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AAA MOTORIST
AAA cautions motorists about the risks of E15 Available only in a handful of locations — for now
A
recent survey by AAA finds a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval of E15 gasoline. More than 95 percent of the gasoline sold in the United States contains up to 10 percent ethanol. Despite objections by auto manufacturers, the EPA officially approved the sale of E15, which contains 15 percent ethanol, last June after receiving a waiver request from producers interested in expanding the use of corn-based ethanol. Currently, E15 is available only in the states of Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. If and when it does become more widely available, fuel pumps will be clearly marked with black and orange labels to differentiate E15 from more familiar formulations. Unsuspecting consumers using E15 could end up with engine problems that might not be covered by their vehicle’s warranty. Five manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen) are on record saying their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by the use of E15. Seven additional automakers (Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) have said that E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner’s manuals and may void warranty coverage.
MARCH 2013
AAA DIRECTORY AAA MEMBER SERVICES
Triptiking, Tourbooks, Maps, Address Change, AAA Plus
800-441-5008 membersvccntr@aaaec.com APPROVED AUTO REPAIR: 216-606-6332 aar@aaaec.com
AUTO BUYING SERVICE: 800-446-7433 BAIL BOND SERVICE: 216-606-6640, 216-606-6000 (After 5 p.m.) DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS: 216-606-6121 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE: Cuyahoga County: 216-606-6000, ers@aaaec.com Ashland, Ashtabula, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas: 800-AAA-HELP
INSURANCE AGENCY: 216-606-6194, 800-343-4851 insuranceservices@aaaec.com
IRA's: 888-728-3230 LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT: 216-606-6864 administration@aaaec.com
MOTORIST, Northeast Ohio Region: 216-606-6700
“It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. With less than five percent of cars on the road approved by automakers to use the fuel, AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected. AAA automotive engineering experts believe that sustained use of E15 could result in significant problems, such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage and false “check engine” lights for any
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vehicle not approved by its manufacturer to use E15. The only vehicles currently approved by automakers to use E15 are flex-fuel models, 2001 model-year and newer Porsches, 2012 model-year and newer GM vehicles and 2013 model-year Ford vehicles. The use of E15 is expressly prohibited in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers and off-road vehicles. “The sale and use of E15 should be suspended until consumer education efforts are implemented to mitigate problems for motorists and their vehicles,” said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central. “Consumers should read pump labels carefully and know their auto manufacturer’s recommendations to help prevent any E15 related problems.” AAA urges fuel producers and regulators to do a better job of educating consumers about potential dangers before selling E15 gasoline. This outreach should include a consumer education campaign and more effective pump labels, among other safeguards.
motorist@aaaec.com
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: 216-606-6194 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6702 PUBLIC RELATIONS: 216-606-6712 SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS: 216-606-6022 TRAFFIC LAWS & TRAFFIC SAFETY: 216-606-6022 TRAVEL AGENCY: 800-354-8761 www.AAA.com
Northeast Ohio AAA Offices ALLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/823-9820 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/821-2323 2322 South Union Ave., 44601 ASHLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-8133 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-2222 1074 Commerce Parkway, 44805 ASHTABULA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/997-5586 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/998-1008 2835 North Ridge Rd. East 44004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866/260-7322 INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6300 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6080 5700 Brecksville Rd. 44131 LAKE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/974-0990 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/205-9090 6980 Heisley Rd., Mentor 44060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-5253 LYNDHURST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0700 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0747 5356 Mayfield Rd. 44124 MAHONING COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-9083 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-0622 1275 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Boardman 44512 MASSILLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 1972 Wales Rd, 44646 MIDWAY MALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-2090 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-3423 1839 Midway Mall, Elyria 44035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-3929 NORWALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 275 Benedict Ave. Norwalk 44857. . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-8766
LOOK FOR THE LABEL — E15 fuel pumps will be marked with this label.
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DEC 31 2011
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New research released by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) last January, found that E15, gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, would damage millions of post-2001 model year vehicles. The CRC — which is supported by Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen —said testing showed E15 could cause erratic fuel-gauge readings and concluded that E15 would result in fuel system failures and cause checkengine alerts.
PORTAGE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 2641 Rte. 59, Ravenna 44266 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/999-0012 SOLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-9000 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-1808 34050 Solon Rd. 44139 STRONGSVILLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3395 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3396 17220 Royalton Rd. 44136, Borders Plaza TRUMBULL COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 937 Youngstown-Warren Rd., Niles 44446 . . . . . . 800/999-3391 TUSCARAWAS COUNTY TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 1112 Fourth St., New Philadelphia 44663 . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 WESTLAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3102 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3103 149 Market St., Crocker Park, Westlake 44145