Sheetz lowers prices of Unleaded 88 & E85 fuel. Are they safe to use in your vehicle?

Following Sheetz’ announcement Monday that they'd be lowering gas prices for certain types of gas at participating locations ahead of the holiday weekend, many drivers were left wondering if they should take advantage of the deal.

6 News spoke with GasBuddy's Head of Petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan to find out for you. The simple answer: De Haan says you should always check your owner's manual. Sheetz says they are lowering prices for Unleaded 88 and E85.

He says Unleaded 88 is essentially a marketing term for gas blended with up to 15-percent ethanol.

He says most regular gas is blended with up to 10 percent.

He says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed millions of miles of data showing that it's okay to use Unleaded 88 in vehicles 2001 and newer.

“Ethanol has slightly less energy content, generally speaking the massive discount makes up for the two to three percent-point drop in fuel efficiency, but check your manual and if it’s okay with up to 15-percent, if it were me, I’d be going out to Sheetz all weekend and filling up with Unleaded 88,” said De Haan.

De Haan adds Unleaded 88 should not be used in boats, small engines and power equipment.

As for E85, he says that type of fuel is not compatible with most vehicles unless it's a flexible fuel vehicle.

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