I do wonder about engine oil formulation to deal with some of the unique acids (formic acid, particularly) that are byproducts of ethanol combustion. Chrysler recommends special acid-neutralizing oil formulations for their flex fuel vehicles, though GM and Ford don't.
Any oil that's rated for use in diesels should be okay. Speaking of oil, you might also be able to boost your mileage too by using a lower-weight synthetic/synthetic-blend.
I've already gone from 5w30 dino squeezin's to 5w20 Mobil 1 when I was doing research on the vehicle post-purchase and found a service bulletin that okayed 5w20. Didn't notice any gain, but I did the Mobil 1 primarily for the longer drain intervals.
IMO ethanol as produced nowadays is "feely green" as opposed to actually green. First, the idea of taking a food crop (corn) and making it into a motor fuel is stupid. Second, with current production methods it takes more petro fuels to farm the corn and refine the ethanol than the amount of ethanol produced. Of course the subsidies make it all work and the farmers love it. But don't imagine that you are actually reducing our dependence on oil.
Cellulosic ethanol from waste plant material will be a whole nother story. But that's a few years off at best, for mostly political reasons.
IMO ethanol as produced nowadays is "feely green" as opposed to actually green. First, the idea of taking a food crop (corn) and making it into a motor fuel is stupid.
IMO, crops are crops, and renewable is renewable. Supply and demand dictate a crop's value. If it's more valuable as ethanol (and don't forget ethanol is a byproduct of corn processing; there are other end products as well, including food) than as food, why not? I've seen stoves that burn corn for home heating.
Second, with current production methods it takes more petro fuels to farm the corn and refine the ethanol than the amount of ethanol produced.
Old data, and suspect at that. More recent studies show a 38 percent energy gain, not a net loss. Don't forget the ethanol and petroleum industries are not friends, re the politics you mentioned. There is a fair bit of mis/disinformation floating around about ethanol fuel.
Of course the subsidies make it all work and the farmers love it. But don't imagine that you are actually reducing our dependence on oil.
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with current production methods it takes more petro fuels to farm the corn and refine the ethanol than the amount of ethanol produced.
I don't feel qualified to argue this point at all yet but had to jump in and point you toward an article (which of course I couldn't find sigh) but this one does mention "Today, drafts [horses] are making a powerful comeback thanks to a renewed interest in farming and logging practices that are both economical and environmentally conscious. Equipped with natural traction control, they're more satisfying to work with than cold steel and rubber - and, in many cases, more efficient. Nor do they pollute the air."I read in a couple other places that small farmers are returning to horse plowing and logging because it is not only more satisfying and ecological but apparently much cheaper. Or so these articles spelled out. A plow is pretty easy to fix yourself whereas modern plows not so and you can breed a new horse. Well... anyway - I just thought it was interesting (and hey, I'm biased, I love big
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When I was in the Forest Service, we frequently prescribed horse logging for ecologically sensitive areas. Areas with Amish populations often see a lot of demand for draft animal work. Ecologically and economically viable--best of both worlds.
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Any oil that's rated for use in diesels should be okay. Speaking of oil, you might also be able to boost your mileage too by using a lower-weight synthetic/synthetic-blend.
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Cellulosic ethanol from waste plant material will be a whole nother story. But that's a few years off at best, for mostly political reasons.
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IMO, crops are crops, and renewable is renewable. Supply and demand dictate a crop's value. If it's more valuable as ethanol (and don't forget ethanol is a byproduct of corn processing; there are other end products as well, including food) than as food, why not? I've seen stoves that burn corn for home heating.
Second, with current production methods it takes more petro fuels to farm the corn and refine the ethanol than the amount of ethanol produced.
Old data, and suspect at that. More recent studies show a 38 percent energy gain, not a net loss. Don't forget the ethanol and petroleum industries are not friends, re the politics you mentioned. There is a fair bit of mis/disinformation floating around about ethanol fuel.
Of course the subsidies make it all work and the farmers love it. But don't imagine that you are actually reducing our dependence on oil. ( ... )
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I don't feel qualified to argue this point at all yet but had to jump in and point you toward an article (which of course I couldn't find sigh) but this one does mention
"Today, drafts [horses] are making a powerful comeback thanks to a renewed interest in farming and logging practices that are both economical and environmentally conscious. Equipped with natural traction control, they're more satisfying to work with than cold steel and rubber - and, in many cases, more efficient. Nor do they pollute the air."I read in a couple other places that small farmers are returning to horse plowing and logging because it is not only more satisfying and ecological but apparently much cheaper. Or so these articles spelled out. A plow is pretty easy to fix yourself whereas modern plows not so and you can breed a new horse. Well... anyway - I just thought it was interesting (and hey, I'm biased, I love big ( ... )
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