New ethanol blend could damage vehicles and void warranties, AAA warns

[douglas9]

The AAA says the Environmental Protection Agency and gasoline retailers should halt the sale of E15, a new ethanol blend that could damage millions of vehicles and void car warranties.


AAA, which issued its warning today, says just 12 million of more than 240 million cars, trucks and SUVs now in use have manufacturers' approval for E15. Flex-fuel vehicles, 2012 and newer General Motors vehicles, 2013 Fords and 2001 and later model Porsches are the exceptions, according to AAA, the nation's largest motorist group, with 53.5 million members.

"It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle," AAA President and CEO Robert Darbelnet tells USA TODAY. "Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers."

BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and VW said their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by E15. Ford, Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo said E15 use will void warranties, says Darbelnet, citing potential corrosive damage to fuel lines, gaskets and other engine components.

Gasoline blended with 10% ethanol has become standard at most of the nation's 160,000 gas stations, spurred by federal laws and standards designed to use more renewable energy sources and lessen the nation's dependence on foreign oil. Pushed by ethanol producers, the EPA approved the use of E15 -- a 15% ethanol-gasoline blend -- in June over objections from automakers and the oil industry. It's been available at a handful of outlets in Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska since July.

http://www.freep.com/article/20121130/BUSINESS01/121130007/gasoline-ethanol-car-truck-damage-AAA?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[Historic NY]

1. It will kill older cars and small engines...

the stuff out there now reeks havoc on small engines - lawn mowers, weed whackers , pumps, generators etc. The alcohol eats up the pot metal components and softens rubber and plastics. I own three old cars and back in the early 70's they tried this same crap and it was a disaster for car owners.

[RKP5637]

3. This is ridiculous to start providing gas that destroy engines. Some days it's not

even worth the effort, the STUPID is just overwhelming. ...

[RKP5637]

2. This is literally insane. Field day for new car sales as older ones are systematically

destroyed. This kind of crap I just don't go along with ...

[Historic NY]

4. Right now if you don't drain your mowers & stuff at the end of the season...

you may find thay won't run or run correctly next season. My neighbor found out the hard way with his pressure washer used twice. That is with the pump gas now thats blended.

[RKP5637]

5. Yep, I had that happen to my edger. I put in gas stabilizer, but I don't think that helped much, as

you say, better to just drain it all. In Brazil when they switched over they sold conversion kits. As I recall it retarded the timing and also had some stuff you put in gas/oil that was supposed to protect the metal ... don't know how it all worked out for them with older cars, etc.

[kooljerk666]

6. website for ethanol free gas..... pure-gas.org

pure-gas.org

for me, the closest one for cheap stuff is almost 40 miles 100 octane stuff for hot rod m/c $7.00 a gallon.

I use an amsoil ethanol stabilizer called P.I. http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/api.aspx

I have a generator that sat with treated fuel in it for 2.5 years & it started up in less than 5 minutes.

I have also let motorcycles sit for over a year (drained carbs) & the fuel was good enough to start right up.

Here is a 1996 chevy van. the engine made it over 900,000 miles & radiator, heater core, transmission & rear now have 1,400,000 miles on it. http://www.millionmilechevy.com/

Seriously, my 1995 saturn w/127k miles will last me 20-30 more years, I stay off salty stuff & that's the only thing I worry about, rust.

2 m/c's w/30k on them & expect 150k-200k out of both of them. I will not need another vehicle again.

FYI my saturn goes further on 10 gallons of gas than 11 gallons of E-10.

PI is for cars(stuff near top) HOT SHOT is mowers & small stuff inc 2 stroke pre mix http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/aqs.aspx

And for long term storage the best stabilizer I ever used http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ast.aspx


Arab spring was cause by hi food costs. Ethanol is 50% of our corn, last year we were 50% short from drought.

WTF do u think will happen?

BTW I spoke with AAA & Antique automobile club of America & A M/c A about this & all of the are pissed & doing all they can to end this (last summer).

[RKP5637]

7. Thanks for posting this!!! n/t