E10 Ethanol, bad for your engine & economy? [MERGED]

[acespino2000]

SEAOIL will be launching ethanol blended gasoline on sept 1. A 10% ethanol will be blended on our gasoline products ....This is in line with the Clean Air Act program of our government and our contribution to the society thru a cleaner environment and giving livelihood to our sugarcane farmers/producers.


A 2 point increase of octane rating will be contributed to the current octane level of the gasoline....so yung unleaded the 93 RON will be 95 and yung premium from 95 RON to be 97 or 98 RON..What's good is that there will be no increase in pump prices....

Remember..ETHANOL is being used as a racing fuel.....increase in torque but fuel efficiency might suffer by 8%.





FACTS AND FICTIONS About ethanol:



Ethanol, an alcohol fuel, provides high quality, low cost octane for exceptional engine performance. Ethanol has been used in cars since Henry Ford designed his 1908 Model T to operate on alcohol. Trillions of miles have been driven on ethanol-blended fuel since 1980. In fact, several teams in national and international racing competitions use ethanol because of its high octane and exceptional performance. These professional racecar drivers will tell you: "Ethanol performs!"


Ethanol-blended fuels account for approximately 30% of all automotive fuels sold in the U.S.


With a 113 octane rating, ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today's high-compression engines running smoothly.





Ethanol-blended fuel keeps your fuel system clean for optimal performance because it does not leave gummy deposits.


Ethanol helps prevent wintertime problems by acting as a gas-line antifreeze.


Ethanol-blended fuels are approved under the warranties of all major auto manufacturers marketing vehicles in the U.S. Some even recommend ethanol use for its clean burning benefits.


All mainstream manufacturers of power equipment, motorcycles, snowmobiles and outboard motors permit the use of ethanol blends in their products.




Won't the use of ethanol negatively affect my vehicle's performance?

No. Ethanol is a high quality, high-octane fuel capable of reducing air pollution and improving automobile performance. Because ethanol is the highest-octane fuel on the market, it helps your car run more smoothly. It also keeps your fuel system clean for optimal performance because ethanol won't leave gummy deposits. And because ethanol burns cleaner, it produces fewer emissions. Today, all vehicle manufacturers approve the use of up to 10% ethanol blended fuels, and several even recommend ethanol use for its positive environmental impacts.

"Over the past 20 years, we've seen a whole new generation of vehicles coming into service. Auto manufacturers have made design changes to these vehicles, to make them ethanol-compatible and take advantage of ethanol's benefits," says Steve Mikesell, an ASE Master-certified mechanic from Chariton, Iowa, who has several years experience with Chevrolet and who taught auto mechanics at Lincoln Technical Institute for nearly 20 years.


Doesn't ethanol plug fuel filters?

No. The use of leaded-gasoline generally resulted in greater deposits throughout the fuel system. When cleaner gasoline with ethanol and detergents replaced leaded-gasoline beginning in the mid-1980s, there were some initial problems as deposits were flushed from the fuel system. Today, all gasolines sold in the U.S. include detergents designed to keep fuel systems clean; therefore the problem no longer exists.


Isn't ethanol bad for certain fuel system components in fuel pumps and carburetors?

No. Today's cars are built to be compatible with ethanol-blended fuels and are warranted for its use. When ethanol was first introduced in the early 1980s, some cars experienced deterioration of some elastomers (rubber-like parts) and metal in fuel system components. Very quickly manufacturers upgraded these fuel system components so that today they are all compatible with ethanol fuels.



Doesn't ethanol reduce my gas mileage?

There are many variables with regard to fuel economy, including the season, the weather, and the state of tune of the vehicle, road grade, tire pressure, and the use of air conditioners. In fact, some carbureted vehicles that run rich experience an increase in fuel economy with ethanol-blended fuels. Other tests and studies suggest that fuel economy may decrease by approximately 2% in fuel-injected cars, such that a car averaging 30 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway would average 29.4 MPG using an ethanol-blended fuel (10% ethanol), not enough to be detected by the average driver. For E85, it has a much higher octane (ranging from 100 to 105) than gasoline. FFVs are not optimized to E85, so they experience a 5% to 15% drop in fuel economy. This will vary based on temperature and driving conditions. At the same time, the use of ethanol contributes to a cleaner environment, stronger economy, and increased energy security.


Won't ethanol-blended fuel attract moisture in fuel systems?

No. All of today's automotive fuel systems are closed systems and cannot attract moisture. The most likely cause for water in gasoline today is from service station storage tanks, which is a rare problem. Ethanol can help absorb moisture in a fuel system and carry it out in suspension as it is consumed, preventing frozen fuel lines in the winter. There is no need to add a de-icer when ethanol is used. If water contamination becomes too high, it will separate and fall to the bottom of the vehicle's fuel tank. If this happens, it is best to remove the water-contaminated fuel (dispose of it properly) and refill the tank with ethanol-blended fuel, which will absorb any trace amounts of water that remain.


Why do some mechanics recommend against ethanol use?

The introduction of new gasoline additives and reformulated gasolines has resulted in a lot of confusion. Not all auto technicians and mechanics receive factual and current information on the numerous changes that have been made in modern gasoline formulations. The need for current, accurate information prompted the Renewable Fuels Foundation to provide an educational grant for the preparation of the Changes in Gasoline Manual: The Auto Technician's Gasoline Quality Guide. The Manual is designed to ensure that service technicians have the information they need to understand fuel quality issues, both for diagnostic reasons and for the ability to convey accurate information and recommendations to the consumer. For a hard copy of the Manual or training video, please call 800/378-9974.


Won't ethanol hurt my snowmobile?

Absolutely not. In fact, due to rising concerns about emissions from snowmobiles in some recreation and wilderness areas, the use of ethanol-blended fuel is required to protect air quality. Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol is approved by all engine warranties. Check your owner's manual. Tests completed on SkiDoo Snowmobiles showed no problems with engine parts, pistons were normal and lubrication good. Some manufacturers recommend changing to a larger main carburetor jet size when operating on oxygenated fuel.


Won't ethanol hurt my motorboat?

No. In fact, ethanol is the oxygenate of choice in some water-recreation areas because of its clean air and clean water benefits. In the absence of ethanol, more of these areas would become off-limits to personal watercraft. The results of extensive testing by Mercury Marine operating 30 different watercraft on ethanol-blended gasolines found that there were "no malfunctions or operational driving difficulties attributable to ethanol blends." In addition, multiple phase separation tests were conducted during this period and "no phase separation was noted." Honda, Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC (Johnson/Evinrude), Pleasurecraft, Tigershark (Artco), Tracker and Yamaha allow the use of ethanol fuels in their products. Click here to view warranty statements.


Won't ethanol harm my lawnmower?

No. Tests completed on lawnmowers, chainsaws, weed trimmers and blower vacs with ethanol fuels showed no engine failures, no unscheduled maintenance and good performance. Small engine manufacturers have long permitted the use of ethanol fuels.



www.ethanolrfa.org or www.seaoil.com.ph

[ghosthunter]

its been reported by some users of ethanol blended gasolines in the US that it gives less milage than straight gasoline.

[mbt]

i think race cars use methanol, not ethanol hehe. methanol is 135 octane but is toxic to humans

[altec]

So why is it stated in my kia sedona manual on page 5-3, special mention ang gasoline containing alcohol and methanol, na maximum 10% lang ng ethanol, and 0% methanol. Ethanol is known as grain alcohol, while methanol is known as wood alcohol daw.
Vehicle damage or driveability problems may not be covered by the warranty if they result from the use of 1. gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol, 2. gasoline or gasohol containing methanol, 3. leaded fuel or leaded gasohol. BUT, nothing mentioned about diesel.

[Karding]

.What's good is that there will be no increase in pump prices....

Ethanol is replacing MTBE. But what Ethanol is supposed to do is decrease the price. Whats so good about this for consumers? Manufacturers will spend less on Ethanol but yet, prices will stay the same. Wow, its really good...good for oil F'ers.

Ethanol to Fuel IndyCar Series

Beginning with the 2006 season, the Indy Racing League's IndyCar® Series will be fueled by American-made ethanol.



“The American Coalition for Ethanol is extraordinarily proud that the IndyCar Series has made ethanol its fuel of choice,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “When we had our first discussions three years ago, we dared to dream that ethanol could be the fuel to power the Indy Racing League. Now ethanol will prove its high performance merits in an incredible venue, and the U.S. ethanol industry is grateful for the opportunity and eager to get started.”



In a March 3, 2005 announcement at Union Station on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Indy Racing League and ethanol industry officials explained that the 2006 IndyCar Series will be fueled by a blend of 90% methanol – the league's current racing fuel – and 10% ethanol. The 2007 series will be powered by 100% ethanol.

[buknoy2002]

its been reported by some users of ethanol blended gasolines in the US that it gives less milage than straight gasoline.

so kung same price tapos decrease in mileage....

y pa ako mag ethanol ?


another question, pwede ba lagyan ng acetone yung ethanol blended gas? me savings din kaya?

[yebo]

basahin nyo kasi ng buo yung article. E85 (or 85% ethanol/15% gasoline) fuel po yung nag-decrease ang mileage nila. sa E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline) almost same mileage lang. jumping to conclusions naman kayo e.

sabi na nga "a little knowledge is dangerous". if you are fully informed then the conclusion will be totally different. read the whole thing and be informed of all the facts.

[Karding]

buti na lang may mga taong maraming knowledge kagaya mo. At mabuti na lang may mga Forum na ganito, para madagdagan ang pagkakaron ko ng little knowledge.

Ethanol is a homegrown fuel that results in job creation, increased farm income, improved air quality, and greater energy independence by reducing imports of foreign oil.

Looks like they are trying to make it sound as if Ethanol blends are going to save us from these oil prices.

[Mojo]

kung parehos lang naman presyo dun na tayo sa local, ethanol pwede mangagaling sa sugarcane, pag naging patok yung ethanol magkakaroon ng trabaho at negosya yung mga sugar plantations.

dun na tayo sa ethanol at least magkakaroon tayo ng kaunti security kasi nga hehe 15% na fuel requirement, ethanol hehehe

[falken]

kung parehos lang naman presyo dun na tayo sa local, ethanol pwede mangagaling sa sugarcane, pag naging patok yung ethanol magkakaroon ng trabaho at negosya yung mga sugar plantations.

dun na tayo sa ethanol at least magkakaroon tayo ng kaunti security kasi nga hehe 15% na fuel requirement, ethanol hehehe

Yup, if we can have at least 10% savings from our annual oil importation, it would mean a lot for a poor country like ours. Farmers would benefit and so would our air quality.