How to Use an Ethanol Blend in a Nissan Maxima
- 1). Know the year the Maxima was manufactured. Whether purchased new or used if the car was manufactured after 2004 it can run on E10 fuel, blends that use up to 10 percent ethanol mixed in. Blends which contain more than 10 percent may begin causing performance problems or lower fuel efficiency.
While little can be done to change the inherit problems with ethanol (natural separation of ethanol from gas, lower burn efficiency), its effect on rubber and plastic can be limited. - 2). Replace the rubber and plastic parts of the car's fuel system with metal pieces. To accommodate ethanol-blended fuels, which are naturally corrosive to rubber, plastic and fiberglass, recent Maximas use an increased amount of metal pieces in its fuel system. Beyond the inherent problems with ethanol blends this is likely the best option for fitting an older model Nissan for ethanol blends.
- 3). Use the fuel in a timely manner. Ethanol is an alcohol and has such absorbs water, evaporates and essentially goes bad after 90 days. If the fuel isn't used within that time it becomes useless. If you do not drive often, or don't use the car enough to empty the tank within a few days of filling up with an ethanol blend, it may be best not to use that blend at all.
- 4). Mix E10 fuels with those which contain less ethanol. Adding fuels with less ethanol content will make it easier for a Maxima which isn't manufactured to handle higher levels of ethanol to make efficient use of it. While the effects of lower efficiency and performance may still be apparent, using different fuels may at least minimize them.
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