I was not aware the US Gasoline is not for use in the E60
#31
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Gasoline could go from 10% ethanol up to 20%
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON ? Key backers of ethanol fuel are starting a push to double the amount of ethanol commonly blended with gasoline to 20%. The move would boost the market for grain alcohol, while skirting problems and controversy surrounding E85, an 85% ethanol fuel.
Blending ethanol ? alcohol typically now made from corn ? into gasoline is a way to cut petroleum use. A 10% ethanol blend, called E10, now is standard at many gasoline pumps across the USA. It can be used by virtually all gasoline vehicles, which is not true of the E85 being promoted as a fuel of the future.
Studies by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University at Mankato suggest that ordinary vehicles could burn a mix of 20% ethanol, called E20, as routinely and harmlessly as they now burn E10. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is to announce the study results at a conference here today.
"We see E20 not exactly as bypassing E85, but supplementing it," says Gene Hugoson, Minnesota agriculture commissioner.
A separate study, commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association and not yet finished, will assess the environmental impact of doubling the alcohol.
Minnesota law requires 20% of fuel used be ethanol within a few years, making the matter more urgent there than elsewhere. The mandate could be satisfied if enough motorists burn E85 to raise the average to 20% ? or if E20 replaces E10 as the state's standard fuel.
Hitting the state's goal, as well as boosting U.S. ethanol use as much as the industry hopes, "will take awhile" relying on E85, Hugoson says. E85 availability remains limited mainly to the Midwest. It is potentially corrosive, making it hard to ship in pipelines and requiring special fuel system parts in vehicles. E85 also has far less energy than gasoline, so it takes more to go the same distance.
For E20 to become a legal fuel, however, it would need U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval.
Automakers also have doubts that it is as benign as E10. They are running trials, but they say they do not have enough data on how risky E20 is to components and whether it would change emissions in unwanted ways.
"Our vehicles are able to handle E10, but to move to E20 there are technical issues. It's not that simple," says Ford Motor (F) spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.
General Motors (GM) spokesman Alan Adler says that in E20 tests in Australia, "40% of the vehicles sustained (catalytic converter) damage, which allowed essentially unchecked tailpipe emissions."
"We believe there's not data sufficient to prove that all vehicles will function OK with E20," says Reg Modlin, director of environmental affairs for Chrysler. "It's not a legal fuel, and it would void the warranty."
#32
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Originally Posted by Veight' post='751986' date='Dec 24 2008, 10:00 AM
I think if you send Rod Blagojevich $1,000 you can also be a "TopTier Gas" supplier.
I know in chicago I cant find any non-ethanol gas. But when it gets cold I want alcohol in the gas anyhow. Its like free "Heat".
I know in chicago I cant find any non-ethanol gas. But when it gets cold I want alcohol in the gas anyhow. Its like free "Heat".
#33
Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='753031' date='Dec 26 2008, 04:30 PM
I know that when it gets cold I'd rather have the alcohol in my belly while sitting by my fireplace and puffing on a nice Fuentes.
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='753037' date='Dec 26 2008, 10:42 AM
I'd rather be [huffing and] puffing on a [Daisy] Fuentes.
#35
Originally Posted by swajames' post='751648' date='Dec 23 2008, 06:45 PM
+1
I never cease to amazed by some of the posts proclaiming US gas to be crap, based solely on its octane rating, whilst failing dismally to realize that it's measured on a different scale over here...
I never cease to amazed by some of the posts proclaiming US gas to be crap, based solely on its octane rating, whilst failing dismally to realize that it's measured on a different scale over here...
(F=5/9C+32)
#36
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Be calm guys, ric is a good guy!
Dave, there in UK you have a superb fuel: my car there indicated almost 800 km with the full tank!!
It's more expensive than in Italy, France and Germany, but its quality is better.
Dave, there in UK you have a superb fuel: my car there indicated almost 800 km with the full tank!!
It's more expensive than in Italy, France and Germany, but its quality is better.
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Originally Posted by ponnu' post='752783' date='Dec 26 2008, 01:44 AM
Gasoline could go from 10% ethanol up to 20%
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
Automakers also have doubts that it is as benign as E10. They are running trials, but they say they do not have enough data on how risky E20 is to components and whether it would change emissions in unwanted ways.
"Our vehicles are able to handle E10, but to move to E20 there are technical issues. It's not that simple," says Ford Motor (F) spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY
Automakers also have doubts that it is as benign as E10. They are running trials, but they say they do not have enough data on how risky E20 is to components and whether it would change emissions in unwanted ways.
"Our vehicles are able to handle E10, but to move to E20 there are technical issues. It's not that simple," says Ford Motor (F) spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.
In EU even some under 3% cars have had problems.
1BRACE
isn't it EPA mandated now that all gasoline sold at retail pumps in the U.S. have 10% ethanol added?
geekmedic
In most major metropolitan areas with heavy traffic, the EPA now mandates it. Here in Atlanta, you cannot legally purchase gas without ethanol in it (at least to my knowledge).
esmolol
My understanding is that the minimum gasoline rating for the e60 is 91 (R+M/2) and that the cars engine can use ethanol blend up to 10% does not void the warranty(that is a paraphrase from my owner's manual)
#38
If it's interesting to anybody, Germany decided NOT to put any ethanol in it's petrol:
link to english article
link to english article
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So cutting through the ridicule and reading the Tech bulletin from Cobradav, it seems that up to 10% ethanol will not void the warranty, but any ethanol content may well affect the smooth running and performance of some BMW's.
From what I have read here it seems much of the fuel in the US has ethanol added.
Is that not the point of what ricracing said, many US fuels by being of different composition to those in Europe can pose problems for BMW in the US?
I know he has apparently used the phrase 'lower quality' which might be an unfortunate choice of phrase, but is not the general drift fairly accutrate?
From what I have read here it seems much of the fuel in the US has ethanol added.
Is that not the point of what ricracing said, many US fuels by being of different composition to those in Europe can pose problems for BMW in the US?
I know he has apparently used the phrase 'lower quality' which might be an unfortunate choice of phrase, but is not the general drift fairly accutrate?
#40
Originally Posted by KAF' post='755184' date='Dec 29 2008, 08:32 PM
From what I have read here it seems much of the fuel in the US has ethanol added.
Is that not the point of what ricracing said, many US fuels by being of different composition to those in Europe can pose problems for BMW in the US?
Is that not the point of what ricracing said, many US fuels by being of different composition to those in Europe can pose problems for BMW in the US?
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