One study conducted at Kettering University found no remarkable degradation in fuel systems all the way back to 1995 model years. fleet made in 2001 or newer, and all Flex Fuel–capable vehicles (able to use up to an 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline mix) as E15 compatible.
The EPA has certified vehicles in the U.S. All cars 2007 and newer should be compatible with E15 because automakers have changed the formulation of the affected components. The gas you use regularly is often 10 percent ethanol, but some industry groups believe the higher concentration of E15 will cause problems. This is a tricky question and the subject of a lot of hand-wringing right now. Damage is also possible in fuel lines, injectors, seals, gaskets, and valve seats as well as carburetors on older engines. If your vehicle sits for long periods between use, the moisture settles to the bottom of the tank and can potentially clog in-tank pumps and filters. Ethanol also attracts and bonds with water from the air, and that water can separate out inside the tank due to phase separation. The reason it’s a big deal on social media is that ethanol is fairly corrosive to rubber and certain metals, so it can cause damage to vital components.
But earlier this year, President Biden allowed for more E15 to be sold during the summer to provide a cheaper fuel source (E15 sells for about 10 cents a gallon less than E10)-also noting it will not cause immense harm to the environment.
This type of E15 gas is often cheaper, but it’s limited during the summer travel season because of its environmental effect.īut E15 got more attention in 2022 when gas prices rose because of Ukraine’s war with Russia. E15 is shorthand for gasoline (Unleaded 88) blended with 15 percent ethanol.