Will the use of ethanol damage vehicles on the road today -- and make it harder for repair technicians to do their jobs?
The American Automobile Association (AAA) says the danger is there. A recent AAA survey reveals "a strong likelihood of consumer confusion and the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent approval of E15 gasoline."
According to the AAA, 95% of consumers surveyed have not heard of E15, a newly approved gasoline blend that contains up to 15% ethanol. "With little consumer knowledge about E15 and less than 5% of cars on the road approved by auto makers to use the fuel, AAA is urging regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are better protected."
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) doesn't agree.
In response to the AAA survey, RFA CEO and President Bob Dinneen says AAA is biased.
"If AAA weren’t so deep in the Big Oil politics, they would stop manufacturing concern about the efficacy of ethanol blend use and report enthusiastically about ethanol’s consumer gasoline price savings. Their misplaced concern today, that E15 should be further tested before being offered for sale reflects a pathetic ignorance of EPA’s unprecedented test program before approving E15 for commercial use.
"The fact is, E15 has been the most aggressively and comprehensively tested fuel in the history of the agency. The miles driven on E15 equate to 12 round trips to the moon and back without a single failure, unless you want to count the deer that was killed on the test track! E15 is a safe fuel, as evidenced by the fact auto manufacturers are now providing warranty coverage for it.”
To read more about AAA's survey results and conclusions, click here.
Modern Tire Dealer and www.moderntiredealer.com will stay on top of this continuing story line in order to make sure you and your customers are aware of future problems and possible fixes.
