#1621

Federal-Mogul Document #1621

E85 FUEL INFORMATION

“As concerns about rising gasoline prices and dependence on foreign oil increase, Ameri-
cans are looking for alternative fuels like ethanol. Ethanol is better for the environment, is
domestically produced, and its use supports farmers and rural communities. Ethanol is pro-
duced mainly from corn grown in the Midwest. One bushel of corn (approximately 56 pounds)
produces 2.7 gallons of ethanol. Ethanol can also be produced from cheese whey, spilled
beer and dated soda. Because ethanol can be produced from crops, it is classified as a
renewable fuel. By switching to ethanol fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, vehicle
owners are achieving both energy security and cleaner air.”

This creates problems for vehicles without the advanced vehicle technology if someone
tries to use fuel with levels of ethanol higher than 10%. The fuel systems problems seen in
the automotive aftermarket today are created by some misguided efforts to save a buck at the
gas pump, and are actually costing the users more than they know.

Let’s look at some of the facts from the United States of America’s own Department of Energy
Handbook for Handling, Storing, and Dispensing E85. The following facts are excerpts from this
DOE handbook.

There are two basic types of ethanol fuels in use today: E10* and E85*.

“By definition the E10 fuel is a small amount of ethanol (10% by volume) added to the gaso-
line we put in our vehicles in order to fulfill federal oxygenate requirements, add octane, and
greatly extend the petroleum fuel supply. E10 is a widely available vehicle fuel and can be
run in vehicles with or without the Flex fuel equipment options.”

E85 fuel is a much higher concentration of ethanol (85% by volume) added to the gasoline.
“E85 fuel requires vehicles that have been specifically designed as flexible fuel vehicles
(FFVs), which can run on either gasoline or E85 fuel.”

“E85 fuel needs more fuel per pound of air than gasoline for proper combustion; therefore,
E85 cannot be used in conventional vehicles” - - because non-flex fuel vehicles are not
equipped to identify the ethanol content of the fuel and properly adjust the injection and igni-
tion systems for the required stoichiometric fuel-to-air ratio. “One gallon of E85 contains 27%
less energy than one gallon of gasoline.”

* Alcohol fuel blends are designated by “E” for ethanol or “M” for methanol, followed
by a number representing the percentage of alcohol (by volume) in the blend. The
ethanol used in fuel blends is denatured (“poisoned” to prevent human consumption)
and can contain up to 5% hydrocarbons (gasoline-like additives) before blending.
Additional gasoline is added to the ethanol to make up the desired percentage in the
blend. The fuel E10 is made of 10% denatured alcohol blended with 90% gasoline;
E85, commonly called fuel ethanol, is made of 85% denatured ethanol blended with
15% gasoline; and E100 is 100% denatured ethanol.

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 #1621
Federal-Mogul Document #1621

As an example, see
the image of a window
sticker from a 2003
Ford Explorer with
Flex Fuel. If you look
in the lower right-hand
corner of the mileage
sticker, you can see
the mileage estimate
drops from 15-mpg
city & 21-mpg high-
way using gasoline to
11-mpg city & 15-mpg
highway when using
E85 fuel.

As with all liquid fuels, it is vitally important that proper fuel handling techniques be practiced to
prevent fuel contamination. Certain materials commonly used with gasoline are totally incompatible
with alcohols. When these materials (such as aluminum) come into contact with ethanol, they may
dissolve in the fuel, which may damage engine parts and may result in poor vehicle driveability.
Even if parts do not fail, running an ethanol-fueled vehicle with contaminated fuel may cause
deposits that could eventually harm the engine.”

“Some materials become degraded by contact with fuel ethanol blends having high alcohol
concentrations. Zinc, brass, lead and aluminum are sensitive metals. Terne (lead-tin-alloy)-plated
steel, which is commonly used for gasoline fuel tanks, and lead-based solder are also incompatible
with E85. Avoid using these metals because of the possibility of fuel contamination and potential
difficulties with vehicle driveability. Nonmetallic materials that degrade when in contact with fuel
ethanol include natural rubber, polyurethane, cork gasket material, leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
polyamides, methacrylate plastics, and certain thermo and thermo set plastics.”

“To safely and effectively operate a vehicle on E85, the vehicle must be compatible with alcohol
use. Aftermarket conversion of gasoline-powered vehicles to ethanol fueled vehicles, although
possible, is not recommended because of the changes in component materials necessary, the high
cost, and the need for extensive engine recalibration.”

“FFVs manufactured by several major auto companies are available in the marketplace.”

For a list of FFVs available for purchase, and how to identify current FFVs by the vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) visit www.e85fuel.com/e85101/flexfuelvehicles.php, or contact your
automobile dealer.

For more information, visit www.carterfueldelivery.com