Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ethanol good for my car?
A:Yes! Gasoline enriched with ethanol performs in much the same way that regular gasoline does, and actually surpasses regular gasoline in key performance categories. All auto manufacturers who sell cars in the United States approve fuels enriched with up to 10 percent ethanol — and many recommend it for its clean-burning benefits.
Q: Which blend of ethanol fuel should I use?
A:Today’s cars are built to run on fuel enriched with up to 10 percent ethanol and are warranted for its use. More and more vehicles are designed to run on E85 — a blend containing 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline. To find out which fuel is best for your car, check your owner's manual, ask your dealer, or visit current model year FFVs.
Q: Can vehicles run on pure ethanol?
A:Yes — but only in cars designed for it. Today, there are no vehicles designed for pure ethanol, or any stations that offer it. Millions of cars in countries like Brazil run on 100 percent ethanol without difficulty. Right now, ethanol’s use in the United States is currently limited to ethanol-gasoline blends.
Q: How has ethanol helped reduce our dependence on foreign oil?
A:Current ethanol production of 6 billion gallons per year reduces the need to import more than 50 million barrels of oil per year.
Q: How does ethanol affect gas prices?
A:Ethanol actually reduces the cost of gasoline by extending supplies and providing an alternative to costly imported oil. The American Petroleum Institute has estimated that the presence of ethanol causes gasoline prices to be .27 percent lower than would occur without it.
Q: Will ethanol hurt my car’s fuel system?
A:No. Ethanol-enriched gasoline can actually help absorb moisture in a fuel system and help prevent frozen fuel lines in the winter. With an ethanol-enriched gasoline, there’s no need to add a de-icer in the winter. Ethanol is also a solvent, and will keep injectors and other components clean.
Q: Does gasoline enriched with ethanol burn hotter?
A:No. Ethanol increases the octane rating of regular gasoline, which means it burns more smoothly and slightly cooler. A gallon of 10 percent ethanol-enriched gasoline contains about 112,000 BTU of heat energy, compared to 114,000 BTU for straight gasoline.
Q: Shouldn’t we use crops to feed the hungry instead?
A:The use of crops for ethanol doesn’t reduce the amount of food available. Ethanol is produced from field crops that are not grown for human consumption.
Q: Does ethanol increase smog?
A:No. Under the Clean Air Act, all gasolines — whether they contain ethanol or not — must meet the same evaporative emissions standards. But more importantly, blending ethanol in gasoline dramatically reduces carbon monoxide tailpipe emissions. According to the National Research Council, carbon monoxide emissions are responsible for as much as 20 percent of smog formation. Additionally, ethanol-enriched fuels reduce tailpipe emissions of volatile organic compounds, which readily form ozone in the atmosphere. Thus, the use of ethanol plays an important role in smog reduction.
Q: Is ethanol-enriched gasoline available everywhere?
A: Not yet. If it’s not available in your area, let your local gas station know that you want ethanol-enriched fuel as an option.
Is E85 available near me?
Q: What can I do to get ethanol-enriched fuel in my area?
A:Contact your local gas stations — and tell your friends to do the same. Here are some ideas to spread the word about ethanol.
Q: How does ethanol affect gas mileage?
A:While there are many variables that affect fuel economy (weather, car condition, road grade, tire pressure, air conditioner use, etc.), studies indicate that fuel economy with ethanol-enriched fuels may decrease, but not likely with E10. E85 has approximately 27% less energy then gasoline, but fuel economy loss varies between 10 to 25%.
Q: Can I use ethanol in my snowmobile?
A:Probably — most motorcycle, recreational vehicle and power equipment manufacturers allow the use of ethanol-enriched gasoline in their products without restriction. Check your equipment’s owner’s manual for more information.
