Ethanol gas and non-ethanol gas are two very different substances. So can you mix ethanol and non ethanol gas in your car?
It is not recommended to mix ethanol and ethanol free gas as it can have adverse effects on the engine and fuel system. However, in a pinch, you can blend both ethanol and ethanol free gas in your vehicle.
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Ethanol vs. Non Ethanol gas
Ethanol and non-ethanol gas are simply different types of fuel that can be used in vehicles. However, there is a great contemplation about whether you can substitute one for the other.
Therefore, it is important to find out what ethanol and nonethanol gas are and why they are different.
What Is Ethanol Gas?
Ethanol gas is a fuel type manufactured from corn and a couple of other plant materials. It is a renewable type of fuel, and it has a wide range of use, especially across the United States.
Most regular gasoline partly consists of about a 10% ethanol blend with 90% gasoline. The ethanol content in regular gasoline helps to ensure complete combustion of the fuel as the engine runs.
The complete burning of fuel happens as the ethanol oxygenates the gas in the combustion process.
Most equipment owners use ethanol gas in machines like lawnmowers, chainsaws, trimmers, etc. However, it has not delivered the best results they desire due to its tendency to weaken or damage the equipment faster.
What Is Non-Ethanol Gas?
Conversely, nonethanol gas is a fuel type without ethanol as part of its ingredients. Hence, it is fondly referred to as pure oil. This is pretty different from regular gasoline, which contains around 10% ethanol.
Due to the absence of ethanol in this fuel type, it offers a couple of advantages, including improved gas mileage, reduced harm to vehicles’ engines, and a shelf life of up to 6 months.
Besides its use in vehicles, non-ethanol gas is best for outdoor equipment like a lawnmower, trimmers, chainsaws, etc.
What’s A Differences Between Non-Ethanol And Ethanol Gas?
Although a brief highlight of both ethanol and nonethanol gas has been unveiled above, the table below clearly states their core differences.
| Non-Ethanol Gas | Ethanol Gas |
| Non-ethanol gas produces more emissions than regular gasoline. | Ethanol gas does not give off emissions as much as non-ethanol gas. |
| Non-ethanol gas does not cause corrosion in a car’s fuel system. | The presence of alcohol in ethanol gas causes corrosion within a car’s fuel system. |
| Higher durability (6 months shelf life). | Relatively lesser durability (3 months shelf life). |
| Helps to boost gas mileage. | Reduces gas mileage by about 3%. |
| Relatively more expensive due to high production and transportation costs. | Ethanol gas is relatively inexpensive compared to non-ethanol gas as no extra transportation is required after production. |
Why Is Ethanol Mixed With Gas?
Ethanol-blended gas improves the stability of pure gasoline by increasing its octane number. The lowest octane rating for fuel is 87, and non-ethanol gas has difficulty achieving this rating.
Adding ethanol raises the octane rating of the resulting fuel blend. It also prevents knocking, the uneven combustion of gasoline that makes a distinctly loud sound and can damage the engine.
Furthermore, ethanol improves the oxygen content of gasoline. More oxygen increases the engine’s efficiency at burning the air-fuel mixture. Ethanol also lowers your vehicle’s emissions by reducing unburned and incompletely burned gas.
There are several ethanol gas blends available. E10 is the most common blend and has an ethanol content of 10%. If you accidentally put ethanol-blended gas in your car, it’s likely E10, which minimizes risk to your engine.
Another available blend is E15, which has an ethanol content ranging from 10.5% to 15%. It’s compatible with light-duty vehicles made in 2001 and above. Newer flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) can also burn E15 fuel.
Then there’s the E85 ethanol gas blend. Also called flexible fuel or flex fuel, it can contain up to 83% ethanol.
Most gas cars can’t run properly on E85 because it generates less energy than lighter ethanol-blended fuels. FFVs are the only ones that can safely use this type of fuel.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Ethanol Fuel?
Do you know that 10 percent of every gallon of gasoline your car uses is ethanol (E10), and that percentage could rise to 15 percent (E15) currently?
A statistic in the US shows that, of the total 550 billion liters of fuel consumed by motor vehicles in 2016, more than 53 billion liters were ethanol alcohol (equivalent to about 10%).
It can be seen that ethanol is an important fuel in the future and we can’t deny some obvious advantages of using ethanol fuel like (E5, E10, or E15).
As we all know, ethanol has an octane (RON) as high as 108 – 109. So when it is mixed with gasoline, it increases the octane in the fuel.
In addition, the composition of ethanol includes oxygen, which will help to burn fuel inside the engine more completely, which helps to reduce fuel consumption and minimize the emission of harmful substances (HC or CO) during engine operation.
Ethanol gasoline, also known as biofuel, is easy to imagine as an environmentally friendly fuel that helps protect the environment. In fact, the biggest significance of biofuel is that it helps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels as well as reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Many people call ethanol a renewable energy source because new plants can be grown to supplement the materials needed to create it.
In contrast, fossil fuels are considered a nonrenewable resource because they take millions of years to produce. So is ethanol gasoline a good choice for the health of your car’s engine? Let’s move to the next part!
Can you mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in the car?
Unlike standard gasoline, ethanol is a type of alcohol that has proven to be a very promising fuel alternative source.
When it was first introduced to the market, ethanol was primarily used by flex-fuel vehicles that could be powered by various types of fuel, including regular gasoline.
There are a lot of perks to using ethanol fuel instead of gasoline, given that it’s better for the environment and can potentially improve your mile-per-gallon rating.
Most modern cars today can safely use E15 ethanol, and you can mix it with non-ethanol gas without any immediate damaging effects.
With that said, you must confirm whether ethanol is safe to use in your specific make and model vehicle. Older cars may not be compatible with ethanol fuel, and you should always double-check which gas you should be using before you fill up at the pump.
So long as you are driving a modern car, mixing ethanol and non-ethanol gas occasionally in your tank should not have any serious consequences.
As a general rule of thumb, if you need to get gas and you are by an ethanol fueling station, you should be good to fill your tank.
What Happens if we mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in car?
Mixing ethanol and ethanol free gasses can potentially harm a vehicle in a number of ways.
#1. Cold weather performance.
Ethanol can also cause problems in cold weather, as it has a higher vapor pressure than gasoline, which can lead to vapor lock and other fuel system issues in cold temperatures.
#2. Fuel delivery system damage.
Ethanol can cause damage to certain types of fuel system components such as fuel tank material, rubber seals, fuel lines, and gaskets.
If a vehicle is designed to use non-ethanol gas and it is regularly filled with ethanol blend, the ethanol can cause components in the car’s fuel delivery system to deteriorate. This can affect the car’s fuel system negatively and cause fuel system corrosion.
#3. Engine damage.
Ethanol has a lower energy content than gasoline when put in internal combustion engines. Ethanol gasoline blends may result in reduced fuel efficiency and lower power output.
In addition, ethanol has different combustion characteristics than gasoline. This different combustion can lead to a clogged fuel filter and engine deposits.
#4. Water absorption.
Ethanol has the ability to absorb water from the atmosphere, which can lead to the formation of corrosive acids and other contaminants in the fuel system. This can cause rust and corrosion in fuel system components, leading to leaks and other problems.
What to Consider Before Mixing Fuels?
#1. Check Your Car’s Manual.
Before you mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas, the first thing to do is check your car’s manual. The manual will tell you what type of fuel is best for your car. Some cars are made to use gas with ethanol in it, while others might not be.
If your car’s manual says it’s okay to use ethanol, then mixing a bit of ethanol gas with non-ethanol gas shouldn’t be a problem. But if your manual advises against ethanol, you should avoid mixing it.
#2. Know Your Car’s Engine.
The type of engine your car has also matters. Modern cars are usually built to handle ethanol gas. They can deal with the alcohol in the fuel without any issues. But if you have an older car, it might not be designed for ethanol.
In this case, mixing ethanol with non-ethanol gas could cause problems. Older engines might not work well with ethanol and could suffer from issues like clogged fuel lines or decreased performance.
#3. Consider the Amount of Ethanol.
How much ethanol you mix with non-ethanol gas can make a difference. If you only mix a small amount, your car might handle it fine. However, mixing a large amount of ethanol could cause problems.
Ethanol can change how your engine performs, possibly making it less efficient or even causing damage over time. If you’re not sure how much ethanol is in the gas, it’s safer to avoid mixing a lot of it.
#4. Think About Fuel System Maintenance.
Mixing different types of fuel can affect your car’s fuel system. Ethanol attracts moisture, which might lead to rust or other issues in your fuel system.
If you mix ethanol with non-ethanol gas frequently, it can make it harder to keep track of how much ethanol is in your tank.
Regular maintenance is important to keep your fuel system in good shape. If you notice any problems like strange noises or poor performance after mixing fuels, it’s a good idea to have your car checked by a mechanic.
#5. Follow Manufacturer Recommendations.
Always follow the recommendations from your car’s manufacturer. They know what’s best for your vehicle and can provide guidance on the type of fuel to use.
Using the right fuel helps keep your car running smoothly and avoids potential problems. If you have any doubts or questions, consulting with a mechanic can also help you make the best choice for your car.
FAQs.
Q: Is it Safe to Use Ethanol in Older Cars?
Ethanol can sometimes cause issues in older cars because their engines may not be designed to handle it. It’s best to check your car’s manual or ask a mechanic before using ethanol fuel.
Q: Can I Use Non-Ethanol Gas in a New Car?
Yes, you can use non-ethanol gas in a new car, but it’s important to make sure it’s compatible with your car’s engine. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended fuel type.
Q: Do I Need to Change My Fuel Filter More Often with Ethanol Gas?
Ethanol can be more corrosive and may cause the fuel filter to clog faster. If you use ethanol gas regularly, you might need to change your fuel filter more often. Refer to your car’s manual for specific recommendations.
Q: Is it Okay to Mix Different Brands of Gas?
Mixing different brands of gas is generally fine. All gasoline is regulated to meet certain standards, so mixing brands should not cause problems. However, sticking to one brand can sometimes ensure consistent fuel quality.
Q: Can Using Low-Quality Gas Affect My Car’s Performance?
Yes, using low-quality gas can affect your car’s performance. It might lead to poor fuel efficiency, rough idling, or knocking sounds. Always use good quality gas to keep your engine running smoothly.
Q: Do I Need to Use Fuel Additives Regularly?
Fuel additives can help clean the fuel system and improve performance, but you don’t need to use them all the time. Follow your car manufacturer’s advice on when and if you should use additives.
Q: Is it Necessary to Warm Up My Car Before Driving?
Modern cars don’t need to be warmed up for long periods. A short warm-up is usually enough, especially in cold weather, to allow the engine to reach a stable temperature.
Q: Can Ethanol Gas Damage My Fuel Pump?
Ethanol can be more corrosive than non-ethanol gas, but most modern fuel pumps are designed to handle it. If you have an older car, check with a mechanic to see if ethanol might affect your fuel pump.
Q: Do I Need to Remove Old Fuel from My Tank Before Adding New Fuel?
If your fuel is very old or contaminated, it might be a good idea to remove it before adding new fuel. However, if it’s just a little old, topping it off with fresh fuel usually works fine.
Q: Is it Bad to Let My Car Sit Without Driving for a Long Time?
Yes, letting your car sit without driving for a long time can cause problems like stale fuel and battery issues. If you won’t be using your car for an extended period, try to start it occasionally or use a fuel stabilizer.
Final Words
Understanding ethanol vs. nonethanol gas will help you overcome the assumptions around switching both fuel types. This article has discussed the compatibility of these two fuel types.
However, if you’re contemplating, “Can you mix ethanol and non-ethanol gas in car?” consider the side effects of doing so, especially in the long run. Once you settle in this area, you can make an expert decision.