AAA Warns Against E15 Gasoline Blend

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval of the E15 gasoline blend– a fuel mix of 85 percent gasoline and fifteen percent ethanol – is drawing fire from AAA. The motorist advocacy group warns that less than five percent of cars on the road today are approved by automakers to use E15.

Based on a survey AAA conducted with OEMs, only about twelve million out of the more than 240 million light-duty vehicles on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use E15 gasoline.

Yet, said AAA, EPA in June officially approved the sale of E15 after receiving a waiver request from producers interested in expanding the use of corn-based ethanol, despite objections by auto manufacturers.

AAA added that its automotive engineering experts have reviewed the available research and believe that sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage, and false "check engine" lights for any vehicle not approved by its manufacturer to use E15.

Unsuspecting consumers using E15 could end up with engine problems that might not be covered by their vehicles’ warranties.

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, while eight additional automakers – GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo – have stated that the use of E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner’s manuals and may void warranty coverage.

AAA noted that 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. These approvals extend only to cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs), AAA stressed, as the use of E15 is expressly prohibited in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers, and off-road vehicles.

Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen maintained that "E15 is a safe fuel, as evidenced by the fact auto manufacturers are now providing warranty coverage for it. AAA’s antipathy toward ethanol is well known and tired," he said. "But when put in contrast to gasoline quality issues AAA continues to ignore, one has to wonder whose interest they’re truly trying to protect, consumers or oil companies?"

For its part, EPA said that the agency "shares AAA’s concern over consumer awareness of the use of E15." The EPA’s website says several types of vehicles, including all motorcycles, and pre-2001 model cars and light-duty trucks shouldn’t use E15. The EPA also doesn’t require anyone to sell or market E15.

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