Can Cars Use Methanol Gasoline?

[Alexia]

Gasoline vehicles can only use methanol under one condition: the car must be a dedicated methanol vehicle designed to use methanol as fuel. This is because methanol vehicles are equipped with specialized engines and devices that allow for the safe use of methanol. Other vehicles should not use methanol. Hazards of Methanol Gasoline to Vehicles: Methanol typically contains acidic substances during production, and its inherent hygroscopic nature means it retains small amounts of water during storage. Additionally, oxidation by air or bacterial fermentation can produce small quantities of organic acids. Furthermore, the formaldehyde and formic acid generated after methanol combustion can cause severe corrosion and wear to the engine. Research by Ford Motor Company in the U.S. found that using methanol gasoline increases the iron content in engine lubricating oil by 5.2 times compared to unleaded gasoline. The primary wear and corrosion occur on piston rings and cylinder walls, mainly due to the erosion of metal surfaces by methanol and its combustion byproducts, such as formic acid, formed through intermediate free radical reactions. Additionally, methanol's high latent heat of evaporation can lead to poor vaporization, causing it to flow into cylinder walls, wash away the lubricating oil film, dilute the oil, and result in severe emulsification, leading to friction wear on engine components.