[DeTomaso] Ethanol-just the facts Ma'am.

[Ron Graves]

As an engineer, it is troublesome to see so much misinformation and 
misunderstanding perpetuated about ethanol (or any technology).  There 
are volumes of test and analysis data.  No need for myths and folklore. 
Research on engines and fuels has been my profession for over 30 years. 
The following web site has pretty good information gounded in science 
and engineering data.  I am not employed with the group that maintains 
this site.  One needs to dig a few levels into it to find E15 etc.  The 
site also explains why the US is interested in ethanol, or renewable 
fuels in general.

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/

E15 is one of the most heavily tested new fuels ever proposed, but not 
my personal favorite path to less petrol dependence.  My organization 
was directly involved in the test programs.  There are huge volumes of 
data for an interested and patient reader.  The reports have executive 
summaries for the less-patient, which would include me.  EPA made 
rulings on E15 based on their interpretation of the data.   It is not 
legal to use in Panteras (too old), boats, string trimmers, etc.  There 
are about 9 million flex fuel vehicles out there that could use ethanol 
up to 85% with no problem.  The loss of “tank mileage” with ethanol is 
just a matter that it has less energy content per gallon. About 3% loss 
for E10 vs E0, and about 27% loss for E85. Eventually, the high octane 
number of ethanol could support more powerful and efficient engines to 
partially offset this.  (Indy car series uses ethanol fuel).  Brazil 
mandated ethanol as a path to energy independence years ago, and it 
continues today.  USA produces about 2x as much ethanol as Brazil, but 
leaves more to free market.  Henry Ford considered ethanol an excellent 
fuel, but not widely available in his peak time. Take time to read the 
science and engineering reports.  The news media usually gets things 
wrong, and are usually just selling controversy.   Panteras even predate 
the introduction of E10 (around 1980), so some incompatibility not 
surprising.  But I hope none of our Pantera family are driving around 
with 50-year-old fuel hoses.  I use E0 in my oldest cars when I can find 
it.

Keep the shiny-side up and the rubber-side down.
Ron