More Alcohol In Your Fuel Coming Soon

 Just when you thought the price of groceries was high enough a recent approval by the federal government increases the amount of alcohol in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent.  As you probably know the alcohol in gasoline comes from corn.  By increasing the amount of alcohol to 15 percent more corn will be diverted from the food supply to the fuel supply.  Not only this, but it only makes sense farmers will convert fields of less profitable crops to more profitable corn crops.  If the laws of supply and demand still hold true corn prices will go up as we use the alcohol in our cars.

 If that isn't enough, the government has assured us that the increase in alcohol in the gasoline blend will not harm vehicle fuel systems if you drive a car that is 2001 or newer.  For those of us who drive vehicles 2000 model year and older might find the fuel incompatible with the fuel system and parts such as the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and fuel injectors might take a beating and need upgrading.

 For those of us who can remember what happened to vehicles back in the 1970s when alcohol was introduced to the fuel supply due to an alleged fuel shortage, vehicle fuel systems were not compatible with the fuel and many problems developed.  Alcohol absorbs water so the fuel system froze in cold weather stalling the engine.  Also, the fuel attacked fuel system parts requiring trips to the repair shop on a tow truck due to clogged fuel systems caused by deteriorating rubber parts.  We are assured this won't happen this time around.

 One thing the government has not mentioned is that alcohol blended fuel does not produce as much energy as pure gasoline.  With an increase of alcohol from 10 percent to 15 percent you likely will experience a reduction in fuel economy.  So the cost of groceries and your fuel bill likely will increase.

 In addition to all of this, keep an eye on your lawn equipment, recreational vehicle and watercraft as the new blend will have some effect on them, too.   We will just have to wait and see what will occur.  Let's keep our fingers crossed the carburetor on your lawn mower doesn't need replacement or your boat doesn't stall in the middle of  Lake Michigan.