gpsman1,

I well know about E10 being available in many states (and for years now). Ethanol issues should be very minimal over the past 20+ years, now that some of the plastics and rubber have been upgraded to withstand E10. That's not the issue here, for me. The issue is in recommending greater than E10. This is not even close to widely available at the pump (unless you use E85 - not a good idea). So asking about "how many engine complaints from ethanol" is talking apples and oranges, as you're not talking about the widely available E10.

And while all that you say may be true, it does not matter to me until manufacturers (& dealers too) agree with you, and stop putting this verbiage in the owner's manual:

"Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such as ethanol or MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to operate on oxygenated gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by volume and up to 15% MTBE by volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol."
(quoted from p.150 of my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid owner's manual)

The 10% ethanol message is likely due to the use of a 10% ethanol mix, especially in the winter months. It does NOT indicate to me, that the engine, valves, fuel pumps, fuel injectors, O2 (and other) sensors, CATs, exhausts, fuel linings, rubber and plastic parts have all been significantly upgraded to handle ANY amount of ethanol (or even 50%). If they have been, it's a small step to make the vehicles truly "Flex-Fuel".

I, for one, will take heed this cautionary message in my HCH2.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL