Can the Hyundai Getz use E10 gasoline?
In response to the emails and online posts I’ve been receiving about the compatibility of our Hyundai Getzes with e10 fuel, I finally decided to write an email to Hyundai Asia Resource Inc. (HARI) asking for a final statement on whether or not we can use e10 gasoline with our Hyundai Getz. I finally blasted it off today. Once I receive a response, please expect me to post it here.
Update 1: I decided to call Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. the morning of August 13, 2008. I dialed their number, 830-0011, and got to speak to a gentleman named Jeff. He tried to refer me to a lady named Jenna, who was unfortunately in a meeting. I left my name and number for them to call me back. They didn’t. Will try again tomorrow.
Update 2 (Aug 16): It has been a week since my email. No response from HARI yet.
Hi, was just browsing the internet, and read some of your post, and i was really interested in this one, coz e10 is much cheaper gas. please do find out really appreciate it. what year your is getz, im trying to compute for my gas km/Liter, and its comes out from 10-12km/liter. waiting for your post here. thanks
Hi Mike,
Thanks for writing in. I’m waiting for HARI to get back to me. If I don’t get a reply in about a week, maybe I’ll fax them a letter.
i decided to try e10 a few days back, i waited till the gas warning lit up and filled half a tank (2 bars). 1 thing that I immediately notice is that I step on the gas harder just to maintain a certain speed. Driving my Getz feels a bit sluggish with e10. As for economy, I got about 140 km and I still have half a bar left, nothing exceptional. next time i’ll try mixing it with petron unleaded and hope that driving it will feel a bit faster
Hi Ron,
Thanks for writing in and for the feedback on e10. I wonder if that’s everyone else’s experience.
Someone else wrote somewhere on Life With Gina that he combines the e10 with another fuel, and it pumps his Getz right up. I’m not sure if combining fuels is the best thing to do, but I promise I’ll ask HARI about it.
Thanks for writing in. Keep us posted on the progress of your Getz, okay?
Hi gan,
I checked the car manual for E10 and it said its ok, now im not afraid that it will cause engine problem and void my warranty, because if it did broke ill ask them to replace my engine for free. They (HARI) cant tell me my warranty is void because its printed on their manual that i can use E10.
Hi gan,
i believe you said you lost your getz manual… the manual said “Gasohol… (a mixture of 90% unleaded gasoline and 10% ethanol)… may be used in your Hyundai.”
90% unleaded gasoline + 10% ethanol = E10
Hi Ramon,
I know the manual says it’s okay. I just find it unusual that the mechanics of Hyundai Global City are a little tentative in endorsing e10. I asked them if it was okay, and they said there is no memo from HARI saying it’s okay.
According to this website, ethanol isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“Ethanol alcohol is an excellent SOLVENT - Ethanol will dissolve plastic, rubber, certain types of fiberglass and even aluminum! Ethanol can dissolve and disintegrate just about anything that has accumulated in a motor engine. Example: Ethanol will dissolve resins that create a black sludge that coats and travels through the engine, causing engine stalling and complications, including clogged fuel filters, carburetor jets and injectors.
Ethanol alcohol is a DRYING AGENT and can DISINTEGRATE or DISSOLVE parts. Ethanol will dry-out and cause cracking and damage to non-alcohol resistant parts, especially rubber and plastic parts and components.
Many engine hoses of older engines are not resistant to alcohol.
Ethanol alcohol is an excellent CLEANSER -While these can have useful purposes, it can also be very problematic, because it can clean and release years of dirt, rust, sediment and other gunk from the engine and circulate it through the engine, causing clogging of filters and engine parts.
Ethanol will ABSORB WATER. It actually combines (adsorbs and absorbs) with water, and the combined molecules are greater than the sum of each separate molecule. All alcohols attract and combine with water. Petroleum and most other oil-based compounds are not soluble in water.
Ethanol ignites at a higher temperature, compared to conventional non-alcohol gasoline, causing damage to pistons.
E10 can not be added to a tank or pump that contains oyxygenators MTBE or ETBE.
Over 10% ethanol will cause damage to most conventional engines. The percentage of ethanol contained in gas at pumps is not closely monitored. All major auto and marine engine manufacturers currently limit allowable ethanol in gas to 10%. (Check your owners manual and warranty statement).
Ethanol based fuel additives and gas treatments will increase risk. Higher alcohol causes extra release of rust, debris, sediment and gunk - and further clogging and damage to engine components and filters.”
Since we cannot be guaranteed by Petron, Caltex, or Shell about how much ethanol goes into their e10 fuels (we hope it’s 10%; could be more) or control how the Philippine climate will affect water absorption into our gas tanks, I want that guarantee that our Getzes are in tiptop shame to handle this type of fuel. Furthermore, I want it clear that - as you said - there will be some kind of buffer warranty that says it is absolutely all right to use e10 fuels, that tells me our gas tanks are prepared to handle the water absorption qualities of e10 fuel, and that our cars’ engines will not be compromised by the use of it.
Sure, they MIGHT replace our engine, but how long will that take? And how do we know that the fuel has affected only the engine? Can they replace, say, a rusty gas tank?
Okay, our cars may be a bit sluggish because of the e10, but how do we know that’s a direct result of the fuel and not of a side effect caused by the use of the fuel?
How can we rest assured that combining e10 with another fuel, say unleaded 93%, will not damage our engines?
I’m not a car expert, and that’s why I have these questions, hoping they will be answered. For all I know, gas tanks don’t rust, ethanol doesn’t evaporate (and lessen FE), and all the technology is set for e10. I just want to hear it from them. My manual’s saying it is not enough; I’d like to know the reasons why it’s okay. Siguro naman maiintindihan nila, diba?
[...] been 20 days since I sent an email to HARI (at their cpc@hyundai-asia.com email, the one posted here) asking about e10 [...]