ASTM D5797-21 - 1.10.2021
 
1. Scope

1.1?This specification covers the requirements for automotive fuel blends of methanol and gasoline for use in ground vehicles equipped with methanol-capable flexible-fuel, and dedicated methanol spark-ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains 51 % to 85 % by volume methanol. This fuel is sometimes referred to at retail as M85. Appendix X1 discusses the significance of the properties specified. Appendix X2 presents the current status in the development of a luminosity test procedure (flame visibility) for methanol fuel blends (M51M85).

1.2?The vapor pressure of methanol fuel blends is varied for seasonal climatic changes. Vapor pressure is increased at lower temperatures to ensure adequate vehicle operability and safety. Methanol content and selection of gasoline blendstocks are adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure requirements.

1.3?The United States government has established various programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of alternative fuel used by these programs can be more or less restrictive than the requirements of this specification. See Annex A1 for additional information on alternative fuels containing methanol.

1.4?The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.4.1?ExceptionNon-SI units are provided for information only. In most cases, U.S. federal regulations specify non-SI units.

1.5?The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portionsAppendix X2 of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6?This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D7920-21

Standard Test Method for Determination of Fuel Methanol (M99) and Methanol Fuel Blends (M10 to M99) by Gas Chromatography

E203-24

Standard Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration

D7757-22

Standard Test Method for Silicon in Gasoline and Related Products by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D5453-25

Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Spark Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel Engine Fuel, and Engine Oil by Ultraviolet Fluorescence

D7328-23

Standard Test Method for Determination of Existent and Potential Inorganic Sulfate and Total Inorganic Chloride in Fuel Ethanol by Ion Chromatography Using Aqueous Sample Injection

D5191-22

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels (Mini Method)

D7667-21

Standard Test Method for Determination of Corrosiveness to Silver by Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel—Thin Silver Strip Method

D7671-21

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Silver by Automotive Spark–Ignition Engine Fuel–Silver Strip Method

D525-12a(2025)

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method) (Includes all amendments and changes 12/24/2025).

D4057-22

Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4953-20

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Gasoline and Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends (Dry Method)

D5059-26

Standard Test Methods for Lead and Manganese in Gasoline by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

D5798-25

Standard Specification for Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines

D5854-25

Standard Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4175-24e1

Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants (Includes all amendments and changes 11/19/2024).

D4177-22e1

Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 3/24/2023).

D4306-20

Standard Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace Contamination

D4806-25

Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol

D4814-25a

Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel (Includes all amendments and changes 12/24/2025).

D86-23ae2

Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Includes all amendments and changes 11/4/2024).

D381-25

Standard Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

D1266-18

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Lamp Method) (Withdrawn 2025)

D1613-17(2023)

Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products

D130-26

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test

D3231-25

Standard Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline