What Are the Hazards of Ethanol Gasoline to Cars?
2 Answers
Ethanol is produced through the fermentation of various plant fibers, such as sorghum, corn, and sweet potatoes. The production process is not complex, and most importantly, it is a renewable resource. The following are the hazards of ethanol gasoline to cars: 1. When using ethanol gasoline, the power output may decrease compared to regular gasoline, and fuel consumption may increase. In high-temperature conditions during summer, vapor lock and engine stalling may occur. 2. During combustion, ethanol produces acetic acid, which has a certain corrosive effect on metals. However, as long as the ethanol content does not exceed 10%, this phenomenon will not occur. 3. Ethanol gasoline is easy to identify, usually marked with prominent labels. If there is an "E" before the gasoline octane number, it indicates ethanol gasoline. Ethanol gasoline is generally cheaper than regular gasoline. As for how to choose, it ultimately depends on the car owners' own needs.
I've been driving for over a decade and noticed that ethanol-blended gasoline has particularly severe effects on older vehicles. When using pure gasoline before, there were no issues, but after switching to ethanol-blended fuel, there's significantly more moisture accumulation in the fuel tank - especially during cold winter starts when the engine feels underpowered, and warm-up time increases. My mechanic explained that ethanol can corrode metal components, causing premature aging and cracking in parts like fuel pump seals and fuel lines. Long-term use may also lead to clogged fuel injectors, resulting in noticeably higher fuel consumption and less smooth acceleration. That's why I now exclusively use pure gasoline to avoid frequent trips to the repair shop.
