I'm not a fan of the E10 ethanol-blended fuel (10% ethanol/90% gasoline) that is extremely common here in the US. I'm no expert, but I've heard and read that it is often damaging when used in either small engines or passenger vehicles. Thus I try to limit my use of it when practical. I'm aware of two workarounds:
- Buy ethanol-free gas at special gas stations
- Use a fuel additive, like Stabil 360 Performance
The first option is quite difficult, and expensive – in my area, E0 costs almost twice as much as E10, and it's only sold at a few out-of-the-way stations.
Thus, the second option is attractive: less expensive, and easy – I can add it to all the E10 I buy, both what I put in my car and what goes in the riding lawn mower and other small engines.
However, I wonder – what effect does the Stabil ethanol treatment actually have? Has any research been done to demonstrate that it truly works and reduces long-term issues in both passenger vehicle fuel systems and in small engines?
And if it does indeed "do something," does it fully counteract the effects of ethanol in E10, making purchase of E0 completely unnecessary?