Why do some gas stations make it a point to advertise that they sell ‘Pure Oil’ or ‘Ethanol-free Oil’? And why is there a divide among consumers as to what type of gasoline is better; is it E10, pure ethanol, or pure oil (fossil fuel)? It seems that there is an ongoing debate as to whether gas with a mix of ethanol or made of pure ethanol is really better than pure oil due to several factors. Here are some of the pros and cons of using ethanol free gasoline noted in such discussions.
List of Pros of Ethanol Free Gas
1. It improves mileage.
It has been reported that oil mixed with ethanol has less fuel efficiency. Energy-rich pure gasoline has higher energy content so it delivers more power when burned. And because your engine is able to convert the fuel into more kinetic energy, you get to use less fuel but achieve more mileage.
2. There is less harm to the engine.
Gas mixed with ethanol has a negative effect on engines, particularly those of older models since these weren’t designed to run on ethanol-mixed fuel. Some of the problems reported are the breakdown of old rubber seals and an increase in vapor pressure which may cause a vapor lock in the carburetor. Aside from that, ethanol attracts water, increasing the risk of rust forming on the interior engine parts.
3. It makes us less dependent on ethanol crops.
When the United States government decided to add ethanol to gasoline, more farmers started to grow corn but the price of this crop and its leading products increased. But if more people use pure fuel, we become less dependent on ethanol crops, and hopefully this will bring down the price of corn.
List of Cons of Ethanol Free Gas
1. It has more harmful emissions.
This is one of the major reasons why people are turning to alternative energy and mixing ethanol in gas. It cannot be denied that pure oil has more harmful emissions that are contributing to global warming and pollution.
2. It makes us more dependent on oil from other countries.
When fuel reserves in the United States start running low, we will have to depend on foreign gas imports again, making us more energy dependent. As a result, gasoline prices will increase again.
3. It is not ideal for newer, high-compression engines.
More recent high-compression engines have been designed to run on ethanol pure or mixed fuel. This is because a high compression ratio usually requires high octane levels in order to avoid putting high levels of stress on an engine (what is otherwise known as a condition called pre-ignition). Regular gasoline has a lower octane rating than ethanol, so it is not ideal for these kinds of engines.
As technology is figuring out more ways to make machines and the world less dependent on fossil fuels and run more efficiently on alternative energy, the tide could be turning for pure oil users. After all, what we should all be thinking about is to help our planet survive with the limited resources it has left.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.