Bolt-On Kits Convert Cars to 85% Ethanol, Part of Green Auto Service Offered by AAMCO
Converting the nation’s vehicle fleet to run on 85% ethanol (Flex-Fuel) may have gotten a whole lot easier.
AAMCO, one of the world’s largest chains of automotive service centers, has started an initiative designed to promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency across the nation.
The Eco-Green Auto Service initiative will certify automotive centers that meet a stringent set of criteria while adding services that cut emissions, improve mileage, and reduce hazardous waste associated with owning a vehicle.
AAMCO is also promoting alternative fuels by installing E85 conversion kits that allow vehicles to run on ethanol blends up to 85%. Their service centers will use kits provided by Flex Fuel US ®, called the FLEX-BOX SMART KIT™, which is the only ethanol conversion kit fleet-certified by the EPA.
- » See also: Study: Electric Cars Produce 30% More Emissions Than Ethanol Cars
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The FLEX-BOX is an aftermarket bolt-on kit that continuously monitors the engine’s emissions and delivers supplementary fuel injection as needed, since blending high levels of ethanol into gasoline will make the engine run lean.
As I mentioned yesterday, auto manufacturers tend to make a big fuss out of vehicle conversions like this one. General Motors has done so with their plan to convert half their fleet to run on 85% ethanol by 2012, and there really isn’t an incentive for them to convert older vehicles. I haven’t found out how much these conversions cost yet, but AAMCO’s website indicates that up to 85% (coincidence) of the conversion price can be offset by state tax credits.
Only one problem though: all the ethanol in the US is currently made from food. If you feel like filling your gas tank with corn, the price of a gallon of E85 is only $2.67, although that works out to about the same price as gas when you factor in the lower energy content of ethanol. Converting the nation’s automobile fleet to E85 doesn’t seem to make sense until cellulosic ethanol facilities go online.
AAMCO’s Eco-Green auto service has other important attributes besides ethanol conversions though. They’ll be attempting to create a “closed-loop environment” to recycle materials and eliminate waste streams, such as recycling waste transmission fluid into fuel to power heaters or air conditioners. AAMCO will also be using water-based cleaners to avoid hazardous solvents and will be using biodegradable lubricants (like vegetable oil) in their hydraulic equipment.
“We are creating a closed-loop environment for our centers, where whatever comes in is reused, and whatever goes out has minimal or no environmental impact,” says Todd Leff, AAMCO’s CEO. “Our franchisees are converting their centers into the cleanest car care businesses on the planet. I’ve long believed the automotive aftermarket industry can do more to minimize its impact. Now AAMCO centers are out to make a difference.”
To learn more: AAMCO’s Eco-Green auto service and Flex Fuel US ®.
To find an environmental friendly auto-service center, click here.
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[...] gas2.org Add a comment or question Tags: agriculture, alternative fuels, biofuels, corn, corn-grain, E85, [...]
I use ethanol all the time.I have five cars of different makes,they all run fine on it and I have not converted any of them.It will not harm your car.they say some injector types will cause ruff idle but if this happens mix it 50/50.American Ethanol is not made from food.The corn used in every case is field corn not fit for human consumption.When they process this corn they make oil,corn starch and many other products we can use for food.Don’t let the oil companies fool you they don’t want you to use any ethanol what they want is your money.
I forgot to say I use E85.
[...] Bolt-On Kits Convert Cars to 85% Ethanol, Part of Green Auto Service Offered by AAMCO AAMCO is… promoting alternative fuels by installing E85 conversion kits that allow vehicles to run on ethanol blends up to 85%. Their service centers will use kits provided by Flex Fuel US, called the FLEX-BOX SMART KIT™, which is the only ethanol con (tags: environment) [...]
[...] no mystery why GM is interested. They’ve already got 4 million Flex Fuel vehicles (those that can run on 85% ethanol) on the road, and any effort to rapidly commercialize cellulosic [...]
Question; I have been doing research on converting over to E85-flex fuel. The E85 website states that the kits are not legal to use or sell in California. What is going on here? We consume the most gas of any state. Who can I contact to get my car to run on E85-flex fuel?
SGT: Since California has some of the strictest emissions standards in the world, I would assume it has something to do with how these conversions effect vehicle exhaust. Try giving AAMCO a call - they should have the low-down on this.
What about M85 and other methanol blends? A dude I work with has a Ford Ranger that’s flex fuel. His sensor on the fuel line took a dump and it cost more than $700.00. Plus labor.
GET CONGRESS TO STOP BLOCKING ACHOL FROM BRAZIL FOR 85 CENTS A GALLON 15 PERCENT GAS WESTART THIS THE ARABS WILL BEG US TO BUY THERE OIL
[...] the highway. For years, they have been introducing alternative fuel autos like hybrid electric, ethanol capable e-85, clean diesel and more to prepare for a time when consumers valued fuel economy the way they valued [...]