According to Fox News and Triple A, E-15 ethanol gas is very bad for your engine, and at least half a dozen car makers have stated they will not honor warranty claims on cars that have been used with that fuel.

Has anyone else heard of this, and does anyone know if Jaguar has made a statement with regard to it?

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 13:23

All Jaguars, up to 2013 are limited to fuels with Ethanol only up to 10%. No E15 can be used.

Beginning in 2013, the 5.0L engines ONLY, can utilize E85. And only with certain constraints. ALL other engines are still limited to Ethanol not to exceed 10%.

Below is the Jaguar policy for 2013 engines. Frankly, use of E85 is not worth it to me. I'll stick with Premium Petrol in my cars.

*************************************************************

Fuel and refueling ETHANOL
Certain vehicles are certified for use with E85
(85% ethanol content) fuel. If the vehicle can
use E85 fuel, it will be stated on a label on the
back of the fuel filler flap.
Vehicles WITH the label
These vehicles can use E85 fuel.
Do not use E85 fuel in ambient temperatures
lower than 14?? F (-10?? C).
When using E85 fuel, 1 in 4 tanks of fuel must
be non-E85 premium quality unleaded fuel.
Failure to do so will require more frequent
servicing. Consult a Dealer/Authorized
Repairer. Further servicing information can
also be found in the Passport to Service.
Do not leave the vehicle in storage for 6 months
or more with E85 fuel in the fuel tank. If the
vehicle must remain in storage, use non-E85
premium quality unleaded fuel instead.
When using E85 fuel, an increase in fuel
consumption may be experienced. This is
normal and does not indicate a fault.
The engine may take longer to start in ambient
temperatures below 32?? F (0?? C). This is
normal and does not indicate a fault.
If the vehicle is frequently driven short
distances or in cold weather conditions then
the engine may not reach normal operating
temperature. Engine Oil Level High may be
displayed in the message center but this does
not indicate a fault and no dealership support
should be required. Drive the vehicle for
approximately 40 minutes or more. If the
warning message remains, consult a
Dealer/Authorized Repairer.

Vehicles WITHOUT the label
These vehicles are not suitable for use with
fuels containing more than 15% ethanol (grain
alcohol). Do not use E85 fuels (85% ethanol
content). The equipment necessary for the use
of fuels containing more than 15% ethanol is
not fitted to these vehicles. If E85 fuels are
used, serious engine and fuel system damage
will occur.
Fuels containing up to 15% ethanol may be
used. Make sure that the fuel has octane
ratings no lower than those recommended for
unleaded fuel. Most drivers will not notice any
operating difference with fuel containing
ethanol. If driveability issues are experienced,
revert to fuel containing no more than 10%
ethanol. If the issues remain, use premium
quality unleaded fuel instead.

Cheers,

Submitted by dougdwyer1@com… on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 00:00

Sure, I've heard of it.

Not sure what position Jaguar has taken, though.

Unforunately the issue has become so hyper-politicized in recent years the waters have become very muddy.

The much-ballyhooed statement about "voided warranties" is misleading, though, as it implies enitre warranty coverage is in jeopardy. Coverage on (let's say) your master cylinder or turn signal switch or transmission obviously remains in force. Coverage on systems or components specifically damaged by E15 is in question.

Even then it would be up to the manfacturer, via the dealer service departments, to prove a given failure is unquestionably attributable to E15 fuel. At this stage of the game, given the very slow roll-out of E15, I'm not sure they're prepared or willing to do that. If E15 use becomes widespread, and the predictions of utter disaster come true, we'll probably see manufacturers change from aggressive statements to aggressive actions.

Cheers
DD