E10 Ethanol: Recommended engine precautions

Fuel system and gas rules have changed - Precautions are necessary when you chose to use E10 ethanol-blends of gasoline.

Ethanol is alcohol and will attract/absorb water into gas resulting in phase separation of fuel.

Due to the instability of gas containing alcohol, shelf life is less than 3 months.

Fuel Testers recommends testing gasoline for alcohol at the pumps before purchase.

Alcohol Fuel Test Kits will assure gas contains 10% or less ethanol. ORDER a Gas Test Kit

Precautions/Tips For Use of E10 Gas

1. Test gas for alcohol presence and to assure it is below the legal limit of 10%.

Gas alcohol levels above 10 percent can cause major damage to many engines. Many pumps do not label when ethanol alcohol is added.

Inexpensive portable Fuel Test Kits that check presense of water and alcohol in gas are now available.

2. Replace the gas in your fuel tank at least every 2-3 weeks.

The shelf life of E-10 gas is only 3 months (90-100 days) under ideal environmental conditions.

3. Know the specific fuel laws for your state.

Many states still do not require the labeling of E10 gas at the pumps. View state ethanol labeling laws here: http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_guide_ethanol_laws.html

4. Check your owner's manual for fuel type recommended.

Older engines (prior to 1998) and several luxury vehicles do not permit the use of alcohol fuels. Many lower-priced and high mileage automobiles experience performance problems and part damage from the use of E10 gas.

5. Prevent external water and moisture (high humidity) from coming in contact with E-10 gas.

6. Ethanol-blend fuels will lower MPG in most engines; Fuel efficiency can decrease by 2-40%.

Maintain your engine to provide the best possible fuel efficiency. (Inflate tires, keep tuned, etc.).

View more information on fuel efficiency and mpg of E-10 gas.

7. Chose an octane level above 90, for an added level of security when purchasing E-10 gas,

If water contaminates (WC) your gas, the fuel will dilute and the octane level can drop up to 3 points.

8. Avoid all fuel additives and fuel system treatment products that contain ethanol or are alcohol-based,

Most octane boosters and fuel system cleansing products contain alcohol. View gas additive list.

9. Become familiar with symptoms and effects of "bad gas", often caused by too high alcohol levels of gas.

Symptoms include varied engine malfunction including stalling, hesitation during WOT, smoke released from exhaust, clogged fuel filters and carburetors, damage to fuel and VRO pumps and pistons, disintegration and dissolving of engine parts (especially rubber and plastic), drying-out of parts (hoses), and more.

10. Save money - Contaminated gas can not be restored to the original composition.

No miracle product exists that will effectively prevent all water absorption or safely repair phase separation (PS) of gas.

11. Frequently check gasoline tank for signs of Water Contamination (WC) and Phase Seperation (PS).

Two or three distinct layers will be seen after WC and PS occur.

12. Check the engine warranty for details and consequences of alcohol fuel use.

Most engine warranties exclude repairs caused by the use of fuel containing a high content of alcohol.

13. Install a water-separator filter (10 micron or better),

14. Store E-10 and E-85 ethanol gas in clean and dry alcohol-resistant tanks.

Fuel discoloration indicates gas contamination, often caused from the release (cleansing) of rust, dirt and sediment from the gas tank walls.

15. Properly discard any fuel that appears to have gone bad.

16. Keep your engine well tuned and lubricated and follow the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule.

Replace parts that are not resistant to alcohol,

Plastic and rubber parts and hoses are most vulnerable. Fuel system and pumps, piston and carburetor and timing may need changes to be compatible.

Older engines often contain parts not designed to resist ethanol/alcohol.

17. Be aware that "private" gas pumps (EG. marine refilling stations) are not required to follow the same laws that pertain to public gas stations.

18. Airplanes (all aircraft) are exempt from using ethanol blends and all alcohol fuels.

19. Many types of engines are not designed for the use of alcohol fuel. This may include older cars and outboards, lawn and other small gas-powered equipment.

Only during the past 5-10 years, have the manufacturers' re-designed engines, when necessary, to be compatible with E-10 gas.

20. Consider purchasing an E85 Flex-Fuel vehicle.

E85 compatible engines contain parts specifically designed to withstand alcohol's negative effects, which will dramatically decrease your risks when buying E10 and other alcohol-blends of gas.

MORE INFORMATION - View why E10 ethanol-blends of gasoline require extra precautions and change in fuel system management.

Alcohol in E10 ethanol gasoline has caused engine problems & damage, especially to older vehicles and marine outboard boat motors.

E10 gasoline causes many more problems and disadvantages than benefits. E85 fuels in E85 designed engines is far more advantageous.

While E-85 fuel is far from a perfect solution, it also decreases our dependence on foreign fuel.

The United States must take the necessary steps to provide a beneficial type of alternative/renewable NON-petroleum fuel in the near future.

Possibilities include engines powered by wind/solar, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas and more.

Ethanol alcohol mixed with petroleum is not a long term solution- But for now E85 gas in an E85 designed engine is the best choice currently available to most consumers.

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