Just saw an article today saying the US EPA wants to go to 15% ethanol by memorial day. So how does this work in the 5.0 engines. I assume the timing range isn't an issue but other then performance/mileage is there a downside. here.

 

Great, like E10 didn't destroy enough rubber filler hoses in my Ford.

 

..... and all my lawn and garden equipment...

 

Lobbyist win again.

 

Owner's Manual for the 5.0 says:

I'm not sure about E15 - obviously it's more than E10, but nowhere near E85. Would. it be OK, or not? I guess we'd need a ruling from Jaguar.

 

Some gasoline stations sell ethanol free premium gas, I'd buy that if you can find such a station by you. I am assuming you have to run premium anyways. There is not one advantage to running E10, much less E15, that I can think of.

 

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvis...nol-Fuel-Myths

Extracted from the above:

E10 only, not E15, for your boat!

We still don’t know how and when E15 will be offered for sale, or if it will ever be sold in your local marina. We do know that you don’t want it in your marine engine, as the experts are unanimous on the subject. According to Mercury Marine: “Fuel containing higher proportions of ethanol is not compatible with many fuel system and engine components and, if mistakenly used, will cause irreversible damage to these components that will lead to engine failure and potential safety risks.” At this time, we can only warn you about the possibility of confusion and the risk of accidentally filling your boat’s gas tank with E15.

 

Actually, I normally use 95 RON (same as 91 octane in the US), which may contain up to 10% ethanol - there's no requirement to specify any ethanol content below 10%. I can buy premium 98 RON (US 94) if I want, or even 100 RON in some places, but I don't bother unless I'm planning to push the car hard. For everyday driving, I have found zero difference. The only benefit of ethanol is that it slightly reduces my carbon bootprint; as I can do that while saving money and not impacting the car's performance, it doesn't bother me.

 

Why do people confuse ethanol rating with octane rating? They have nothing to do with each other

 

Pure Ethanol has a high octane rating of something like 109 Ron.

So adding Ethanol to petrol does actually increase its octane rating and potentially allows for higher compression ratios and thus more efficiency.

However if an engine has a low compression ratio adding in a high octane fuel does nothing to increase performance.

ALSO:

Methanol and ethanol fuels contain soluble and insoluble contaminants.[5]Halide ions, which are soluble contaminants, such as chloride ions, have a large effect on the corrosivity of alcohol fuels. Halide ions increase corrosion in two ways: they chemically attack passivating oxide films on several metals causing pitting corrosion, and they increase the conductivity of the fuel. Increased electrical conductivity promotes electrical, galvanic and ordinary corrosion in the fuel system. Soluble contaminants such as aluminum hydroxide, itself a product of corrosion by halide ions, clogs the fuel system over time.

 

New ruling: Buy a new car.

E15 is a win for both the corn growers, and the car makers (and their dealers). Current car owners... you lose.