E15 Is Coming & AAA Ain't Happy; New Fuel Could Void Warranties Page 2

By Richard Read

Richard Read

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Richard Read covers technology, social media, advertising, legal issues, and other auto industry topics for High Gear Media. With a background in... More

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E15 infographic from SmarterFuelFuture.org

But wait, it gets worse. In a press release, AAA says that BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen have all announced that their warranties don't cover problems related to the use of E15. And GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have said that E15 "does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner’s manuals and may void warranty coverage" (emphasis ours). Ouch.

And so, AAA is taking two courses of action:

1. It's asking the federal government to delay the rollout of E15 until consumers have been better educated about the new fuel and until gas stations improve their labeling for E15.

2. It's encouraging consumers to read up on the potential dangers of E15 to make sure they understand its effect on vehicles (and their warranties).

The good news 

There's no indication whether or not the EPA or other governmental agencies will listen to complaints brought by AAA. But even if E15 moves forward, it won't arrive at your corner gas station overnight. The infrastructure requirements alone are enough to delay E15's rollout significantly, since stations will need to add special tanks and pumps for the new fuel. And technically speaking, gas stations aren't required to sell E15 at all.

Have a look at the E15 infographic above -- distributed not by AAA, but by the folks at SmarterFuelFuture.org -- and share your thoughts about the new fuel in the comments below.

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