The Impact of Using Ethanol-blended Gasoline on Vehicles
2 Answers
The impact of using ethanol-blended gasoline on vehicles is as follows: 1. Ethanol-blended gasoline has a higher heat of vaporization. The heat of vaporization of ethanol-blended gasoline is approximately more than twice that of regular gasoline. This means that when vaporized ethanol-blended gasoline enters the cylinder and evaporates, it absorbs more heat energy than regular gasoline, leading to relatively difficult starts for vehicles using ethanol-blended gasoline in extremely cold weather. This results in issues such as relatively difficult starts and prolonged warm-up times in frigid conditions. 2. Ethanol combustion produces acetic acid, which has certain corrosive properties. While ethanol combustion produces water and carbon dioxide, which are relatively environmentally friendly, it also generates acetic acid. This acid has a certain corrosive effect on the metal parts of the vehicle, especially copper, as well as rubber components. This corrosion becomes more pronounced when the ethanol content in the gasoline exceeds 15%. 3. Ethanol-blended gasoline is prone to deterioration. If ethanol-blended gasoline is left unused for an extended period, it can undergo phase separation, which is clearly detrimental to the car engine. Over time, this can be fatal to the engine.
Having driven for decades, my experience tells me that ethanol-blended gasoline poses some challenges for older vehicles. Its strong hygroscopic nature tends to cause internal rusting in fuel tanks, especially in pre-1990s models. The fuel economy is also inferior to pure gasoline – you'll notice faster consumption and reduced power output. Additionally, ethanol may corrode rubber fuel lines and injectors, leading to fuel pump or filter failures. My neighbor's vintage Jeep had to undergo costly repairs for this very reason. However, for modern vehicles designed with E10 compatibility from the factory, these issues are significantly mitigated. I recommend owners regularly inspect their fuel systems, avoid cheap low-quality fuels, and refrain from long-distance driving to prevent sudden engine failure. For safety's sake, it's better to use higher-octane gasoline.
