Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ProfessorGAC

(76,625 posts)
16. Sounds Made Up To Me
Sun Mar 22, 2026, 07:31 PM
Sunday

I can see no chemical reason why gas (E0, E5, E10, or E15) would be any more corrosive today than in the past.
Corrosivity in metals is caused by the dissociation of acid functionalities into a solvent with thr properties of water.
That is almost NO organic solvents.
Plus in the past the sulfur compounds in gasoline (at retail) was 8 to 10x higher than today. It went from pretty darned small to super low. That's why we're puking less sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere with our cars.
So, the dissociable functional groups aren't as high, and there is little to know water in gas both new & in the past.
The issue with leaving gas in the engine has nothing to do with corrosion. It gas to do with the double bonds in the naphthebe being susceptible to oxidation & subsequent cyckization, creating the equivalent of varnish/lacquer that can plug fuel ports.
In modern engines, the fuel injectors drain down, and the tubing is sealed resulting in minimal air exposure.
If an engine actually has a carburetor, it can be a problem. I've got a shut-off valve on the backup generator so I can run the carburetor completely dry. But either way, it has nothing to do with corrosion.
I'm no car expert, but I am a chemistry expert & that corrosion from modern gas seems completely made up.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

AAA warns E15 gasoline could cause car damage dalton99a Sunday #1
Your link is 14 yr old NickB79 Sunday #7
Meanwhile, the average age of a US car is 12.8 years. If you're privilaged enough to own newer it's useless info... Lancero Monday #31
Big problem for motorcyclists and boaters jmowreader Sunday #2
and will destroy the carbs. The gas today is very corrosive. I Emile Sunday #6
Sounds Made Up To Me ProfessorGAC Sunday #16
It's hygroscopic. Not corrosive. It should use ethanol free which contains iso butanol for boats. Melon Sunday #24
I drove a 60s classic car in the late 90's when gas stations stopped selling leaded gas. C Moon Sunday #3
Members of our VW club use a lead additive for their older bugs. I buy Emile Sunday #4
Ah, that's what it was! C Moon Sunday #5
Tetraethyl lead. roamer65 Sunday #14
Unless your car is 15+ yr old, you're safe NickB79 Sunday #8
Not all of them after 2001. roamer65 Sunday #13
Your truck is 20 yr old NickB79 Sunday #15
For small engines and two stroke engines, bite the bullet and buy ethanol free gas. indusurb Sunday #9
I believe Sheetz stations carry regular gas, no ethanol, in addition to those with ethanol. mucholderthandirt Sunday #10
It has iso butanol in it likely instead. Melon Sunday #23
I have to drive 20 milies to the next county to find it and its is more expensive. Historic NY Monday #30
The fuel ethanol industry needs to go away. hunter Sunday #11
That's not true. And it does substitute a percentage Melon Sunday #19
Ethanol is boondoggle scam GreatGazoo Sunday #12
It's an octane booster. Not a scam. Melon Sunday #18
Your car would have to be over 14 years old not to be in compliance. Melon Sunday #17
And nobody has a vehicle THAT old. BWdem4life Sunday #21
10% ethanol is still available. Melon Sunday #22
My 2008 Toyota van is doing ok Attilatheblond Sunday #28
In Pennsylvania our retail gas automatically switches over to 10% ethanol in March FakeNoose Sunday #20
It's more expensive because it requires more refining. The government has VOC requirements on what goes into Melon Sunday #26
Ethanol gas is a step change improvement over what we were using. MTBE and MTT. Many comments here... Melon Sunday #25
I just checked my car's gas requirements..not more than 10% ethanol. I have never check the gas pump before Deuxcents Sunday #27
E15 85% and I don't think it is for many vehciles WhiteTara Sunday #29
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Check your vehicle manual...»Reply #16