Should Ethanol Fuel Content Be Increased?

I have been using 10% for the past 10-15 years with no problems. All gasoline powered vehicles can use a 15 ethanol blend fuel with out modifications. When the vehicle first starts using this fuel more frequent fuel filter changes will be required as the ethanol cleans the fuel system of accumulated garbage.

What the greatest percentage of ethanol a regular engine can handle without modification? Without modification an engine can handle a 10% blend of gasoline and ethanol without risk of damage.

Is there any problems of increasing the percentage of ethanol used to 20% or 25% without any engine modifications? Many states are considering legislation to increase ethanol content of gasoline to 20%. While this is a good idea, a vehicle can not use a 20% blend without certain modifications to the fuel system. at the very least the fuel lines will need to be replaced since the ethanol will degrade them to the point where fuel pressure will cause the line to rupture. Also, the electric fuel pumps will need to be modified to resist ethanol "dry rot".

Then the question is, if they do pass such legislation, who pays for the modifications?

Do I still need to use Dry Gas with Ethanol blend fuels? Dry gas is basically alcohol, ethanol to be specific. The ethanol mixes with the water and keeps it from freezing when the temperature drops and makes it burnable. The only place where dry gas would not help is in areas that require a 10% ethanol/gasoline blend which, in essence, puts in one gallon of dry gas in every ten gallons of gasoline.

Will ethanol hurt my older engine designed for leaded gas? Not to worry, ethanol burns cooler than straight gasoline helping to keep the valves cool. This is the main reason that high powered racing engines burn straight alcohol.

Why do some mechanics say not to use ethanol? A mechanic who says not to use ethanol does not have correct information. There is very little information available for mechanics on fuel formulation, so when there appears to be a fuel-related problem with an engine, some mechanics will immediately ask if ethanol has been used. The only reason ethanol is suspected is that in many states it is the only gasoline component other than lead that has an identifying label.

Okay, what about my gas mileage?At the very worst it will be very slight. Ethanol contains 97% of the energy that pure gasoline has. But because the combustion efficiency is increased, the slight reduction in energy content is compensated for. Most users will not notice the decrease, if any, and many people have reported an increase in fuel mileage.

Can I use it in diesel engine? No, Diesel fuel and ethanol don't mix. Besides which gasoline is an octane fuel while diesel fuel is a cetain fuel.

Where can I get a hybrid vehicle? Toyota and Honda, currently are the leaders in hybrid vehicle and have a significant number of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles on the road.

How do hybrid cars work? hybrids combine electric motors with a highly efficient three or four cylinder internal combustion engine. This hybridization gives you the ability to drive 500 miles or more using less fuel and never having to plug in for recharging.

But do hybrid vehicles accelerate as fast as a non-hybrid vehicle. The answer is yes! Hybrids can boast better "low end torque" than comparable conventional vehicles meaning that the gasoline/electric drive will actually deliver better acceleration at low speeds.

Are there diesel/electric hybrids? Well, yes and no. Yes there are diesel/electric hybrids and no they are not available in a commercial motor vehicle. Diesel/electric hybrids have been in use in railroad locomotives since about the 1950's and in non-nuclear submarines since the early 1900's. So unless you have railroad tracks or a very big bathtub, it is not an option to the average person.