Outdoor Power Equipment Institute issues E15 alert

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) advised outdoor power equipment users to be aware of new fuel coming on the market with higher levels of ethanol that could harm equipment. More than 200 million pieces of outdoor power equipment could be at risk of product failure or voided warranty, including chainsaws, lawnmowers, utility vehicles, generators, snow throwers, trimmers, edgers, pruners, chippers, shredders and blowers.

 

This advisory comes after the decision by the EPA to approve higher levels of ethanol (E15 or 15% ethanol) in gasoline for use in only 2007 and newer automobiles.

 

Equipment operators need to be aware that until today, the maximum allowable limit of ethanol in gasoline was E10 or 10%. Use of E15 or higher ethanol blended fuels in any engine product, with the exception of a “flex-fuel” automobile, could cause performance issues, damage engines and void the manufacturer’s warranty, according to OPEI.

 

Equipment operators should read and follow the owner’s manual, which will clearly explain what fuels can be used to ensure a properly functioning product. 

Do not put any fuel containing more than10 percent (E10) in small engine products (EPA’s decision only applies to 2007 and newer highway vehicles), unless otherwise stated.

 

Users must check the pump to be sure it is dispensing E10. Some gas pumps at local gas stations may offer both E10 and E15, or have blender pumps that dispense mid-level ethanol fuels for “flex-fuel” automobiles. Higher ethanol fuel (E15) may be less expensive than regular (E10) fuel, but putting E15 into an E10 approved product could cause product failure and void its warranty.

 

“The Department of Energy’s (DOE) own testing has shown that putting anything other than E10 in non-road, small engines can cause performance irregularities and equipment failure,” said Kris Kiser OPEI vice president.

 

Possible problems include performance irregularities, increased heat and exhaust temperatures, and failure or unintentional clutch engagement. 

 

OPEI supports Congressional efforts toward energy independence and the use of biofuels, including ethanol, and manufacturers can design and build future equipment to run on specific blends. However, current equipment was not designed to run on any fuel exceeding 10% ethanol, according to a statement from OPEI.