E-85 Fuel Safety Advice from Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff
May 3, 2020
Today at Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff we want to talk with you about a very important safety issue. This automotive safety warning is coming from a very unusual source: fire fighting experts. You've probably heard of E-85 gasoline being offered in the Poplar Bluff area. Some newer vehicle models are specifically built to run on E-85 – the rest are not.
Does your vehicle use E-85 gasoline? Bring it down to Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff at 2020 N. Westwood Blvd in Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901, to find out, or give us a call to make an appointment by calling 573-686-5585.
E-85 gasoline has been developed to fight air pollution and reduce oil consumption. E-85 fuel is a mix of 85% ethanol, a grain-base alcohol, and 15% gasoline. So-called Flex-Fuel vehicles are designed to use either normal gasoline or E-85 gas. The result is lower exhaust emissions to our local Poplar Bluff community.
All gas engines can run with up to 10% ethanol, and in fact a lot of gasoline sold in the Poplar Bluff, Missouri, area does contain some ethanol. The problem comes when well-meaning residents without Flex Fuel certified vehicles put E-85 into the tank.
At a 15% concentration, the potential for problems arises. Because of the chemical differences between ethanol and gasoline, special seals and gaskets are needed for Flex Fuel vehicles. In a normal engine, the ethanol in E-85 gas will eat away seals and gaskets. This leads to gas and oil leaks.
You Poplar Bluff auto owners can imagine the fire hazard caused by leaking gasoline. Missouri fire fighting experts caution drivers to only use E-85 if they know their vehicle is certified to handle it. They expect vehicle fires to increase because of using the wrong fuel in non-Flex Fuel vehicles.
Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff
2020 N. Westwood Blvd
Poplar Bluff, Missouri 63901
573-686-5585
http://www.charliesfastlubepoplarbluff.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Poplar Bluff

That Vexing Vapor Venting (Vapor Coming out of Vents)
June 2, 2025
You may have noticed sometimes on a hot and humid day, vapor will come out of your vehicle's vents when you have the air conditioning on. Is that something to be concerned about? Well, it depends. Sometimes that steam or vapor can be caused by water accumulating in the vent system after it has c... More

Breathe Easier (Cabin Air Filter)
May 26, 2025
When you get in your vehicle, how does it smell? If it's not so nice, it may be time to have your cabin air filter changed. It's not the same one that filters out the air used in the engine. The cabin air filter screens out dust and other particulates from the outside air so when it enters the c... More

Catalytic Converter Replacement
May 18, 2025
Many of us have become aware of how important it is to keep our planets air clean, and your vehicle has a key component that helps do just that: the catalytic converter. Its in the exhaust system, and its job is to superheat unburned, harmful byproducts in the exhaust, so they dont get spewed ou... More