Can Ethanol Gasoline Be Mixed with Regular Gasoline?
2 Answers
Ethanol gasoline can be mixed with regular gasoline. More information about mixing ethanol gasoline and regular gasoline is as follows: 1. Occasional mixing is acceptable, but for vehicles with over 30,000 kilometers, a thorough cleaning of the fuel tank and fuel system is required before first using ethanol gasoline. 2. Ethanol gasoline contains 10% anhydrous alcohol, which can dissolve impurities adhered to the fuel tank by regular gasoline, potentially causing clogging of the fuel injectors. 3. Both ethanol and regular gasoline are volatile flammable liquids of the alkane class, and they do not undergo chemical changes such as denaturation or gum formation when mixed. The only differences are slight variations in heat value and ignition temperature.
As an experienced everyday driver, I've found that mixing ethanol-blended gasoline with regular gasoline is feasible, especially in modern vehicles. I drive a 2015 sedan, and once when the tank had half a tank of regular gasoline left, I added ethanol-blended gasoline. The car started and ran normally without any issues. However, I must remind you that if your car is older, such as a model from the 1990s, the engine might not be compatible with ethanol. Mixing fuels could lead to fuel system corrosion or performance degradation. It's best to check your vehicle's manual for its ethanol tolerance; common ethanol-blended gasoline like E10 contains 10% ethanol, which most newer cars can handle. But be aware that prolonged mixing may increase the risk of moisture absorption, especially in humid seasons, affecting fuel efficiency. I recommend occasionally performing a fuel system cleaning to prevent problems and avoid major issues from minor neglect.
