老司机传媒

A few weeks ago, during one of the busiest weeks I had yet up to that point in this semester, I decided to take a little “refueling” break—literally. My car was reaching that point where the orange “low fuel” light was about to ping, and I knew I had been procrastinating putting some good old unleaded fuel into Miss Petunia (what I affectionately call my trusty blue hybrid). Not only that, I wanted to grab some snacks (and a Celsius). Despite my busy schedule, I took the opportunity to grab some fresh air and head on down to Casey’s. 

The four-minute drive was mundane and quiet, a much-needed reprieve from the nonstop 2x biology lectures I was speed-running. The bright LED lights radiating from the store tempted me, but after a second of hesitation, I decided to pump gas first before heading inside. 

Now, like any other economical college student always on the lookout for great savings, I noticed a gas option I hadn’t seen at the other gas stations around Berrien: something labeled as “Unleaded 88 E15”. Curious, I read the description printed above the pump, which stated:

• 2001 and Newer Vehicles
• Burns Cleaner

Even more importantly to me, it was a whole 50 cents cheaper per gallon than regular unleaded 87! 

“Hmm,” I hummed to myself. “It’s cheap and environmentally friendly? I don’t see why not.” Since I wasn’t familiar with “E15,” I went through a couple of mental checks. Not diesel? Check. Is my car newer than 2001? Check. Cheaper enough to justify using it over my safe 87 option? Check. Not diesel again? Check. To be triple-sure, I asked Derrick*, the guy I was on the phone with, who, after a quick Google search, said, “Yeah, it should be fine. Go for it.” Especially with a guy’s approval, I figured I was all set. 

I began pumping the novel gas into my car, happy that the price meter was a little lower than usual. Since it was taking a little while, I began to read the other stuff on the gas pump. My eyes landed on the sticker below the E15 signage, which seemed like fine print about the fuel. It read:

ATTENTION

E15: Up to 15% ethanol

Use only in

• 2001 and newer passenger vehicles

• Flex-fuel vehicles

Don’t use in other vehicles, boats, or gasoline-powered equipment. It may cause damage and is prohibited by Federal law.

Flex-fuel? What’s flex-fuel? I let go of the handle in mild concern to grab my phone and double-check if my car counted as a “flex-fuel” vehicle. Does hybrid count as flex-fuel? The first search results that were generated promptly told me nope, flex-fuel vehicles are a relatively new type of car that can handle all different types of gas due to their specially designed engines and fuel systems. 

Panicking, I abruptly shoved the pump back into its holder and frantically exclaimed to my guy friend on the phone, “I don’t think I can put this gas into my car!” I ran into the gas station and told the attendant that I put the wrong gas into my car. The attendant called her friend—a car mechanic—who said I should just leave my car in the parking lot and wait until the morning to have someone drain my tank. They advised me to call someone to pick me up. I rang up the last person I texted at Andrews, who I knew was awake, and then called Nick*, who Derrick said was knowledgeable about cars. Nick was out at Wingstop with his friends, but after begging him to stop by and help me siphon out this mystery gas from my car, he reluctantly agreed. 

The boys pulled up to Casey’s, eagerly waiting for this to be over so that they could go and eat their Wingstop (spoiler alert: It went cold). I told them we needed to find a siphon somewhere, anywhere, as long as it was quick. After trying to find one in the two gas stations near us, one of them suggested they go back to their house and see if their parents had anything to help. 

While the boys were gone, I continued my obsessive online search for any answers as to what damage this stupid E15 gas could inflict on my car. For whatever reason, my Google search this time suggested that the E15 was fine if your car was any car newer than 2002. Furthermore, one source suggested: Not sure what type of gas your car can take? Check your gas cap. 

I ran out to my car and popped open the tank. The gas cap read in all caps: UP TO E15. My jaw dropped, and I turned around to face my friend in their car. At that moment, the boys pulled back into the parking lot with a few extra empty gas gallons and a siphon. Before they could start siphoning anything out of my tank, I meekly pointed at the gas cap, to which they all collectively lost their minds. 

“Hmm, what does that read, Abby? Hm? HM? I think it means your car is fine!”

I ended up driving back to campus at 10 mph with my emergency lights on, still scared of the gas in my car. What was supposed to be a quick 10-minute gas break ended up turning into a 2-hour fiasco that dragged five extra people into my anxiety. Despite making two of the guys who helped me out late for their curfew, worrying the staff of the gas station and almost missing my homework deadline, I took the whole situation as a sign that I needed to take a break. Looking back, it reminds me of a phrase my dad always told me before I went to sleep as a kid: 일어나서 해, (ireonasuh hae) meaning, “Do it after you wake up.” After all, gas is gas at the end of the day, and there will always be opportunities for you to refuel—even if you’re like me and think it’s the wrong kind. 

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons