Hi, all.
I usually use Exxon or AMOCO in my cars from local stations (mid-N.J.) -- but last week I saw that my local AMOCO station put up new stickers on their pumps proclaiming that the fuel contains 10% Ethanol! I almost had a heart attack!

I know that there's been a lot of environmental problems with MBTE (an ether) and I'm not a fan of that stuff at all -- besides environmental concerns, I know it caused a 20% drop in power and gas mileage in the winter in my old '80 when I had it (although my '84 and two '93's don't seem to have been affected like that). But I'm even more concerned about my cars' well-being on finding out that I've been putting in a high ethanol blend like that.

For example, my powerboat manual (and my boat dealer's service manager) both strongly caution against ever using any fuel containing any amount of ethanol -- not that this is a problem in the winter when the boat's in storage -- but my cars are old, with old seals and hoses that were never designed for ethanol blends. I'm thinking that I might now face years of problems with leaks, etc., and worse, because of this.

I haven't seen any stickers on any Exxon pumps at any stations in the area -- does anyone have any information, or internet URLs, where I can find out what if any "winter season" additives are put in other brands like my usual (now, exclusive) Exxon, or other brands like Sunoco or Shell or ....?

Thanks very much.