Ethanol & Your Car

Ethanol Blends

E10
All unleaded gasoline in Missouri is an E10 blend (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent unleaded gasoline) when the price of ethanol is less than or equal to gasoline. Possible exceptions include premium blends, aviation and boating fuel.

  • All motor vehicles manufactured since the 1970s can run on E10,
  • Does not require engine modifications,
  • Significantly lowers carbon monoxide levels,
  • Ethanol serves as an oxygenate and antifreeze component when blended with your gasoline,
  • E10 has been approved for use by all small gas engine manufacturers as well as marine engine manufacturers.

Higher Ethanol Blends E15, E20, E30, E40, E85
Each blend is indicated by the percentage of ethanol it contains (i.e. E30 is comprised of 30 percent ethanol and 70 percent gasoline). E15 has been approved by the EPA for use in 2001 or new vehicles. Blends higher than 15 percent ethanol are approved for use in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) only. These new ethanol blends offers consumers with FFV’s another choice at the pump.

More information on higher ethanol blends.

Ethanol & Classic Cars…The Real Story

MoCorn Classic Autos Book

MYTH: Ethanol clogs my carburetor.
The real story: Ethanol is an effective solvent and can help remove gum and deposits left by years of gasoline use. This is one of the reasons alcohol is often used as an additive in today’s fuel.

MYTH: My fuel system is harmed by ethanol.
The real story: Aromatics in today’s gasoline are generally more aggressive to rubber than those of the 60s and 70s. Extended storage without proper treatment or overuse of certain additives may contribute to deterioration of fuel system components.

MYTH: Using ethanol reduces my car’s performance.
The real story: Ethanol is one of the most economical performance fuels on the market. That is why it is used by every car in NASCAR’s three premier series. Many teams have reported an increase in horsepower and no decrease in mileage when using ethanol-enhanced fuel.

Additional Links

Gasoline Ethanol Blends and the Classic Car, Missouri Corn and the Renewable Fuels Association

American Ethanol

2018 Flex-Fuel Vehicle Consumer Brochure, Renewable Fuels Association