Back to all

E-85 Fuel Safety Advice from Tire Warehouse Depot

July 30, 2022


 

Today at Tire Warehouse Depot 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 Lake Orion 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 Tire Warehouse Depot at 250 N. Lapeer Rd. in Lake Orion, Michigan 48362, to find out, or give us a call to make an appointment by calling 248-929-0699.

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 Lake Orion community.

All gas engines can run with up to 10% ethanol, and in fact a lot of gasoline sold in the Lake Orion, Michigan, 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 Lake Orion auto owners can imagine the fire hazard caused by leaking gasoline. Michigan 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.

Tire Warehouse Depot
250 N. Lapeer Rd.
Lake Orion, Michigan 48362
248-929-0699

 

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Tire Warehouse Depot

The Untold Truth About Blinker Fluid: Why Your Car Desperately Needs It

May 10, 2026

If youve been ignoring your dashboard, your mechanic, and that one guy at the gas station who muttered bro your blinkers sound dry, then buckle up because today we dive into the critical world of blinker fluid maintenance. What Is Blinker Fluid? Blinker fluid is a high-viscosity, luminescent com... More

In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)

April 19, 2026

Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isnt taken care of soon. Be on the lookout for signs that its getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel. When you see that heat gaug... More

Make Your Vehicle Last

April 15, 2026

We live in such a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away. New stuff comes out so fast, we just toss the old and move on. In the old days, Michigan folks were real sticklers about taking care of their things. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough - they had to do ... More