The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 282
Early in my career, I, with two friends opened a auto service business, specializing in performance upgrades. We sponsored two of our customers' drag cars
and, on occasion, I would accompany them to the track as part of the pit crew,
We were very successful on the local tracks.
A later career change led me into the heavy industrial construction business,
working for one of the USA's largest construction companies. I still maintained
my love of the automobile and competed in local events when time permitted.
Now, to the details. I wrote that non flex fuel cars could not run on E85 without
extensive (and expensive) modifications. First, here is, verbatim, from the owner's manual of my 2014 auto:
"Use only unleaded fuel or unleaded fuel blended with a maximum of 15% ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel fuel, fuel-methanol, leaded fuel, or
any other fuel because it could damage or impair the emission control system."
"Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause powetrain damage
a loss of vehicle performance; repairs are not covered under warranty."
I also own a modified, high performance muscle car and discussed the use of
E85 with my engine tuner. He told me that to correctly convert would not be
possible without loosing my emissions certification and that it would not pass
state tests. "Race track only", he said. Even converting a race car to E85 requires different injectors, fuel lines and computer re-tune. So, when I wrote: "so
who pays for this?", the feds sure won't. The cost must be borne by the owner.
Even then, there is no benefit of extra mileage.
My comment concerning over the road trucks was because I understood your
intentions was to replace America's petroleum based fuels with E85. You clarified that with reference to bio-diesel. However, bio-diesel is still not widely available across the country.
You also stated that another alternative to diesel fuel was CNG and that the
conversion costs about $10,000. Wrong. Ford offers a gasoline/CNG conversation option on the F150 for $350. Buyer only has to add a tank and related hook
up items.
When you stated, " that many 'auto mechanics' (small and large engine mechanics) know as little about ethanol as you; and like you, they have all believed
all the bad propaganda spread by the petroleum industry." Here is what is in
the owner's manual of my 2016 Kohler powered lawn mower:
