Anybody have E-15 Ethanol concerns?

[Capt W]

With the EPA's recent ruling to allow the extra alcohol-diluted E-15 gasoline, does anybody share potential concerns for their older cars? It's ostensibly OK for newer cars, but what about those 80s and 90s vehicles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, etc.? Hoping the basic E-10 remains available.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Yes, for my motorcycles, jet ski and lawn equipment too

 

[Boomer]

There are lots of cautions on using this in older cars (pre 2001 if I remember correctly). Also warnings on not using it in lawn equipment or small engines.

E-10 should always be available. The EPA is giving a blessing on ALSO making E-15 allowable. Here in central PA we have lots of Sheetz gas stations and many of them have been selling E-15 for a few years. Here it sells for about $0.40-0.50/gallon less than E-10.

 

[Capt W]

So it's simply the "Unleaded 88" product that's been available (as a choice) up north for many years. I was concerned the E-15 might replace all the E-10...at least for a while, because I haven't read or heard differently.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I work for a Honda dealership part time and they DO NOT want you to use 15% in any of the Honda's. According to the lot manager he claims there have been numerous problems arising from running any more than 10%. It's something to do with the fuel system and I do not know what else it compromises maybe the converter but not sure.

 

[K-Man]

The rule simply allows E15 to be sold year-round when before it could not be sold during the summer months due to volatility. It does not replace E10.

The scaremongering over this is ridiculous. A number of people seem to think that E10 pumps will suddenly become E15 pumps without changing the pump labeling. That's what all the fuss has been about, and selling E15 as E10 would violate federal and state labeling laws on fuel pumps.

 

[SC Maintenance]

So it's simply the "Unleaded 88" product that's been available (as a choice) up north for many years. I was concerned the E-15 might replace all the E-10...at least for a while, because I haven't read or heard differently.

I wish I had taken a picture but a station in GA I stopped at had recovered every pump with E15 stickers. So I assume every station in the area was, sticker or not, since they all pull from the same depot likely.

Were not talking 88 octane here - were talking all blends.

 

[Capt W]

I've read E-15 burns significantly leaner, raising exhaust temps, which can damage or even destroy catalytic converters.

If it's a choice, great. K-man is correct with regard to scaremongering. The reporting has been very poor, however. Not very clear at all. Not a labeling issue, per se, but a choice issue.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I've read E-15 burns significantly leaner, raising exhaust temps, which can damage or even destroy catalytic converters.

If it's a choice, great. K-man is correct with regard to scaremongering. The reporting has been very poor, however. Not very clear at all. Not a labeling issue, per se, but a choice issue.

I have read people here pointing out that they would run a half of tank of E-85 (85% ethanol) prior to taking an emissions test, to get a hoopty to pass that may otherwise not have. So I think your correct.

I doubt 5% extra really matters that much, but I am unhappy about it also.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

No get my gas at Cenex no ethanol!

 

[Capt W]

No get my gas at Cenex no ethanol!

We have a few local stations that sell alcohol-free gas, but it's literally an extra $1.25 per gallon. No, thanks.

 

[SC Maintenance]

No get my gas at Cenex no ethanol!

How much extra is the no ethanol brew?

 

[Astro14]

There is absolutely no way I will put E15 in any car that specifically prohibits its use, for example, the S600 and the SL600.

No problem putting it in the flex-fuel Tundra.

 

[SC Maintenance]

There is absolutely no way I will put E15 in any car that specifically prohibits its use, for example, the S600 and the SL600.

No problem putting it in the flex-fuel Tundra.

I believe that is probably smart, however given its done at the depot what will you do if it all goes that way? Seek out much more expensive E0?

 

[Zee09]

I think @walterjay had some issues with it

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

I have read people here pointing out that they would run a half of tank of E-85 (85% ethanol) prior to taking an emissions test, to get a hoopty to pass that may otherwise not have. So I think your correct.

I doubt 5% extra really matters that much, but I am unhappy about it also.

I agree. In the short term, prob no issues.
But long term use might cause issues I dont want to risk dealing with.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

How much extra is the no ethanol brew?

About .60 more than Costco.

 

[Capt W]

Well at least for Texas, this story is a giant nothing-burger. Our stellar national and local media...in addition to countless YouTube boobs, are apparently making something out of nothing.

I finally decided to do a little research on the issue after being bombarded with horror stories. This is why I asked the question in the first place.

According to the Texas Farm Bureau, this is the fifth consecutive year for the E-15 waiver:

"This is the fifth straight year of E15 waivers...The Biden administration approved waivers from 2022 through 2024, and the current administration continued the practice in 2025 and now 2026."

https://texasfarmbureau.org/epa-announces-emergency-waiver-for-summer-e15-fuel-sales/

Gotta tell you this never seemed to make the news in past years. Don't know why it suddenly became an issue.

I'll be moving along now.

 

[dogememe]

I don't care for ethanol in terms of the whole industry and how it affects farmers and stuff but I have minimal concern about having it in my vehicle. It's been present in California for many years and except for maybe lawn mowers that sit a lot it's mainly a non-issue for cars that are driven at least occasionally.

 

[Capt W]

I don't care for ethanol in terms of the whole industry and how it affects farmers and stuff but I have minimal concern about having it in my vehicle. It's been present in California for many years and except for maybe lawn mowers that sit a lot it's mainly a non-issue for cars that are driven at least occasionally.

I agree with you with regard to E-10. Cars have been engineered to use that concentration for decades without issue. I think the (false) alarm was for all the talk of the higher-concentration E-15, which may not play well with a lot of cars (and small engines).