It is true that there are many benefits to using ethanol and gasoline. What's all the fuss about that? Is ethanol really bad for your car?

But first, we should distinguish between high-ethanol gases (ethanol msds) and typical gasoline that contains ethanol. Gasoline with a few percent ethanol content won't destroy your engine, but higher concentrations can cause serious problems if your car isn't fit for purpose.

Ethanol gasoline has a low shelf life

As we all know, gasoline has an expiration date. Over time, the fuel will degrade and eventually turn into a gel. Ethanol-free gasoline has a shelf life of about 4-6 months before it begins to oxidize and deteriorate. Ethanol has a much shorter shelf life of 1-3 months. So what's the difference? Why doesn't ethanol last as long?

Ethanol is a hygroscopic chemical, which means it absorbs water. Let's do the math. Gasoline with a high ethanol content, if allowed to expire, will also have a very high moisture content. That's bad news for almost every part of your car. Contaminated fuel can cause anything from clogged fuel lines to ruptured cylinder heads.

Can ethanol damage an engine?

So, is ethanol bad for cars? What does it do to the engine? Gasoline infused with ethanol will definitely damage the engine. However, some engines are more vulnerable to attack than others. Here's what ethanol does for cars, and why there's good reason to worry about using this fuel additive.

Fuel tank damage

Ethanol is not a threat to most steel and aluminum tanks. However, ethanol dissolves the fiberglass and resin in the composite tank, which can lead to leaks or overall tank failure. And it doesn't take long.