Ethanol

[tomsawyer]

Hi Everyone - Have a question. I just filled up my 05 4.4 w/ Hess Premium. As I was paying the attendent, I noticed a sticker on the pump that said "10% Ethanol". I asked the guy if there was ethanol in the gas and he confirmed yes.

Now, I am wondering, is the 4.4 engine able to accept gas with 10% ethanol. Will there be any harm to the engine?

I thank all of you who reply.

[PLAYERPRO]

I read in my manual page 26.(Fuel Specifications)( 06 X5-4.4)

"Fuels Containing up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by wieght, that is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount cosolvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship."

me put nothing less than 92 Octane...

[JCL]

Thought you may like to see the rest of that quote from the manual (This is from a BMW tech bulletin):

Fuels containing up to and including 10% of ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship.
Although, usage of such alcohol fuel blends may result in drivability, starting, and stalling problems due to reduced volatility and lower energy content of the fuel. Those drivability problems may be especially evident under certain environmental conditions, such as: high or low ambient temperatures and high altitude.

With only 10% ethanol those issues are not as bad as an E85 fuel (which is 85% ethanol, and which BMW does not endorse), but they are still potential consequences of using fuels that contain ethanol.


Also, from the same bulletin:

....due to lower carbon content, ethanol provides 27% less energy (for identical volume) then gasoline, resulting in the reduced fuel economy of E85 vehicles (approximately 22% higher consumption).

Since you are only using 10% ethanol, and are still purchasing the fuel by volume, your fuel consumption impact should be just under 3%, compared to fuels with no ethanol (if you could obtain them).

[Wagner]

If you live in the USA, 10% Ethanol is or has already replaced MTBE in your fuel.