[BleedGreen]

While filling up today I accidentally put about 2 1/2 gal. of e 30 flexfuel in the car. I realized the mistake and quickly added regular gas (about 4 gal. or so) to top-off the tank.

Will that little of E30 hurt? Or should I call to have the gas tank flushed?

Searching online I found mixed reviews ... just wondering what you guys/girls would do.

Thanks.

 

[Starship]

I doubt it on a couple gallons of E30 (I didn't even know there was such thing) diluted to a full tank of 16 gallons. You did fill it up? If so, don't worry about it.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Let's do a little math.

If E30 is 30% ethanol (as opposed to E85 that's 85% gas) then 30% of 2.5 gallons is 0.75 gallon of ethanol. If the 4 or so gallons you topped off with made the tank full then you have about 3 quarts of ethanol in about 16 gallons of fuel, so 0.75 / 16 = a little over 4% ethanol, or "E96".

If E30 is 70% ethanol, then you have about 1.75 gallons of ethanol. That comes to 1.75 / 16 = about 11% ethanol, or "E89".

Check your owner's manual and see if you're allowed to have any ethanol in your vehicle and then go from there.

Let us know how you fare, too!

 

[Starship]

The E number is the ethanol content in percent. So, according to your math, we're talking about the equivalent of E04 (or E14 if the rest of the tank was filled with E10). It's nothing to write home about. I wouldn't be surprised if we don't occasionally get an equivalent of E12 or W10 (water) without knowing.

 

[Pizza Man]

The solution to pollution is dilution!

You've already diluted it to the point where I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[BleedGreen]

Thanks for the responses!

Online it says that E30 is 70% gas ... so by both your calculations I should be fine ... just a little worried when I did it.

Our pumps here in N. Dak. have (if memory serves) five options for gas. A yellow handled pump with E10, E30, and E85 and a green handled pump with Reg. Unleaded (89?) and Premium Unleaded (93?).

After my goof-up I put the Premium Unleaded in to top it off ... hopefully nothing comes of it but after I noticed I was filling up with E30 it was one of those "Oh Sh!t" moments.

I will update if anything happens ... Thanks Again!

 

[chevyguy8893]

If the alcohol concentration was too high it would cause driveablity concerns and generally throw a check engine light. Anyways, I agree that most likely there is nothing to worry about. I never knew there was anything other than E85 available.

 

[BleedGreen]

Thanks! Just nice to have a little "re-assuring".

Enjoy your weekends guys!

 

[KangaBu]

G'day mate! Hopefully it doesn't hurt your engine

 

[BleedGreen]

Me neither KangaBu ... I think I should be fine ... I always use the E10 (10% ethynol) any way so a couple gallons of E30 should be fine when I topped it off with the premium good stuff.

Thanks for the good wishes!

G'day to you too!!

 

[wjjeepman34]

Ethanol has an octane rating of 100 according to wikipedia (using the r+m/2 method). So at 3/4 of a gallon, doesnt look like you've done nothing more than overdose on octane booster.

 

[BleedGreen]

Thanks wjjeepman34 ... I'm almost down to about a 1/4 tank left. Gonna fill up in a day or so.

So far the car has been fine. It's been chilly here in N. Dak. so the extra "boost" was probably appreciated by the Malibu

Thanks all for the help guys!