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ETHANOL

Is My Car E85 Capable?

December 12, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

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 FuelingFlex 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.


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

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

 

Filed Under: Ownership Experience Tagged With: American Lung Association, E85, ETHANOL, FLEX FUEL, FUEL, GASOLINE, VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, VIN

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 fuelThe 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.


See Also — Rebates For Buying, Using An E85 Vehicle

Robert Darbelnet photo courtesy of AAA.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: AAA, CONGRESS, E15, engine problems, ETHANOL, FLEX FUEL, fuel lines, Robert Dalbernet

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