according to the new brochure, "And every rear wheel-drive C320 with the optional automatic transmission is also a Flexible Fuel Vehicle - able to run on methanol, premium gasoline, or methanol/gasoline blends."

in the specs section, it says, "M-85 methanol/gasoline blend, or methanol." in addition to the 91 octane gasoline.

1st, where can you get methanol fuel? 2nd, does it affect the power curve? 3rd, cleaner w/ methanol?

anyone actually try this?

 

Lynn, are you thinking of nito-methane? That's the toxic stuff used in top-fuel drag cars (and model planes). It's hard to ignite and requires high pressure/tempertures.

I think methanol is different animal- used in milder alcohol race engines. I thought Indy cars used methanol (I don't follow the current CART/IRL stuff).

A friend of mine has a monster truck with an engine set up to run methanol (not nitromethane). Gasoline is used to start those engines because it ingites at colder engine temps. It's been a while, but this is how I remember it....

 

well, i just got the 03 brochure couple days ago. appearently that is what they say on the brochure, but i'm thinking that they probably mean that if you are in need of fuel but can't find any, than you can use M-85 methanol/gasoline blend or methanol for short period of time till you can find a regular gas station to fill up.

the question is that if we can't even find regular gasoline, how are we going to be able to find methanol when in need?

 

methanol isn't that toxic or corrosive, although it will make you go blind if you drink it. methanol is methyl alcohol, not methylene alcohol which is very toxic, a known carcinogen, and highly corrosive to organic tissue. that's about all i can say on methanol though. i don't know how it affects power. only other thing is that it doesn't produce CO2, only CO. Any other polutants that result come from other chemicals in the mixture.

 

actually just found some data on pros and cons of alternative fuels from a University of Hawaii study

Alternative Fuels

 

good job

 

and if you want even more, California Energy Comission has a 116 page report on alternative fuels. it's a 2.3MB pdf.

ABCs of AFVs

 

the formation of formaldehyde and formic acid is the result of a redox reaction between methanol and sulfuric acid.

 

Someone doit, and if it screws something up (which is probably will), it will be at the expense of Mercedes-Benz .

Disclaimer: Don't doit!

 

Methanol corrosive??? I've never noticed that! Been a model aircraft pilot for 5 years (quitted 10 years ago though...) and been dealing with methanol almost daily during these years. The fuel-tanks in my planes usually were made of plastic just like all hoses from the tank to the engine, and they lasted "forever" ('til the oil in the fuel clogged it completely).

I have had aircraft engines that run for several hundred hours, and when disassembled they looked like new inside. So how can this be, if methanol is so highly corrosive?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lynn
[B]I repeat; methanol is highly toxic. Dont believe me, then maybe you'll believe the EPA http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/07-meoh.htm

**Methanol is toxic if you drink it. It's alchohol. Not toxic to burn it. It burns clean!**

So it is not corrosive? The Department of Energy disagrees. They think it is. http://www.afdc.doe.gov/altfuel/met_train.html

**Methanol like any other solvent has corrosive properties. Methanol's less corrosive to metal than fossil fuel.**

Methanol itself is not toxic but it metabolizes into formaldehyde and formic acid which are toxic. Ingestion of as little as 60 milliliters of methanol can be fatal. http://www.hhmi.org/research/labsafe/lcss/lcss58.html

**DONT DRINK IT!! Would you drink a cup of Mobil/Exxon Premium?**

http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/newsletters...at_report.html

http://www.solardome.com/SolarDome22.html

Here is a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet which must be included with every shipment of methanol: http://www.udallas.edu/chemdept/hend...hanol_msds.htm

Here is another EPA site which says because of methanol's corrosive characteristics that specialized fuel system is needed to handle it. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fue...s/methanol.pdf

**I think you need to check your attitude at the door, put down the fact books and stop micro-analyzing everything as a personal attack on your intellect. To use the vernacular....CHILL DUDE!**

 

Lynn: The statements I see in the material you quote do make minor mention of the corrosive nature of Methanol, but also state that "a specialized fuel system is required". I would have to assume that if Mercedes is making a blanket statement to the effect that the vehicle is designed to run on multiple fuels that it is designed to be able to hanle the corrosiveness of methanol and M-85.

Certainly they wouldn't be able to support a 4/50 warrantee if it wasn't.

Methanol powered vehicles have been around and used in limited circumstances for almost 30 years. Multiple fuel systems have also been around nearly as long. I would applaud mercedes for making this possible in a consumer level vehicle.

 

They might mean 'gasahol' the 10% grain alcohol and 90% gasoline mix.