It’s possible that the fuel tank contains ethanol or non-ethanol gas leftovers, even if you didn’t intend for it to. Alternately, you could refuel using the new type of gas and mix it in with the old fuel, leaving you to wonder if this was a safe course of action.
Although it’s not harmful to your car, you shouldn’t constantly mix ethanol and non-ethanol fuel. As they work well together, neither gas will damage the engine in your car.
What is Ethanol Gas?
The substance used to make regular alcohol, also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol, is ethanol. Through fermentation and distillation, ethanol is produced from the starch of cellulosic feedstocks, such as corn grain, sugar cane, or sugar cane stalks.
Ethanol fuel comes in E85 (flex power),E10, and E15. Any gasoline and ethanol blend up to 83% can be used with the E85 Flex fuel, which is the fuel used in flexible fuel vehicles. The proportion of ethanol is indicated by the number “E.” E10 denotes ethanol at 10%, and E15 at 15%.
The standard gasoline-ethanol blend, which is 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol, is compatible with many vehicles’ built-in engines. Regular gasoline’s ethanol content contributes to the fuel’s complete combustion as the engine runs. Ethanol oxygenates the gas during combustion, causing the fuel to burn completely and lowering air pollution.
Read More: Ways to Remove the Smell of Gasoline From Your Hands
What is Non-Ethanol Gas?
Non-ethanol gas, also known as clear gas, is a type of fuel that contains no ethanol, is solely derived from petroleum, and contains no renewable fuel additives. Because this fuel type doesn’t contain ethanol, it has a few benefits, such as better gas mileage, a lower risk of engine damage, and a shelf life of up to 6 months.
Most people use non-ethanol gas in outdoor power equipment like chainsaws, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers due to its long service life and lack of corrosion residue.
How is Ethanol Gas Different from Non-ethanol Gas?
10% ethanol is typically present in regular gasoline. Therefore, adding more ethanol accidentally won’t cause more damage. Alcoholic beverages also contain ethanol, a flammable liquid. Nowadays, people frequently add ethanol in various amounts to gasoline. Non-ethanol gas refers to fuels that do not contain ethanol.
Here are the major differences between ethanol and non-ethanol gas are:
- When ethanol is burned, less carbon is released into the atmosphere than when non-ethanol gas is used.
- Standard gasoline is less corrosive than ethanol gas.
- Ethanol has a shorter shelf life than regular gasoline (three months versus six months).
- The fuel efficiency of the car is improved by regular gasoline while it is decreased by ethanol gas. Data indicate that using ethanol can result in a 3% reduction in miles per gallon.
- Traditional gasoline is more expensive to produce than ethanol.
- While non-ethanol gas is produced from crude oil, ethanol is made from renewable resources like corn, sugar cane, barley, and wheat.
Is It Possible to Mix Ethanol With Non-ethanol Gas?
There are many different fuel choices available right now. Automobiles that run on a variety of fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), battery power, and even hydrogen, are available for purchase or rental. In a vehicle, you can mix ethanol and regular gas.
The engine of your car can safely run on either type of fuel. Many vehicles in use today use a combination of the two fuels. Utilizing the fuel your car was made to run on, however, will improve its performance the most.
Non-ethanol gas can be used in conjunction with ethanol without causing any problems because it is a blend of various hydrocarbons. The fuel made from a mixture of ethanol and gasoline is known as E85. In many cases, flex-fuel vehicles use E85 as their fuel source.
Compared to gasoline, flex-fuel vehicles have an advantage because they can run on fuels with a lower octane rating. The octane rating measures a fuel’s resistance to “knocking” or “pinging” during combustion.
When the air-fuel mixture explodes multiple times simultaneously in the cylinders, it makes a knocking sound. Some air/fuel mixtures have the potential to ignite prematurely. Small fireballs collide when they come into contact with one another.
What Happens If We Mix Ethanol and Non-ethanol Gas in Car?
Even though your car might function flawlessly when you fill your gas tank with a mixture of ethanol and non-ethanol, there are a few things you might notice over time. If you put ethanol and nonethanol gas in your car together, the following could happen.
Altered Gas Mileage
When you mix ethanol and nonethanol gas, one of the frequent side effects you’ll probably notice is changed gas mileage. For instance, switching from non-ethanol to ethanol gas may result in a 3% reduction in your car’s gas mileage.
The opposite is also true; your car will get better gas mileage if you switch from ethanol to non-ethanol fuel. Therefore, rather than alternating between different types of fuel, it is advised to stick with the one that gives your car the most satisfaction.
Fuel System Corrosion
The susceptibility of your car to corrosion is another issue you might encounter when switching from non-ethanol to ethanol gas. Alcohol is a component of ethanol gas, which can have a negative effect on a car’s fuel system and eventually cause corrosion.
Over time, fuel system corrosion can cause the fuel filter to become clogged and impair the system’s ability to function properly. Consequently, your car may face additional difficulties. So, if you’re asking, “Will my car run on non-ethanol fuel?” kindly consider the consequence of doing so.
Engine Damage
A vehicle’s long-term performance may suffer if you frequently change the fuel it runs on. The manufacturer’s advice, which is detailed in the owner’s manual for your car, should be followed.
Therefore, using a fuel type other than the one you should be using may work perfectly in the interim, but if things get out of control, your car’s engine and other components may sustain severe damage.
Meanwhile, if you’re wondering, “For older vehicles, is ethanol-free fuel preferable?” Yes, expert auto mechanics advise this for other cars.
Summary
Both gases have benefits and drawbacks, some of which are more worrisome than others, such as a shorter lifespan or a higher level of emissions. As a result, even though you technically could mix them, you shouldn’t.
For instance, using such a mixture while driving may result in system corrosion because ethanol-containing alcohol absorbs water, or it may directly harm the engine, the fuel system, or any other parts of the car.
So, unless you want to take a chance, try to stick to what the owner’s manual suggests and avoid purposefully mixing the two. By doing this, you can be sure that your car won’t get damaged and enjoy guarantees of excellent performance, fully functional parts, and general peace of mind.
FAQs
Can I Mix Ethanol Free Gas With Ethanol Gas?
You can put your mind at ease knowing that mixing ethanol and non-ethanol gasoline is completely safe and completely fine if you’re concerned about a bad chemical reaction happening in the fuel tank of your car.
Will Non-ethanol Gas Mess Up a Regular Car?
You probably don’t need to worry if you put ethanol-free gas in your car accidently or on purpose. Probably, this gas won’t harm automobiles. The engine and rubber parts of the fuel system are said by many to be better off with this gas.
Can You Mix Ethanol and Unleaded 91?
In contrast to diesel and gasoline, the engine or fuel system won’t be harmed by using E10, regular, or premium unleaded fuel.