E10 Gas - Lower Efficiency, Rises Gas Costs Even Further.

E10 gasoline usually lowers MPG by about 2 to 7 %.

Many consumers and studies reveal E10 gas can decrease MPG up to 20%!

E10 gas will drive fewer miles.

The EPA and ACE (ethanol.org) report a 2 to 3 % reduction in mpg for most cars.

A 2 to 3 % reduction in fuel economy =

1 mile/gallon fuel economy reduction in a car that averages 27 mpg.

A 4 to 6 % reduction in fuel economy =

2 miles/gallon fuel economy reduction in a car that averages 27 mpg.

E85 generates only about 75 percent as much power as a gallon of gasoline. That means that ethanol would have to be roughly 25-40 percent cheaper per gallon to be a bargain for consumers, which it is not true today.

Often more costly than the reduction in mpg,

is the damage and negative effects alcohol gasoline can have on engines and parts.

Consumers have not been properly educated on E10 and often are unaware of actions they must take to prevent problems from ethanol fuels.

A report published by the EPA titled Fuel Economy and Engine Performance, states oxygenates (ethanol) cause "minimal reduction in mpg"...

and

"...many engine performance problems are due to factors other than gasoline and may be corrected by relatively simple consumer actions..."

and

"...fuel economy loss that can be attributed to the presence of oxygenates is 3 %...".

See http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/ostp-3.pdf for complete report.

Fuel-testers Note: The EPA reporting only a 3 % reduction can be explained by the study testing newer cars in excellent condition only.

Who reaps the profits of increased gasoline consumption (3 to 40%), due to the lower efficiency of E10 and E85?

Answers very widely, and this issue is widely debated. Since gas suppliers are already receive tax credits and financial incentives for E10 and E85 gas, it seems the consumers are not purchasing etahnol-blend fuels at a lower price, as they expected.

Sadly, consumers all to often incur additional costs beyond the price of gasoline when using E10.

Mechanical problems when using alcohol fuels are common, especially in older engines when switching from non-alcohol to alcohol gasoline. The release of years of accumulation of rust, sediment, and other material in your engine, will also be removed and released or dissolved or disintegrated from your engine and engine parts - Result is costly repairs from clogged filters, disintegration and drying of parts (especially rubber and plastic) and numerous other malfunction of motors caused by ethanol/alcohol.

- Service and maintain your engines to obtain the highest fuel efficiency.

- Where available, purchase conventional non-alcohol fuel.

- In states that do not use E10 stickers on pump to identify ethanol was added, check the gas with an ethanol fuel test kit.

- Beware: Your engine owner's manual and/or warranty may forbid use of E-10 gas.

- Adding alcohol-based fuel additives, octane enhancers, etc. may decrease fuel efficiency even more.

There are many other measures you can take to improve your vehicle's mpg.

Even something as simple as checking and changing filters often, which will become dirty quicker when using E10 (due to it's cleansing & solvent abilities), will improve your mpg.

More information on mpg by Fuel-Testers company...

Are you driving a fuel efficient car?

Visit the U.S. government's official fuel economy website listing miles-per-gallon on new and used vehicles from 1985-present.