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What is ethanol?
Ethanol is a clear, colorless alcohol fuel made by fermenting the sugars found in grains, such as corn, grain sorghum, and wheat. How does the use of ethanol reduce exhaust emissions? Since ethanol contains oxygen, it contributes to a cleaner, more efficient burn of the gasoline, which results in lower CO exhaust emissions. Ethanol is a simple chemical which, when burned, does not produce the complex pollutants and aromatics formed by many hydrocarbons and gasoline additives. Will the use of ethanol void my vehicle warranty? No. All vehicle manufacturers in the U.S. approve the use of ethanol in vehicles manufactured since 1982 and some recommend ethanol use for environmental reasons. Many manufacturers do recommend against the use of methanol, which is very corrosive and should not be confused with ethanol. What is E85? E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and only 15% petroleum, is making a splash in the fuel and automotive industry. E85 is used to power flexible-fuel vehicles or FFVs, which cost the same as gasoline models and can run on any mixture of ethanol and gasoline. With three million FFVs currently on the road in the U.S., many people are surprised to learn that they already own an FFV. Even better news is that E85 often costs 10 to 20 cents less than gasoline. |