Can Ethanol Gasoline and Regular Gasoline Be Mixed?
2 Answers
Ethanol gasoline and regular gasoline can be mixed, but there are many precautions to consider when doing so. For vehicles with over 30,000 kilometers of mileage, if the fuel tank and fuel lines are not cleaned before the first use of ethanol gasoline, it may cause fuel line blockage and engine stalling. Ethanol gasoline is an alternative energy source made by blending fuel ethanol, processed from grains and various plant fibers, with regular gasoline in a certain proportion. As a renewable energy source, ethanol gasoline does not affect vehicle performance and can effectively reduce harmful emissions. Regular gasoline, also known as conventional gasoline, has varying octane ratings depending on the country, and it meets the needs of vehicles with engine compression ratios between 8.1 and 8.5.
As an ordinary person who drives frequently, I think it's feasible to mix alcohol-blended gasoline with regular gasoline in most modern cars. My new car's manual says it's compatible with E10 ethanol gasoline, and I occasionally mix them without any issues. Alcohol-blended gasoline contains ethanol, which allows for more complete combustion and reduces emissions a bit, but mixing may slightly increase fuel consumption, and the power delivery sometimes isn't as smooth as with pure gasoline. However, you need to be careful with older cars—my friend's twenty-year-old car started running rough after mixing, and inspection revealed slight corrosion in the fuel system. Long-term mixing isn't recommended, as it can accelerate part wear and increase maintenance costs. For safety, it's best to check the vehicle's manual or consult a mechanic before mixing. Overall, mixing a small amount in an emergency is fine, but don't make it a habit—keeping the ratio stable is the safest approach.
