Wheels

Š Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

April 30, 2015

Convertible weather is almost here!

Page B2 April 30, 2015 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

The skinny on E15

By Rudy Hemmann The Surveyor

E15 is fuel industry shorthand for gasoline which contains up to 15 percent ethanol. (This blend of ethanol and gasoline should not be confused with E85.) According to Popular Mechanics magazine, the reasons to use caution when filling with E15 are many if you happen to be driving a vehicle more than a few years old.

“Ethanol is corrosive to rubber and certain metals, so it can cause damage to vital components. Ethanol also attracts and bonds with water from the air and that water can separate out inside the tank due to phase separation. If your vehicle sits for long periods between each use, the moisture settles to the bottom of the tank and can potentially clog in-tank pumps and filters. Damage is also possible to fuel lines, injectors, seals, gaskets and valve seats as well as carburetors on older engines,” states an on-line Popular Mechanics article titled “Four Things You Should Know About E15” by Ben Wojdyle, published in February 2013.

The question is this: “Is it safe to use E15 in my vehicle?” However, there is controversy swirling around a straight “yes” or “no” answer.

The amount of ethanol blended into the gas most people use today is 10 percent. This blend, formally named E10 and popularly referred to as “gasohol,” has been widely available, especially in Midwestern states, since the mid-1970s.

According to Wikipedia, “E10, a fuel mixture of 10 percent anhydrous ethanol and 90 percent gasoline … can be used in the internal combustion engines of most modern automobiles and light-duty vehicles without need for any modification to the engine or fuel system.”

However, there are industry groups that believe E15 will cause problems. Vehicles of model year 2007 or newer should be compatible with the E15 blend due to auto manufacturers making changes to the engine and fuel-line components, according to the Popular Mechanics article by Wojdyle, which stated, “The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has certified vehicles in the U.S. fleet made in 2001 or newer, and all Flex Fuel-capable vehicles … as E15 compatible.”

Studies of premature engine component failure of vehicles using E15 are somewhat inconclusive. For every study finding no evidence of damage to engines or fuel systems, two or three others point to what, in the estimation of those conducting the study, is evidence of corrosive wear of engine components.

For example, a study conducted at Kettering University’s alternative fuels lab “found no remarkable degradation in fuel systems all the way back to 1995 model years,” states the Wojdyle article.

However, there are other studies which show E15 fuels can cause damage to engine components and fuel systems.

A Jan. 29, 2013, article by Jayne O’Donnell which appeared in USA Today, states “Gasoline that has 15 percent ethanol causes more damage to vehicles than previously known, a coalition of oil companies and automakers said.” Issues cited in the article include “fuel system component swelling, erratic fuel level indicators, faulty check-engine lights, damage to valves and valve seats of some models and failure of other parts that can lead to breakdowns, said Bob Greco, the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) downstream director.”

The API, along with another auto industry trade group, the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), stated the EPA “decision to allow E15 for 2001 and later vehicles premature because the CRC hadn’t completed its testing,” according to the O’Donnell article.

“A coalition of biofuels supporters, Fuels America, said more than 6.5 million miles of testing had been done … making E15 the most tested fuel, ever,” states the article.

Be that as it may, according to the website Hotair.com the automobile makers BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen – stated their warranties will not cover E15 claims, and eight others – GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo – said that use of E15 may void warranties for their vehicles.

Where does this leave the consumer? Here are some answers.

According to the Wojdyle article, vehicles of model year 2013 or newer should have no problems with E15. But if an E15-related problem arises, you will probably be pretty much on your own. If your vehicle is older than model year 2001 do not fill it with E15 gas unless certain that components are able to handle the new blend. For model years between 2001 and 2013 the best advice is to use caution when deciding whether to use E15 gas.

Even though E15 is coming to your local gas station, the E10 (or straight gasoline, if that is what you have been using) will still be available.

The Wojdyle article notes, “At gas stations that use blender pumps (a single spout that dispenses all octanes) you’ll have to purchase at least four gallons of E10 to ensure any E15 in the hose is diluted to safe levels in your fuel tank. Fuel pumps will be required to have a 4-inch-square label warning motorists not to use the fuel for uncertified engines. With that in mind, the best advice if you have an older (pre-2001) car is to stick to stations that have not switched over.”

The Wojdyle article strongly suggests if your intention is to purchase gasoline for any air-cooled engine (lawn mower, boat motor, jet-ski, snowmobile or four-wheeler), stick with E10 or straight gasoline. You are asking for trouble if you don’t. The components of small engines, their carburation and fuel handling systems, were not designed to run with E15 gas.

The PM article strongly suggests if your intention is to purchase gasoline for any aircooled engine (lawn mower, boat motor, jet ski, snowmobile or four-wheeler), stick with E10 or straight gasoline. You are asking for trouble if you don’t. The components of small engines, their carburation and fuel handling systems, were not designed to run with E15 gas.

Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

April 30, 2015 Page B3

What to look for in a teen’s first car Special to the Surveyor

Many parents contribute money toward the purchase of their teenagers’ first car. But even those who don’t help kids finance the purchase of their first vehicle may still want to offer some advice as their teens start to look for the car they will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives.

Different drivers need different things out of their vehicles, so a car that might be perfect for adults will not necessarily be the best fit for teen drivers without much experience traversing the nation’s roadways. The following are a few factors to consider when helping teens find their first car.

their belts. A mid-size sedan is big enough to protect teens and their passengers in the case of an accident, and such vehicles are small enough to handle easily.

Passenger capacity

Under the hood Few teens would not light up at the sight of a muscle car awaiting them in the driveway. But cars that accelerate quickly and those with substantial horsepower and high-performance engines may tempt teens to speed or spark the development of poor driving habits. Look for a vehicle with modest acceleration instead of an imported sports car that teens may be too immature and inexperienced to handle.

Wear and tear

Size Teenagers have little to no experience behind the wheel, so it’s best that they not drive cars that are especially small or large right away. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 are significantly overrepresented in fatal crashes. The NHTSA suggests such drivers’ immaturity and inexperience plays a significant role in that overrepresentation. So parents likely do not want their children in the smallest car possible, as such vehicles may not protect teens as adequately as slightly larger vehicles in the case of an accident. In addition, very large cars, such as pickup trucks or SUVs, can be difficult to control and are best suited to older drivers who already have years of driving experience under

to stay focused on the road with so many passengers in tow.

Another factor to consider when shopping for cars for teenagers is passenger capacity. The more seats there are in a car, the more friends teens can pack into their vehicles. Numerous teenagers in a car at once can prove distracting to the driver, and that distraction can pave the way for an auto accident.

Steer clear of minivans, SUVs or other vehicles that feature a third row of seats, as teens may be unable

Teens’ first cars are often preowned vehicles, and such cars may have significant wear and tear on some important safety features.

Wear and tear may not be a reason to avoid purchasing a preowned vehicle, but parents may want to replace the brake pads and tires on recently purchased preowned vehicles.

Brake pads in strong condition may prove the difference between avoiding an accident or getting into one. In addition, poorly inflated or worn down tires pose a safety risk to teens and their passengers. If such features seem to be worn down, replace them before letting teens hit the open road on their own.

Teens will remember their first cars for the rest of their lives. Parents can ensure those memories are positive by finding a car that teens can handle comfortably and operate safely.