What Cars Can Use Unleaded 88 Fuel?

7 min readSep 15, 2023

With gas prices rising, many drivers are looking for ways to save money at the pump. Unleaded 88 E15 is a newer 15% ethanol blend fuel touted to offer lower cost. But what vehicles are compatible with Unleaded 88?

Let’s get started understanding this new E15 ethanol blend and whether it’s safe for your vehicle.

What is Unleaded 88 Fuel?

Unleaded 88 is a grade of fuel containing 15% ethanol blended with regular gasoline. It has an octane rating of 88 AKI, which is why it is named “Unleaded 88”.

Key facts on Unleaded 88 E15:

15% ethanol, 85% regular gasoline
88 octane rating (Average of R+M/2)
Considered a midgrade fuel option between regular (E10) and premium
Uses same ethanol as E10 fuel since 1980s, but higher blend ratio
Meets EPA emissions and mileage standards for use in approved vehicles
Offered at over 2000 US gas stations, expanding availability

The higher 15% ethanol content allows Unleaded 88 to have greater knock resistance than E10 regular grade. This provides midgrade performance at a lower cost.

However, the extra ethanol can also create issues in vehicles not designed for it…

Benefits and Drawbacks of E15 Fuel

Here are some pros and cons to consider regarding Unleaded 88 vs standard E10:

Potential Benefits:

Lowers fuel cost 5–10 cents per gallon
Burns cleaner with lower emissions
Increases octane rating for better performance
Extends gasoline supplies as renewable fuel

Potential Drawbacks:

Not approved for use in all vehicles
Can damage engines, seals, pumps if incompatible
Lower energy density reduces MPG up to 3%
Requires fuel system designed for higher ethanol

The cost savings can appeal to drivers, but compatibility issues prevent use of E15 in many older vehicles.

Vehicle Compatibility Issues

The key concern around Unleaded 88 is vehicle compatibility. Here are some of the potential issues:

Metal corrosion — E15 can corrode metal, aluminum and brass components when wetness gets trapped in the fuel system. This damaging corrosion occurs over extended use.
Fuel line damage — Ethanol can degrade rubber fuel lines and O-rings over time, causing leaks and performance issues.
Fuel pump failure — Higher ethanol concentrations make pumps work harder leading to premature wear or failure.
Engine damage — Using in non-approved vehicles can void warranties and lead to damaged valves, pistons, cylinders, and spark plugs in some cases.
Drivability problems — Poor drivability like stalling, misfires, or poor throttle response can develop if the engine was not designed for Unleaded 88.

These issues typically occur gradually after sustained E15 use in incompatible vehicles. To avoid any problems, it’s critical to know if your vehicle is approved.

How to Check if Your Car is E15 Compatible

Unfortunately the EPA only requires compatibility labeling on fuel pumps for vehicles after model year 2001. For older cars, determining E15 approval requires digging into your owner’s manual or contacting your manufacturer directly.

Here are ways to check compatibility for ANY vehicle:

Check your owner’s manual — Look for statements on approved ethanol blends like E15 or E85.
Contact your manufacturer — Call their customer support line and provide VIN for E15 approval.
Check online databases — Sites like FuelTesters.com have searchable listings of E15 compatible vehicles.
Look for E15 warning sticker — Your gas filler door may have a warning if E15 is not approved.
When in doubt, call ahead — Ask the gas station if they have compatibility listings.

Checking ahead of time is important to avoid misfueling issues. Don’t assume your vehicle can run E15 without verifying first.

Full Compatibility List by Make & Model

To provide a helpful starting point, here is a breakdown of E15 approval by major auto manufacturers and some sample models:

Acura

2012 model year and newer approved
2013 Acura ILX — approved
2010 Acura TL — not approved

Audi

Model year 2001–2018 approved EXCEPT for Audi A3 TDI (2010–2013) which is not approved
2019 Audi A4 — approved
2015 Audi Q5 — approved
2012 Audi A3 TDI — not approved

BMW

Model year 2001–2019 approved EXCEPT for BMW X5 xDrive35d (2009–2013) which is not approved
2019 BMW 3 Series — approved
2013 BMW X3 — approved
2011 BMW X5 xDrive35d — not approved

Buick

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2018 Buick Regal — approved
2010 Buick LaCrosse — not approved

Cadillac

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2021 Cadillac Escalade — approved
2009 Cadillac CTS — not approved

Chevrolet

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2019 Chevy Silverado — approved
2011 Chevy Malibu — not approved

Chrysler

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2020 Chrysler Pacifica — approved
2008 Chrysler 300 — not approved

Dodge

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2021 Dodge Charger — approved
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 — not approved

Ford

Model year 2007–2019 approved EXCEPT Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility with 3.5L EcoBoost (2016–2019) which are not approved
2020 Ford Escape — approved
2019 Ford Expedition — approved
2017 Ford Explorer EcoBoost — not approved

GMC

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2021 GMC Yukon — approved
2009 GMC Sierra — not approved

Honda

Model year 2001 and newer approved
2020 Honda Civic — approved
2005 Honda Accord — approved

Hyundai

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2022 Hyundai Tucson — approved
2010 Hyundai Elantra — not approved

Infiniti

Model year 2016 and newer approved
2017 Infiniti Q50 — approved
2015 Infiniti QX60 — not approved

Jeep

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2021 Jeep Wrangler — approved
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee — not approved

Kia

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2020 Kia Sportage — approved
2010 Kia Soul — not approved

Lexus

Model year 2001 and newer approved
2022 Lexus RX — approved
2004 Lexus ES — approved

Lincoln

Model year 2012 and newer approved
2021 Lincoln Navigator — approved
2010 Lincoln Town Car — not approved

Mazda

Model year 2001 and newer approved
2022 Mazda CX-5 — approved
2004 Mazda 6 — approved

Mercedes-Benz

Model year 2001–2020 approved EXCEPT for Mercedes ML 350 BlueTec 4MATIC (2010–2015) which is not approved
2021 Mercedes GLC — approved
2015 Mercedes CLA — approved
2013 Mercedes ML 350 BlueTec — not approved

Nissan

Model year 2001 and newer approved
2021 Nissan Maxima — approved
2009 Nissan Versa — approved

Subaru

Model year 2001 and newer approved EXCEPT turbocharged models before 2019 which are not approved
2020 Subaru Outback — approved
2018 Subaru WRX (turbo) — not approved
2005 Subaru Legacy — approved

Toyota

Model year 2001 and newer approved
2022 Toyota Camry — approved
2009 Toyota Corolla — approved

Volkswagen

Model year 2001–2019 approved EXCEPT VW Touareg TDI (2009–2016) which is not approved
2021 VW Atlas — approved
2015 VW Golf — approved
2013 VW Touareg TDI — not approved

This covers the compatibility status for most major brands — always verify specific model years and trim levels when in doubt.

FAQs

Still have questions about using unleaded 88 E15 in your vehicle? Here are some common FAQs:

Does unleaded 88 damage engines?

In engines designed for it, E15 does not cause damage. But sustained use in non-compatible vehicles can corrode fuel system metals leading to degraded performance.

Can older cars use unleaded 88 safely?

Most vehicles 2001 and newer are approved, but some older models have compatibility issues. Verify E15 approval with your manufacturer before using in vintage cars.

Is it bad to accidentally put E15 in your car?

An occasional tank of E15 in a non-approved vehicle is unlikely to cause immediate issues. But repeated refueling with E15 can start to create long-term corrosion and damage.

Does E15 decrease fuel economy?

E15 has less energy per gallon than E10, so your MPG may decrease around 3% on average with sustained use. Performance impacts vary based on vehicle.

Can using unleaded 88 void my car warranty?

Only if misfueling can be proven to have caused damage. Dealers may deny claims if E15 use caused issues in non-approved vehicles. Check warranty terms for details.

Is all ethanol the same? Does source matter?

Technically ethanol from different biological sources has minor variances in chemical makeup. But any ethanol meeting US fuel standards will function the same in engines.

Is it worth the savings to use E15 in my older car?

The potential savings are minor compared to risks of long-term damage from misfueling older incompatible vehicles. It’s best to follow automaker guidelines for your specific model.

Will unleaded 88 damage small engines like boats and lawn mowers?

Yes, the EPA warns E15 can damage small non-road engines and they should always use E10 or lower ethanol blends.

As you can see, due diligence is required to avoid issues when fueling up with new ethanol blends. Verify compatibility before using in your vehicle.

The Bottom Line on Unleaded 88

When used properly in approved vehicles, Unleaded 88 E15 provides a cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel option. But significant risks exist if misused in incompatible cars. ALWAYS check for manufacturer approval before filling up.

The provided make/model compatibility list is a helpful starting point. But verifying your specific vehicle’s status is the only way to fuel up with confidence and avoid unnecessary issues. Use the resources in this guide to check for approval.

While unleaded 88 holds promise for savings and reduced emissions, make sure your car is ready first. Follow automaker fuel recommendations to prevent problems down the road.

https://wiack.com/what-cars-can-use-unleaded-88-fuel/?feed_id=34221&_unique_id=6503cce26f316 #Wiack #Car #CarInsurance #CarRental #CarPrice #AutoLoans