1997 Ford Taurus Flex Fuel Vehicle Supplement 1st Printing - Page 15

Servicing your vehicle WHAT IS FUEL METHANOL (M85)? Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is a colorless, odorless liquid produced from coal or natural gas. It is not the same substance as the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) but is more toxic. Fuel methanol (M85) is a mixture of approximately 85% commercial grade methanol (M100) and 15% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline is added to give certain qualities important for use as a motor fuel. The resulting fuel has a higher octane rating than unleaded regular gasoline and other properties which allow engine designs with greater efficiency and power. Winter blends of fuel methanol (M85) may contain up to 30% unleaded gasoline to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather may require additional measures for reliable starting. This supplement contains specific information for starting under these conditions. Since methanol has less energy per gallon, fuel economy in miles per gallon will decrease as the percentage of methanol goes up. However, it is still more efficient on an energy basis to run M85 in a flexible fuel vehicle than gasoline. Methanol corrodes some metals and causes some plastic and rubber materials to swell, break down or become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special materials and procedures have been developed for the Taurus FFV and for the dispensers used by M85 fuel providers. U.S. government regulations require retail fuel methanol dispensing pumps to have a small square orange and black label with the common abbreviation for the fuel such as: "M85" above the mid-line and the words "MINIMUM xx% METHANOL" below the mid-line.The "xx%" is replaced with either "70%" or "85%" as appropriate for the region. 15