Which Cars Cannot Use Ethanol Gasoline?
2 Answers
Older vehicles and poorly maintained cars cannot use ethanol gasoline. Below is more relevant information: 1. Ethanol Gasoline: Ethanol gasoline has very high environmental requirements, is highly sensitive to water, and has a short shelf life. Therefore, the blending, storage, transportation, and sale of ethanol gasoline are much stricter than those of regular gasoline. Generally, small gas stations do not sell ethanol gasoline. Therefore, extra caution is needed when choosing ethanol gasoline, as improper use may cause significant issues for the vehicle. 2. Impact of Ethanol Gasoline on Vehicles: (1) Increased Fuel Consumption: Since ethanol has about 33% lower heat value than gasoline, ethanol gasoline has lower energy density compared to pure gasoline of the same volume. With the same fuel tank, ethanol gasoline results in higher fuel consumption. (2) Reduced Power Performance: Due to its lower heat value compared to pure gasoline and the fact that ethanol's evaporation temperature is higher than gasoline, ethanol gasoline vaporizes more slowly during combustion, affecting the formation of the air-fuel mixture and ultimately leading to decreased power output. (3) Cold Start Difficulties: Ethanol gasoline has a high latent heat of vaporization, absorbing more heat during vaporization. This process draws more heat from the surrounding environment, lowering the internal working temperature of the engine cylinders and making cold starts more challenging.
I have to say that ethanol-blended gasoline isn't suitable for all vehicles, especially older models which are particularly prone to issues. For example, cars manufactured before 1990 weren't designed with ethanol's corrosive properties in mind - using it can damage fuel lines and seals, leading to oil leaks or starting difficulties. Some motorcycles and high-performance sports cars also shouldn't use it because they're highly sensitive to fuel quality; higher ethanol content may cause increased carbon buildup or reduced performance. I once drove a vintage car from the 1980s - after a friend filled it with E10 gasoline, the engine started shaking violently, and the repair shop found clogged fuel lines. So I recommend owners first check their manuals for ethanol compatibility indicators, and if uncertain, have it tested at a professional repair shop. While ethanol gasoline is indeed more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, safety comes first - extra caution is needed when driving older vehicles.