How Will The Corn-based ethanol Blend Affect Prius Engine?

[Sid]

I was reading an article about the anti-smog gasoline blend using corn-based ethanol, I was wondering how it would affect the Prius' engine?

Article URL: ARTICLE

[Rancid13]

Any idea what % of ethanol they'll be blending into the gasoline? I think that up to a certain %, the ethanol has no negative effects on regular gasoline-burning engines. If it's over a certain %, the engine has to be modified to accept the larger amount of ethanol present in the fuel. Or something like that...

[jchu]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Apr 21 2006, 07:13 PM) [snapback]243406[/snapback]</div>

Any idea what % of ethanol they'll be blending into the gasoline? I think that up to a certain %, the ethanol has no negative effects on regular gasoline-burning engines. If it's over a certain %, the engine has to be modified to accept the larger amount of ethanol present in the fuel. Or something like that...
[/b]

Specifically stated in the owners manual, the Prius can easily handle up to 10% ethanol. In fact, I seem to remember they recommended it as part of the green thing.

As an aside, as long as the primary/sole source of ethanol is corn, the flexfuel E85 thing is more of a farm support for the corn growing farmers rather than a true alternative to oil. Figures certainly vary but even the best estimates note a minimal net positive in energy produced in ethanol vs. energy used in oil. This has been covered elsewhere on PC. Also interesting interview on Talk of the Nation on NPR on the subject of the US based "Corn Economy" .

[huskers]

Yes, it can handle 10% but it is still hard on the engine lifespan!!!

[efusco]

Anyone know what the BTU rating of summer fuel will be with Ethanol instead of MTBE?

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(huskers @ Apr 21 2006, 09:27 PM) [snapback]243451[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it can handle 10% but it is still hard on the engine lifespan!!!
[/b]

No, it's not hard on the engine. Ethanol has lower power per volume than gasoline, so you get a bit lower mpg, but it is fine for engines when designed for it. One of the main problems with ethanol is that it can desolve some rubber seals and tubes if they are not the correct type. Obviously, 10% ethanol engines have the proper types of rubber.

Tom

[john1701a]

I have 111,000 miles of Prius experience with E10 (the 10% ethanol blend) with my 2 Prius over the past 5.5 years.

It's no big deal. MPG goes down a little. Horsepower goes up a tiny bit. Emissions are very clean.

[genalex]

From an article in today's NY Times, much of the nation has already accomplished the switchover from MTBE to ethanol based fuel. So we should know from PC members what, if any, effects occur.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/us/21cnd...artner=homepage

[Sid]

Thanks all for the responses! I feel less worried now, at least about that

[paprius4030]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Apr 21 2006, 10:19 PM) [snapback]243471[/snapback]</div>

I have 111,000 miles of Prius experience with E10 (the 10% ethanol blend) with my 2 Prius over the past 5.5 years.

It's no big deal. MPG goes down a little. Horsepower goes up a tiny bit. Emissions are very clean.
[/b]

How much does MPG go down? Are we talking 1 or 2 mpg's or more?