2.5L Hybrid Engine - 20% Ethanol Experiment

[DevoMcDev0]

Weird that you are comparing small non electronically controlled carbureted engines to modern electronically controlled fuel injected automobile engines. Yes. I think most people would agree that is "weird".

Please ignore me now, and please, don't drag me into your drama.

Bottom line, alcohol in your gas, isn't good.

My opinion, thank you, have a good day, and don't feel a need to reply.

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[yamahaSHO]

I don't like gas in my alcohol, but...

 

[TedTX]

Wish we could run E85. Past Trucks did. Like the cleaner smell. But idling a hybrid doesn't run engine most of the time.

 

[dochawk]

I don't like gas in my alcohol, but...

That's ok; I don't like the way alcohol gives Bubba gas . . .

 

[TonyS]

.....The threat of Ford voiding warranty is kind of moot as whe knows what the station is selling out of it's tanks. Besides you hear of no warranty violations of all the guys installing lift kits and new full flow mufflers on their new mavericks

I'm old as well so recall the original "why" of adding ethanol to gas. It was to reduce oil imports. Replace a portion of our oil imports with something domestically produced. But since 2019 America has been a net energy producer. The original reason has gotten kinda lost. Now it's just something we are used to as far as 10% or so of gasoline being ethanol.

It seems likely that 10% isn't a hard limit just like you can probably tow something over 2000 lbs. But I and probably most people will just stay within the factory guidance. At least until the warranty has expired.

I do want to call attention to the last part of the above quoted post. Consumers are under the law ( The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) allowed to modify their vehicles - including with after market parts. The burden of proof is on the manufacturer that consumer modifications caused the failure if denying warranty repairs.

Using unrecommended fuel is not a modification to the vehicle. Anymore than saying using unrecommended engine oil or brake fluid.

Otherwise I don't have strong opinions one way or another on ethanol blended fuel. In this area, pure gas is only available at a few stations and I don't believe any gas station sells blends with more than 10% ethanol. Infrequently used gas powered stuff I own gets a shot of STA-BIL, which is a good idea no matter if the gas has ethanol or not.

 

[The Real Maverick]

New vehicles, including the Maverick are "allowed" to use 15% ethanol. It's in the manual. A copy was posted above.

But, I'm under the impression most fuel SOLD is 10%.

Not only to reduce demand for oil, but as an oxygenate, it reduces harmful tailpipe emissions.

 

[Master Blaster]

Using unrecommended fuel is not a modification to the vehicle. Anymore than saying using unrecommended engine oil or brake fluid.

Its not illegal, its just not going to be something that keeps the vehicle within spec. Most of the not-recommended gasolines either do not have sufficient detergent added to prevent intake valve carbon buildup, or have so much alcohol in them that the fuel injectors and the fuel pumps will not survive for long. Using your line of reasoning, you're saying that if I use non-recommended fuel and the the intake valves carbon up as a result, that it should somehow be covered under warranty.

 

[TonyS]

Its not illegal, its just not going to be something that keeps the vehicle within spec. Most of the not-recommended gasolines either do not have sufficient detergent added to prevent intake valve carbon buildup, or have so much alcohol in them that the fuel injectors and the fuel pumps will not survive for long. Using your line of reasoning, you're saying that if I use non-recommended fuel and the the intake valves carbon up as a result, that it should somehow be covered under warranty.

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying the opposite. Consumers can make modifications to their vehicles - say things like after market exhaust, different stereo, after market cruise control (missing on 2022 XL) - and the vehicle warranty should be unaffected. Under the Magnuson-Moss warranty law, the burden of proof is on the manufacturer that the modification caused the failure of a warranted part.

Using gas that that Ford says should not be used - more than 15% ethanol - is NOT a modification to the vehicle. Run 30% ethanol gas and have a need for repairs to fuel delivery / engine/exhaust/emission control systems and Ford may well easily be able to deny making those repairs under warranty. Mag-Mos does not apply.

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