E85 ETHANOL POWERED CARS
_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Ethanol powered cars are easy to identify if you know what to look for. But if you’re not sure if your car is E-85 compliant, then don’t gamble by putting it in your gas tank. 
_________________________________________________________________ CONSULT YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL OR ASK YOUR CAR DEALER. If your owner’s manual doesn’t clearly state that your car is E-85 compliant, don’t burn it. _________________________________________________________________
E-85 COMPATIBILITY E-85 ethanol fuel is a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The ethanol is corrosive to rubber seals and other components in the fuel systems of many automobiles. The result of burning E-85 ethanol in a vehicle not equipped for it can be engine component damage and dangerous, highly flammable fuel leaks.
Some late model ethanol powered cars have bright yellow gas caps that clearly state that the vehicle is capable of safely burning E-85. If your late model car doesn’t have one of these easy-to-spot gas caps, then it’s doubtful that it can safely use E-85 ethanol. If there is any doubt at all, consult your owner’s manual or ask a dealer who carries your make of vehicle. _________________________________________________________________
E-85 ECONOMY NOTES If your car is E-85 compatible you’ll want to understand the economics of using the stuff. Depending on gasoline prices, E85 Ethanol can look like a bargain. But it’s not quite the bargain it seems to be at first glance. Part of the reason E85 can look cheap is because of U.S. Government subsidies, which all of us in the U.S. pay for. Another reason E85 ethanol has to be cheaper than gasoline is that gas mileage in ethanol powered cars can drop about 28% when it’s used in place of gasoline. That’s because the Btu content, or heat energy, of Ethanol is less than gasoline. [A Btu, or British thermal unit, is the amount of heat required to heat one pound of water, one degree Fahrenheit.] A gallon of gasoline contains, on average, about 116,090 Btus. A gallon of E85 Ethanol (15% gasoline and 85% Ethanol) contains an average of just 82,294 Btus; that’s about 28% less energy than gasoline. D.O.E. Energy Content Comparison That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use E-85. It does help reduce our dependency on foreign oil. And because of computerized engine controls on E-85 ethanol powered cars the mileage penalty is often less than 28%. Monitor your mileage after two or three fill-ups with E-85 fuel and determine the mileage penalty. Then make sure that the price you pay for a gallon of E85 Ethanol is low enough to compensate for the mileage penalty; otherwise, you’re paying too much. This U.S. Department of Energy E85 Cost Calculator can help give you a rough idea of cost expectations. I need to mention that the DOE calculator has a list of E-85 capable vehicles and there are other lists of ethanol powered cars on the Internet. None of the lists are shown here because their accuracy can’t be verified enough for you to make a fueling decision about your own car. At the risk of sounding repetitive, your owner’s manual or an authorized dealer of your make and model of car are the only resources that can accurately tell you if you can safely burn E-85 ethanol in your vehicle. Whether it cost more than gasoline or not, E-85 burns cleaner than gasoline, and every tank of E-85 helps lower the demand on oil just a bit. So, if your vehicle is E-85 compliant, using E-85 is one more thing you can do to help drive energy prices back down. _________________________________________________________________
WHERE TO BUY E-85 ETHANOL E-85 Ethanol isn’t available everywhere. Listed below are maps that show where to buy E-85 ethanol in your area.
E85Refuling.com
U.S. Department of Energy E85 Locator _________________________________________________________________
MORE ABOUT E-85 More E-85 and ethanol information can be found at:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass
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