cases diesel and biofuel options. Choosing the right fuel for your car can help it run its best while enabling you to avoid costly repairs as you keep your vehicle in sound operating condition.

Your Owner’s Manual

If you are not sure what type of fuel your car takes, there are two places where that information is prominently posted within your vehicle.

fuel filler The first is printed on its fuel cap. The second is in your owner’s manual. Carefully read what is published and understand the distinction between “recommended” and “required” fuels.

Recommended fuels represent the grade of gasoline that your car is optimized to consume. Required fuels are those that you must use or risk damaging your engine and perhaps invalidating your new car warranty.

Many high-performance engines equipped with turbochargers and superchargers require premium-grade gasoline only. Understand the distinction between “recommended” and “required” to avoid making a costly mistake. Engine damage can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Gasoline Grades

Most fuel pumps offer two grades of gasoline, with others offering three or more.

Regular grade gasoline typically comes in at 87 octane, with octane representing a flammable hydrocarbon liquid. An octane rating measures a particular fuel’s propensity to ping or knock when mixed with air and burned within an engine’s cylinders.

To avoid knocking, especially in higher compression ratio engines, manufacturers may recommend or require that you use mid-grade gasoline (89 or 90 octane) or premium grade gasoline (usually 92 or 93 octane). There is, however, usually no performance advantage for fueling with a higher grade gasoline than for regular if your car is optimized to take lower octane rated fuel.

All About Diesel

Just as the octane rating measures gasoline’s quality of ignition, cetane measures diesel fuel.

However, the similarities end there as cetane measures ignition delay, the time between the start of fuel injection and the start of ignition. A higher cetane number means your diesel-powered vehicle will start faster, operate quieter, run more efficiently and emit lower levels of pollutants.

Unlike gasoline, motorists will typically find just one diesel choice at service stations. Cetane ratings typically range from 40 to 45 and in some cases as high as 55.

Biofuels and Alternative Fuel Choices

Many service stations around the country carry biofuels. In fact, if you fill your car with gasoline, there is a significant likelihood that your fuel contains up to 10 percent ethyl alcohol.

E85 fuel This should be of little concern for you as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles can run safely on a small blend of gasoline and ethanol, the latter typically derived from corn and other plant-based materials.

Some cars are known as flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which means they can take either straight gasoline or a combination of gasoline and ethyl alcohol up to 85 percent. So-called E85 fuel or ethanol consists of 85 percent ethyl alcohol and 15 percent gasoline.

(See Also — Rebates For Buying, Using An E85 Vehicle)

Similarly, many of today’s diesel engines can take biodiesel, representing a combination of animal fats, cooking oil or soybean oil and straight diesel, ranging from 5 to 20 percent. Thus, B20 fuel represents 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.

A select number of vehicles can run on propane fuel or compressed natural gas (CNG), typically following aftermarket retrofits that make this possible. The advantage of both fuels is that they are cheaper and run cleaner than gasoline or diesel, but few service stations carry them. In areas where allowed, homeowners may install liquid petroleum (propane) tanks on their property. Homes equipped with a natural gas line can also install a compressor appliance to refuel their vehicles overnight.

Shopping for a Vehicle

Not all models offer one fuel type only. Some are able to take gasoline, other diesel, while still others run on natural gas or liquid petroleum.

When shopping for a new vehicle, consider the current costs for these fuels and plan your purchase accordingly.

See Also — Is My Car E85 Capable?

Photo Credit: “INL E85 Fueling” by Idaho National Laboratory is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Is My Car E85 Capable?

December 12, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

Ethanol-blended fuel is generally sold as E85, consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent straight gasoline. This particular fuel is usually derived from corn or some other grain, or by means of using other renewable or recyclable materials. E85 is relatively clean burning, provides more power to your car, but is less efficient than gasoline. Not all cars can run on E85, but yours might provided that at least one of the following three “clues” is in evidence.

Clue No. 1: Badging

The most obvious indication that your car is E85 compatible is badging or other visible signage affixed to your car. Car manufacturers will often attach a badge stating “Flex Fuel” or “E85 Ethanol” somewhere on the body’s surface, usually at the rear or on the sides of the car.

E85 Fueling Flex fuel means your car can run on straight gasoline or ethanol, signaling that the fuel system has upgraded plastic and rubber parts and a modified fuel sensor to detect the relative amount of ethanol to gasoline.

Clue No. 2: Placarding

With some flex-fuel vehicles, placarding is used to identify this capability. For instance, you may find a sticker affixed directly above the gas cap or inside the fuel door, indicating E85 compatibility.

In addition, some manufacturers use bright yellow gas caps and inscribe E85/Gasoline on the cover of the cap to denote its flex-fuel capabilities.

Clue No. 3: Owner’s Manual

Your owner’s manual provides a wealth of information about your car. Turn to the section about fuel to learn what types of fuel are recommended for your car.

If your car can take E85 fuel, that information will be clearly outlined in the manual.

American Lung Association

The most comprehensive list of flexible fuel vehicles listed online is tracked by the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest’s “Clean Air Choice” website.

This list is updated regularly and includes all models produced since 1995 when select Ford Taurus models were built with flex-fuel capabilities. Moreover, the ALA doesn’t identify affected sub-models, but they do indicate which vehicles offer an FFV option.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Your vehicle’s 17-digit vehicle identification number may indicate its flex-fuel capability if no evidence can be found on the exterior of your car or in the owner’s manual. The VIN can usually be found on the driver’s side of the dashboard at the base of the windshield and viewed from the outside of your vehicle.

Each letter or digit also represents something about your vehicle including the year it was made, engine type, body style, country of origin and other factors. The eighth placement is reserved by some manufacturers, including Chrysler, to identify its flex-fuel capability.

Jot down your entire VIN and contact your dealer to determine whether your car is flex-fuel ready.

E85 Order: No Specific Rules

The federal government hasn’t instituted rules to identify E85 vehicles, leaving that responsibility to automotive manufacturers. Flex-fuel vehicles began entering the market in the mid-1990s, which means that the aged sedan you bought for your son or daughter may be flex-fuel capable without your knowledge.

If in doubt about your car’s ethanol readiness, never use E85 as it can damage engine seals. E85 is also harder to find at service stations outside of the upper midwest and is up to 30 percent less fuel efficient than straight gasoline.

Photo Credit: “INL E85 Fueling” by Idaho National Laboratory is licensed under CC BY 2.0

AAA CEO Robert Darbelnet Implores Congress to Suspend E15 Sales

February 28, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

The chief executive of North Americas largest motoring club testified before Congress on Tuesday, asking members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcomitteee on Environment to suspend the sale of E15 fuel. That fuel, comprised of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent straight gasoline, may harm cars. in his testimony, CEO Robert Darbelnet cited the lack of consumer protections in place and called for additional testing by the National Academy of Sciences.

EPA Approval

AAA’s intervention follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to permit the sale of E15 fuel. Last November, AAA published a report noting that only 12 million of the more than 240 million registered light-duty vehicles in the United States have been engineered to take E15 fuel.

flex fuel The organizations in-house engineering experts have claimed that using such fuel in most vehicles could speed up engine wear and failure, as well as damage fuel systems including accelerating fuel pump failure. Also, the check engine light could come on for no reason.

Notably, AAA also found that 95 percent of American consumers were unaware of E15 fuel and might mistakenly using this fuel when they should not. Several manufacturers including Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Chrysler and Nissan have come out and said that E15-related engine problems might not be covered by their warranties. Other car manufacturers have said that the fuel does not comply with owners manual requirements and could void warranty coverage.

Flex-Fuel Vehicles

Owners of current flex-fuel capable vehicles can use E15 without incident. Certain other vehicles including Porsches from 2001 model year on and newer GM vehicles also can handle the fuel. The Ford Motor Company says that all 2013 model-year Ford vehicles are E15 capable.

Most of the gasoline that consumers buy today is E10 fuel or what can be found in 90 percent of the fuel blends sold in America. That blend does not cause engine failure nor fuel line problems.

Ethanol Coalition Position

AAA’s position is in stark contrast to the American Coalition for Ethanol, the ethanol lobby that has been pushing for E15 acceptance. The organization sent a letter to the Environment Committee, disputing the Coordinating Research Councils findings, the same tests the AAA has cited. ACE insists that the fuel is safe following rigorous EPA testing and scientific data.

That AAA is speaking out against E15 underscores its commitment to its 53 million members and the driving public in general. In a radio interview shortly before giving his testimony, Darbelnet explained to Blog Talk Radio listeners that AAA wanted to make sure that every American motorist is aware of the risk that E15 presents, so that we can minimize the likelihood of people being stranded at the road side or experiencing unnecessary engine repairs due to misfueling.

Consumer Awareness

Darbelnet noted that AAA will support E15 fuel provided that consumers are aware of the possible problems and once manufacturers adjust their fleets to accommodate the fuel. Still, there will always be cars on the road that cannot handle the higher ethanol blend, therefore support from the motor club will probably be held in reserve for now.

AAA and the ethanol lobby are in agreement about a few things: ethanol blends support American jobs and also reduce our nations dependence on foreign sources of oil. Both organizations also contend that such fuels save Americans money, but judging by current fuel pump prices and the much lower mileage estimates of E85-fueled vehicles, those savings quickly evaporate.

Robert Darbelnet photo courtesy of AAA.

How Can I Tell If My Car is Flex-Fuel Capable?

October 31, 2012 by admin 2 Comments

Cars that are flex fuel capable are vehicles that can run on either straight gasoline or an ethanol blend. An ethanol blend is fuel that consists of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, or what most of us know as E85 fuel. Not all cars are flex fuel capable and some owners may be surprised to know that they own such a vehicle. If you are not sure whether you drive an FFV, there are five ways to confirm this.

1. Inspect you gas cap. Most car manufacturers of flex-fuel vehicles use yellow gas caps on FFV models. GM initiated this practice in 2006 and other manufacturers have been following suit since 2008. In addition to the yellow cap, you may see E85 / Gasoline printed on the surface of the cap.

2. Check out the fuel door. Pop open the fuel door of your vehicle and you may seen a label identifying what types of fuel your car can take. If you see “E85,” then your car is flex-fuel capable. With some cars the label may be on the outside surface of the door.

3. Look at the body. Manufacturers typically like to boast that a car is flex-fuel capable. You may find various badges on the side and rear of the vehicle with designations such as “FFV,” “FlexFuel,” and “E85 Ethanol” present. FFVs have been around since the early 1990s — some older vehicles may not have badges present.

4. Open your owner’s manual. If you are not familiar with your owner’s manual, then sit down and open it up. Find the section that talks about fuel. If your car is an FFV it will note this as it mentions the different types of fuel your car takes such as regular grade gasoline and E85.

5. Check the Vehicle Identification Number. Yes, that 17-character alphanumeric sequence found on your dashboard and other areas of your car can tell you whether you own an FFV or not. Thanks to the great work of the North Carolina Solar Center, that information can be deciphered. Most FFVs have a special 8th VIN character designation that confirms this information, but sometimes another character is used. Check out the NC page to learn about your car.

FFV Facts

Cars that are fueled with E85 enjoy a slight boost in performance. However, your fuel mileage will drop by about 25 to 30 percent, a reduction that is not always offset by a similar lower price. E85 pumps are sometimes difficult to find too with greater concentrations in the midwest and other corn-growing regions of the country.

(See Also — Fuel Types and Your Car)

Rebates For Buying, Using An E85 Vehicle

September 19, 2009 by admin 3 Comments

E85 vehicles or flex fuel vehicles (FFV) are select cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers and commercial vehicles which run on E85 fuel. E85 represents a blend of ethanol and regular gasoline, with 85 percent of the mixture consisting of ethanol and the remaining 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is developed from a number of different products, including corn, but E85 can only be used in vehicles which have been factory developed to use this fuel. Your owner’s manual will indicate whether your car can run on E85 fuel.

corn field — Ethanol is usually derived from corn and, thanks to government incentives, can yield nice incentives for the buyers and drivers of flexible fuel vehicles (FFV).

Because E85 fuel produces fewer harmful emissions, some government agencies offer consumers rebates or tax credits when they purchase these types of vehicles to encourage the purchase of FFVs. Right now, Congress is considering legislation that would provide a rebate or tax credit for purchasers of E85 vehicles, similar to what is already extended to most hybrid and a handful of lean burning diesel vehicles. At the moment, no federal rebate is in place.

State Level Incentives

On the state level, E85 vehicle owners may be able to find a rebate by visiting their state’s Environmental Protection Agency website or similar agency. For example, in Illinois, the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind. The program encourages drivers to fill up with E85 at least fifty percent of the time in order to qualify for a rebate. Drivers must save their receipts and submit that information to the state at the end of the year along with required forms and paperwork in order to receive rebate for up to $450 annually. In addition, purchasing an FFV vehicle can result in a one time rebate for up to $4000 for Illinois residents only.

Go to the The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, a US Department of Energy site, to find what incentives are available for your state. A detailed map of the US with each state outlined is given, whereby you can click on your state to find which incentives are in place. Keep in mind that the Department of Energy list may not have the most up to date information, therefore go directly to your state’s official website, such as www.nj.gov, to review current information.

Fed Incentives Soon?

Lastly, bookmark www.irs.gov to keep pace with federal government programs related to FFVs. When new legislation is passed by Congress and signed by the president, that information will be posted to the IRS website, particularly if a federal tax credit is involved. Alternately, check the Department of Energy site for related updates.