Is 88 Bad for Your Car?

Unleaded 88 fuel is generally not bad for most modern cars; in fact, it's approved for use in a large portion of the vehicles on the road today.

What is Unleaded 88?

Unleaded 88 is a fuel blend that contains 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. It is often labeled at the pump as E15. This is different from standard gasoline (like 87, 89, or 91 octane), which typically contains up to 10% ethanol (E10). The "88" refers to its octane rating.

Is Unleaded 88 Safe for My Car?

For many vehicles, Unleaded 88 is perfectly safe to use. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Unleaded 88 is approved for use in:

• All flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), regardless of model year.
• All vehicles with a model year of 2001 or newer.

This means that if your car was manufactured in 2001 or later, you can typically use Unleaded 88 without damaging your engine or fuel system components. The fuel is designed to work with the materials and systems commonly found in vehicles from this era onwards.

It's important to note that, as Unleaded 88 can be used in nearly all existing fuel infrastructure without risk of damage, this indicates a fundamental compatibility with standard fuel handling systems, which are mirrored in the components of compatible vehicles.

However, Unleaded 88 is not approved for use in:

• Vehicles with a model year older than 2001.
• Motorcycles.
• ATVs.
• Boats.
• Lawn mowers or other non-road equipment.

Using Unleaded 88 in these unapproved vehicles or equipment can potentially cause damage to the engine or fuel system over time.

Why the Model Year Matters

Vehicles manufactured in 2001 and later were generally built with updated materials in fuel pumps, lines, and other components designed to be more compatible with higher ethanol blends like E15. Older vehicles may have components that could degrade when exposed to 15% ethanol.

Benefits of Using Unleaded 88

• Often sold at a lower price per gallon than standard unleaded gasoline.
• Has a higher octane rating (88) than regular unleaded (typically 87), which can be beneficial for some engines.

How to Know if Your Car is Compatible

The best way to confirm compatibility is to check your vehicle's owner's manual or the label inside your fuel door. If you are still unsure, consult with your car's manufacturer or a certified mechanic.

Summary of Compatibility:

In conclusion, for most cars built in the last 20+ years, Unleaded 88 is not bad and is an approved fuel option. Just be sure to check your vehicle's specific requirements.