Gas mileage of ethanol-added gasoline?

[KC2UGV]

No, it specifically said to even avoid 10% blends. See above.

Odd, here's what the owner's manual states from Ford:

If your vehicle is not a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), then only useUNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum of 10%
ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel, methanol, leaded fuel or
any other fuel.

http://owner.ford.com/servlet/Conten...rd&model=Focus

Fifth Printing.

Of course, that's for a 2012 Ford Focus. What year is yours?

[N2RJ]

No, it specifically said to even avoid 10% blends. See above.

But.. but... Corey and his mechanics know better the vehicle manufacturers.

[W4GPL]

When I got the car, they gave me a very bright red addendum to the owners manual that specifically covered ethanol fuels and and octane.

And it was from Ford, not the dealership. On the Focus forums I read, other people have spoken to this as well.

[W4GPL]

If you're not going to read..

[KC2UGV]

And it was from Ford, not the dealership. On the Focus forums I read, other people have spoken to this as well. [/COLOR]

If you're not going to read..

Interesting... I would have figured a supplement to the owner's manual (Which comes from Ford) would be on the Ford website.

Does it degrade parts faster? I would have figured if Ford gives the ok on a fuel blend, that car was engineered for it. But, what do I know? 3 mechanics have told me the 10% blend is fine for modern cars.

[KG4CGC]

Interesting... I would have figured a supplement to the owner's manual (Which comes from Ford) would be on the Ford website.

Does it degrade parts faster? I would have figured if Ford gives the ok on a fuel blend, that car was engineered for it. But, what do I know? 3 mechanics have told me the 10% blend is fine for modern cars.

Even a small amount of alcohol degrades metal and rubber parts. With rubber, the side exposed to alcohol will swell up and dissolve.

[W4GPL]

It could be related to the elevation, as it addresses the octane levels as well. It may not apply to all locations. I admit it doesn't say it anything about degrading parts.

With that said, I still stand by the fact I've seen these marginal ethanol blends degrade small engines -- Ryan is correct. The fact is, I pay $3.60 at the 7-11 with 10% ethanol and $3.65 at the Shell station for pure 100% gasoline. I'll pay the nickel for the piece of mind. And dozens upon dozens of Focus owners on another forum have reported increased performance and gas mileage avoiding 10% blends.

I have no doubt my car will run just fine on 10% ethanol, but I also would like to see the 5 year statistics on the degradation of the fuel injection system for people who stick to 100% gasoline vs those who don't. Just a hunch, my car will be better off.

[KC2UGV]

Even a small amount of alcohol degrades metal and rubber parts. With rubber, the side exposed to alcohol will swell up and dissolve.

Unless the rubber has been treated to tolerate that. Aircraft rubber parts are treated to resist the MEK we need to use to clean parts; and resist the acidity of Triple Nickel oils.

[KG4CGC]

Unless the rubber has been treated to tolerate that. Aircraft rubber parts are treated to resist the MEK we need to use to clean parts; and resist the acidity of Triple Nickel oils.

I'm not talking about an E85 car or one made after 2010 or aircraft or whatever. I'm only speaking to alcohol and the general deterioration experienced in most regular vehicles, bikes, small engines, etc etc yada caa caa.

[KC2UGV]

I'm not talking about an E85 car or one made after 2010 or aircraft or whatever. I'm only speaking to alcohol and the general deterioration experienced in most regular vehicles, bikes, small engines, etc etc yada caa caa.

After 2004 or so. When MBTE was banned in CA and NYS (And, then in 25 states later). Yes, in vehicles not designed to tolerate it, it will have issues.