AAA Warns Drivers Using E-15 Ethanol Gas - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

AAA says that despite the approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, using a blend of E-15, if put in the wrong vehicles, it could potentially cause your engine to wear faster and even fail. It could also cause fuel-system damage.

They also warn the costs to fix the problems may not fall under vehicle warranties. They have since asked the industry to stop the sale of E-15 until drivers are more protected.

With so many choices at the pump these days, the Michigan Petroleum Association says consumers could get confused on which gas to use. Only about 12 million cars, including flex-fuel models, on the roads today are approved by manufacturers to use the E-15 blend.  

"It happens on a regular basis where people put diesel fuel instead of gasoline or they drive off with a nozzle still attached to their car," said Mark Griffin, Michigan Petroleum Association.

E-15 is a hard option to find in Michigan, but experts expect it to eventually become more common.

"Until we see this new fuel shake out, many retailers are being very cautious about putting it in their station," said Griffin.

But supporters of the ethanol movement don't agree with AAA.

"It's flawed, because they have not used a larger segment for their testing," said Jim Zook, Executive Director for Michigan Corn.