Gibbz asked:


We’ve all heard of E85, 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Some states currently run E10, most recently California. Minnesota passed an E20 mandate but has yet to get the ok from the EPA. I’ve heard a person gets the best mileage with E30. If so, why not mandate E30 eventually? If I were to pump 20 total gallons into my fuel tank, 13 gal. gasoline & 7 gal. E85 to make E30, adjusting the equation in states currently blending ethanol, how would that effect my vehicle mileage, engine mechanics, and performance? Is the EPA testing for E20 and E30?

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5 Comments so far

1. nbr660 February 13, 2010 2:58 pm

   you’ll loose mileage but you’ll gain it being cheaper to fill up

2. Pablo G February 16, 2010 6:01 am

   First you must make sure your engine will accept it. As far as I know most vehicles can only take up to 10% without major modifications. You wont get better gas mileage in fact you’ll lose some but the cost to fill up and the energy content in the fuel will be much greater than just plain gasoline so theres a big trade-off.

3. Nomadd February 18, 2010 4:02 am

   The engine has to be made to take that fuel. You won’t get better mileage. It will be much worse. You only get about half the mileage from alcohol that you do from gasoline.

4. ucantcme February 18, 2010 4:04 pm

   All vehicles are “ethanol-capable” and can use a blend of up to 10% ethanol. Since the 1980s all automakers have covered up to 10% ethanol-blended fuel by warranty, no engine modifications necessary.

   If your vehicle is not an FFV, use of any percentage of ethanol higher than 10% is not covered by warranty. People have reported that they use higher percentages of ethanol in regular, unmodified vehicles. A pilot study conducted in mid-2006 suggests that up to 30% ethanol could be used in a non-flex fuel vehicle, but more research is required on this subject.

   In theory, it is possible; in reality, it is difficult. A vehicle could be converted to operate on E85, but the challenge would be converting it to be a truly flexible fuel vehicle, one that could operate on any blend of fuel up to the 85% ethanol. The good news is that automakers are increasing their lineups of FFVs each model year, so whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicle, they are available.

5. terrellbuchan February 19, 2010 9:50 am

   You must have a flex fuel vehicle in order to use ethanol. It will damage and contaminate the entire fuel delivery system otherwise. It typically doesn’t increase fuel milage it is just a less costly fuel.

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