Why Do Brazilian Cars Run on Alcohol?

2 Answers
FernandoRose
07/23/25 11:34pm
Brazil is rich in sugarcane, and the residues left after sugar production can be fermented into alcohol, which is equivalent to waste recycling and also has low costs. Advantages: Ethanol has dissolving and cleaning functions, making the fuel system cleaner and reducing carbon deposits significantly compared to pure gasoline. Ethanol gasoline has better anti-knock properties, requires fewer anti-knock additives, and results in quieter engine operation. It offers better starting performance in winter. The combustion products have higher water content, leading to lower temperatures at high speeds and better power output. The exhaust emissions are also cleaner. Disadvantages: Lower heat value, which slightly reduces power and increases fuel consumption. In some older vehicles, long-standing deposits in the fuel system may loosen and clog the system when switching to ethanol gasoline. Ethanol is more prone to forming vapor locks in the fuel system under high temperatures. Some sealing components in older vehicles may be dissolved by ethanol.
Was this review help?
9
5
Share
SanRebecca
08/10/25 7:27pm
I've always thought it's pretty cool that cars in Brazil 'drink alcohol'—it actually means they run on ethanol fuel, since ethanol is derived from sugarcane, similar to alcohol. There are many reasons for this: in Brazil, sugarcane is grown extensively, making production high and costs low, so fueling cars with ethanol is cheaper and more economical than gasoline. From an environmental perspective, ethanol emits less CO2 when burned, making it more climate-friendly, which I think is a responsible choice. Additionally, the Brazilian government started promoting this back in the 1970s during the oil crisis to reduce reliance on imported oil. Nowadays, flex-fuel vehicles are very popular—they can use a mix of ethanol and gasoline, with the engine adjusting automatically. Driving one of these cars, I found the experience smooth, though occasional maintenance checks are needed to prevent corrosion. Overall, it saves fuel and supports local agriculture—a win-win. For daily use, ethanol prices are more stable, making it a reliable option.
Was this review help?
2
1
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What does the defogging symbol in a car look like?

The defogging switch symbol features a front windshield with three upward-waving lines. Below are some precautions for winter driving: 1. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System): Locked tires can cause loss of control on slippery roads. Always activate ABS to prevent tire lock-up and potential hazards. When ABS is engaged, you may feel a 'kickback' sensation when braking, which is normal. 2. Rearview Mirrors: If your car is parked outdoors during snowfall, snow may accumulate on the body. Many drivers only clear the front windshield before driving, neglecting the rear window, which can obstruct the rearview mirrors—a dangerous practice. Always clear snow from the entire car to ensure mirrors remain unobstructed. 3. ESP Function: Some vehicles come equipped with ESP (Electronic Stability Program), a stability control system that helps maintain vehicle stability and prevents skidding. If your car has ESP, remember to turn it on.
4
1
Share

What to Do If You Didn't Swipe Your ETC Card When Exiting the Highway?

If you didn't swipe your ETC card when exiting the highway, you can contact the bank, the toll station and highway company, or call the highway service hotline. Below are two situations regarding not swiping the ETC card when exiting the highway: 1. Not swiping the card: If the vehicle entered the highway via ETC but didn't swipe the card when exiting, the next time the vehicle enters the highway, the entry point will be the same as the previous exit point. If it's within the free time period, no charge will be applied. If it's within the charging time period, the fee will be calculated based on the distance from the point where the ETC card was swiped at the highway entry to the current entry point. 2. Unsuccessful swipe: If the ETC vehicle fails to swipe the card successfully when exiting the toll station but has already exited, meaning the ETC card wasn't successfully swiped, the vehicle won't be able to enter the highway via the ETC lane next time. This situation is easy to handle—just give the ETC card to the toll station staff to swipe it.
20
0
Share

How to Check for Clutch Failure?

Here are the methods to check for clutch failure: 1. Check if the driven plate can be turned easily. Remove the clutch bottom cover, shift the transmission into neutral, fully depress the clutch pedal, and then use a screwdriver to turn the driven plate. If it turns easily, the clutch disengages properly; if it doesn't turn, the clutch is not fully disengaged. 2. Check if the clutch pedal free play is too large and adjust it. 3. Check if the release lever heights are consistent and not too low. Under the vehicle, move the release fork so that the front end of the release bearing lightly touches the inner end of the release lever. Rotate the clutch one full turn to inspect. If the inner ends of the release levers do not simultaneously contact the release bearing, the release lever heights are inconsistent and should be adjusted. If the release lever heights are consistent but the clutch still doesn't fully disengage, check the lever height. Adjust all release levers to the same height. If the clutch then fully disengages, it indicates improper previous adjustment or excessive wear. After adjusting the release levers, the clutch pedal free play must be readjusted. 4. If the clutch still doesn't fully disengage after the above adjustments, remove the clutch and check if the driven plate is installed backward, if axial movement is difficult, if the main and driven plates are warped, if the release lever screws are loose, or if the floating pins are missing. 5. For clutches with newly riveted friction plates, check if the driven plate and friction plates are too thick. If they are, add shims between the clutch cover and flywheel. 6. For hydraulically operated clutches, in addition to the above checks, also check if the brake fluid is low, if there are any leaks in the pipes, and bleed the air from the hydraulic system.
5
0
Share

Is It a Problem If the Car's Undercarriage Gets Scraped?

You need to inspect the undercarriage. As long as there are no fluid leaks or deformation of mechanical parts, it should be fine. Generally, when cars leave the factory, the undercarriage undergoes protective treatments that can withstand certain impacts and handle minor scrapes and bumps without issues. If the scraping occurred at a low speed and the sound wasn't too loud, the problem is likely minor. Here are the benefits of undercoating: 1. Corrosion Protection: Rust on cars often starts at the underbody. Every time you wash the car, residual water can accumulate underneath, leading to potential corrosion over time. Undercoating forms a protective layer that prevents damage from acid rain, road salts, or alkaline wash water. 2. Stone Chip Protection: While driving, small stones can be kicked up by the tires. The impact force of these stones is proportional to your speed—for example, a 10-gram stone at 80 km/h can have an impact force 100 times its weight, enough to breach a 30-micron paint layer. Undercoating prevents such breaches, stopping rust from forming. 3. Vibration Damping: The engine and wheels are mounted on the undercarriage, and their vibrations can resonate with the chassis at certain frequencies, causing discomfort. Undercoating helps reduce this resonance. 4. Thermal Insulation: In winter, when the car's heater is on, warm air tends to sink, while cold air from the ground rises. Most of this heat exchange happens at the floor of the vehicle. Effective undercoating, with its quartz sand layer, isolates these temperature differences, improving energy efficiency. 5. Noise Reduction: On highways, tire noise increases with speed. A well-protected undercarriage significantly reduces interior noise. 6. Impact Protection: Undercoating materials can be 1.5 to 2.5 mm thick, providing a buffer against road protrusions that might otherwise damage the undercarriage.
11
0
Share

How to Shift from First Gear to Second Gear in a Car?

To shift from first gear to second gear in a car, the method is as follows: After a smooth start, lightly press the accelerator, then release the accelerator and depress the clutch. Shift into second gear, gently release the clutch, and lightly press the accelerator again. Generally, when starting a motor vehicle, it is necessary to use first gear, or when climbing a steep slope. After a normal start and reaching a speed of 5 to 10 kilometers per hour or more, you can shift into second gear during the gap between pressing and releasing the accelerator. A manual transmission (MT), also known as a manual gearbox, requires the driver to manually move the gear lever to change the gear meshing device inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed changes. An automatic transmission typically refers to a car's automatic gear-shifting mechanism, where the control system of the automatic transmission selects the appropriate gear based on the engine's speed and load while driving.
12
4
Share

What Are the Impacts of a Locked Driver's License?

A locked driver's license prohibits the holder from driving on the road. Otherwise, traffic police may impose fines, as a locked license is equivalent to an invalid one. The vehicle owner needs to bring their driver's license to the issuing vehicle management office (or the nearest traffic police station) and request assistance from the officer at the violation handling window to inquire about the reason for the "lock." After addressing the issue accordingly, the license can be "unlocked." Situations where the Traffic Management 12123 app shows a locked status include: 1. Initial license acquisition: If it's the first time obtaining a driver's license and the license hasn't been collected from the vehicle management office, registering and logging into the Traffic Management 12123 app to check the license status may show it as locked. This is normal and doesn't require any action. 2. Pending update: Sometimes, even after collecting the driver's license, it may still show as locked. This requires waiting for the Traffic Management 12123 platform data to update before it displays as normal. 3. Lock due to violations: (1) For Class A or B driver's licenses, if there are violation records within the scoring cycle and the license holder fails to attend the annual review after the cycle ends, the license may show as locked. Attending relevant training sessions is necessary to unlock it. (2) If there are unresolved violations or traffic accidents, the license may also show as locked. Paying all fines and receiving corresponding penalties is required before the license can be released from suspension. (3) During periods when the license is legally canceled, detained, or revoked, it may also be locked. The holder must wait until the penalty period ends and then complete the necessary procedures to unlock it. (4) If the holder has no violations and it's not their first time obtaining a license, but the license status shows as locked upon checking, they should promptly consult the vehicle management office staff. It's possible that someone else has fraudulently used their license.
18
3
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.