On Wed, 14 Dec 2005, Craig's Saab C900 Site wrote:
> Well the more interesting aspect is the fact it's 5 percent ethanol -
> the Australian government wants 10 percent ethanol content but I suspect
> that there have been problems with that mixture causing degradation in
> fuel system components as well as unusual engine wear. I know there is
> an official Saab list of cars that will run fine on Ethanol-based fuel,
> but that's pretty useless without actual empirical testing to get some
> 'field' results. 8-) The combustion performance of the fuel is going to
> be markedly different to regular fuels not counting the slightly higher
> RON rating.
> What's the story in other countries?
Ethanol was for many years considered a fuel adulterant/contaminant in
North America. Then Archer Daniels Midland, the agricultural products
corporation that now produces over 98% of North America's fuel ethanol,
revved up their lobbying machine. Over the course of a decade, what had
been correctly regarded as a cause of vehicle damage, driveability
problems and reduced fuel economy came to be pushed as an "environmentally
friendly" fuel additive, now mandated as a "pollution fighting" gasoline
ingredient in many areas. Most newer vehicles are built to tolerate up to
10% ethanol without short-term component damage or significant
driveability faults, but there is a drop in fuel economy due to ethanol's
lower energy content per unit volume as well as secondary effects. Older
cars are disregarded; their owners' lobbying groups aren't as loud or well
funded as ADM's. "Just buy a new car. Everyone wants a new car."
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