ETHANOL

What is Ethanol fuel?

Like Biodiesel, Ethanol too is a clean burning alternative fuel made right here in the United States. Ethanol is produced from corn and other common crops. It is a oxygenated high-octane fuel. Ethanol is also commonly known as Ethyl Alcohol or Grain Alcohol in its purest form.

The main benefits of using ethanol are:

- Decrease the harmful emissions that regular unleaded gasoline's put in our atmosphere.
- Increase the efficiency of your engines life through higher octane and oxygen.
- Decrease American dependence on foreign fuels.

Ethanol is not used in its purest form (100% ethanol) in the common engine. It is generally blended with unleaded gasoline to create a useable type of alternative fuel. These common blends are E10 and E85.

Types of Ethanol Fuel

The two common types of ethanol that are widely sold throughout the United States are E10 and E85.

E10 is a blend of 10% ethanol with 90% unleaded gasoline. E10 is safe for use in all vehicles without modification. You could start using E10 today. It would be beneficial to the performance of your vehicle and to your health.

E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol with only 15% unleaded gasoline. E85 must only be used in engines modified to run E85 fuel. E85 is a higher grade alternative fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles or FFVs. They truly are a "Flexible" vehicle. FFVs can run on E85, regular unleaded gasoline or any mixture in between and up to 85% ethanol. Giving the driver flexibility of what fuel they want to use.

Ethanol is an "oxygenated" fuel. This means the properties of ethanol contain more oxygen. The more oxygen in the fuel mixture the better it naturally detonates or burns. The added oxygen also allows it to burn cleaner.

Also, since the BTU value of ethanol is lower than regular unleaded gasoline, it burns cooler. The cooler you keep your engine the longer your engine will last. View other tips to keep your engine efficient and in optimal condition here.

Where can I fill up with ethanol?

As more and more FFVs are being manufactured, more and more E85 fueling stations are popping up around the country. Our friends over at E85fuel.com have a database of the most up to date E85 fueling locations. Click here to find an E85 fueling station in your area.