❓Ethanol blended fuels, such as E10, do not cause additional engine wear in modern cars.
🔬A study conducted by the US Department of Energy and the US Army showed that ethanol fuels have similar wear characteristics to unleaded gasoline.
⚠️Methanol, however, can cause significantly more wear due to the byproducts of combustion.
🚗For the average driver using E10, there is no need to worry about engine wear.
🔧Older cars with fuel systems not designed for ethanol may experience damage.
Does using ethanol blended fuels, like E10, cause additional engine wear?
—No, ethanol blended fuels do not cause additional engine wear in modern cars. A study conducted by the US Department of Energy and the US Army showed that ethanol fuels have similar wear characteristics to unleaded gasoline.
What about methanol? Does it cause engine wear?
—Yes, methanol can cause significantly more wear due to the byproducts of combustion. However, for the average driver using ethanol blended fuels, there is no need to worry about engine wear.
Should I be concerned about engine wear if my car is older?
—If your car is older and has a fuel system not designed for ethanol, there is a possibility of damage. Ethanol is corrosive, so it could cause harm to fuel lines and other components not built to handle it.
Is there a difference in fuel economy between ethanol blended fuels and pure gasoline?
—Yes, ethanol blended fuels may result in slightly worse fuel economy compared to pure gasoline. Ethanol has lower energy content, which can affect overall efficiency.
Is there any advantage to using ethanol or methanol fuels?
—Pure ethanol and methanol fuels have been found to have cleaner engine internals compared to unleaded gasoline. They tend to have fewer deposits and less varnish, leading to improved engine cleanliness.
01:28Ethanol blended fuels, such as E10, are commonly used in the United States.
02:58A study conducted by the US Department of Energy and the US Army in 1981 showed that ethanol fuels have similar wear characteristics to unleaded gasoline.
06:09Methanol, often used in racing, can cause significantly more wear due to the byproducts of combustion.
08:16For modern cars using E10, there is no need to worry about engine wear.
09:18Older cars with fuel systems not designed for ethanol may experience damage.
