Ethanol

[toosoonold]

Is Ethanol safe to use?

I was wondering if ethanol is ok to use in a 08 Honda Pilot? I know the mileage is less but the price is about .75 less per/gal. I recently noticed that it is available in my area (northeast). Advantages? Disadvantages? I don't want to be penny wise and dollar foolish. Thanks

[BDC]

Any car can use E10 safely. If your car is a flex-fuel vehicle, you can use E85. However it will not save you money -- the cost per gallon is less, but the cost per mile is higher.

[rem83]

If you are talking about E85 ethanol, then you should check your owners manual to see if your vehicle can use it.

[toosoonold]

Thanks for your comments. I'll check my owner's manual. I thought that if my mpg went down about 5% but my cost was 1/3 less..then I would realize a savings. Is my logic sound?

[BDC]

With E85, your mileage will drop much more than 5%.

In any case, try this link: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=honda+pilot+e85

[MikeHTally]

E85 is a hoax. Less energy/gallon, WAY more expensive to produce. Safe to use? Yes. Alternative fuel? Not even close.

[willix]

It would be better if we didn't have ethanol in the fuel. No brainer!!!

[willix]

The epa lowered all our fuel mileage stats due to ethanol and thats why its a total farce. Its mandated by federal law and we can't control what we put in the tank. Not all of us can afford to purchase a vehicle the is efficient on the diluted inferior fuel.

[willix]

Corn liquor farmers love it!

[STC]

I am ethanol free. I use RBOB oxygenated gas... or simply pure gas in my vehicle. I believe the federal mandate is with the use of MTBE additive, not ethanol. Because of its (MTBE) environmental factors, other oxygenates have been suggested. Simply MTBE is pretty much banned in the US! Instead, the federal government is pushing ethanol additive. State governments have been forced to pick up the slack with legislation on ethanol by the feds. But, the US government has no mandate strictly for ethanol. There are only state laws requiring states to label ethanol contents on the their pumps. Every state is different. I live in PA and no matter now much ethanol there needs to be a sticker. In NY they need a sticker only if higher 1%. In Ohio no sticker is required by the state if ethanol is used. Here in central PA you can still find non-ethanol gas, but not in Philly and Pittsburgh through state laws... so the cities use ethanol. Unfortunately, most merchant's now (mom & pop and unbranded gas stations) are going the ethanol way! Damn government subsidies to the corn farmers! It's very lucrative for gas stations to use ethanol because the government gives those merchants a huge break for switching.

http://www.fuel-testers.com/state_gu...anol_laws.html

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp