Madison-Area Gas Stations Hyping Benefits of Ethanol-Free Fuel

By Marv Balousek, The Wisconsin State Journal

May 30–Ethanol has been touted as a step toward the nation’s energy independence, but with gasoline prices soaring above $4 a gallon last week in Madison, some area stations are marketing ethanol-free gasoline.

The attraction of ethanol-free fuel goes beyond its compatibility with older or smaller engines to anyone who wants to squeeze the most gas mileage out of their dollar, said Butch Wilcox, a mechanic at Hanson’s Auto Service Center, 1405 S. Park St.

“I always try to get gas without ethanol,” said Wilcox, who drives a Saturn. “I’ve noticed a marked increase in gas mileage. Everybody should use it, including people with flex-fuel cars.”

He said gas mileage with E-85 fuel, which includes 85 percent ethanol, is about 25 percent less than gasoline and gas mileage also is lower with the more common 10 percent ethanol fuel.

Wilcox said ethanol doesn’t harm modern engines with stainless steel fuel tanks and lines, but can corrode the fuel lines of older engines.

Higher-end cars, such as Lexus, Infinity or Mercedes, tend to run better without ethanol, said Stephanie Tara, owner of the Park Street Mini-Mart, 950 S. Park St., which she said has offered ethanol-free fuel since 1999.

Ethanol-free gasoline can be more expensive, partly because ethanol tax credits can’t be passed on to customers.

“The only real benefit to (ethanol-blended fuel) is it’s cheaper,” said Tim Roiland, a mechanic with Mike’s Auto Service, 222 W. Cottage Grove Road. “Gasoline is better for your car.”

Owners of old boats, cars, motorcycles or tractors may believe their engines don’t run as well on ethanol-additive fuel and some gas station operators have decided to cater to these customers, said Matt Hauser, president of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

“I think it’s really a marketing decision by those individual retailers,” he said.

Dan Hein, an expert on small engines at Madison Area Technical College, does not recommend gasoline containing ethanol for lawn mowers, chain saws, motorcycles, boat engines, weed trimmers and other power equipment.

“In essence, ethanol is alcohol, and alcohol will wash away oil and residues that are actually helpful to engines,” he said. “We need that lubrication to reduce friction.”

Ethanol also will absorb moisture and dry out rubber hoses and plastic components, perhaps causing leaks and other problems sooner than they would otherwise occur, said Hein, who is director of MATC’s technician program for motorcycle, marine and outdoor power products.

“I tell people, if you can, try to use straight gasoline in your small engines,” he said.

Engine manufacturers say ethanol content of up to 10 percent in gasoline is acceptable, he said.

Refiners are required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to blend 9 billion gallons of ethanol this year and the blending requirement will rise to 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, Hauser said.

“It’s going to get harder and harder to find gasoline without ethanol in it,” he said.

State Journal reporter Anita Clark contributed to this report.

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