Somewhere between rising fuel prices, longer commutes, and the strange feeling that $40 now disappears in two days of driving, a growing number of drivers are convinced that something at the gas pump has fundamentally changed. One TikToker says he knows exactly what it is and wants drivers to prepare for the worst.
A popular clip from automotive-minded creator PokeChop (@poke_chop_) claims to set the record straight about changes in fuel requirements since the start of the war against Iran. The TLDR of it all is that older cars not engineered for ethanol fuel blends may be headed to the scrap yard in a hurry.
“It is going to be very bad for people who drive older cars,” he said in the clip that’s been viewed more than 9 million times. “If you happen to drive what society would label a beater … your car is going to start to fall apart very quickly.”
Why Does Gas Suddenly Not Last As Long?
Over the course of the video, PokeChop pulls the curtain back on an increasingly ominous explanation for why drivers suddenly feel like their gas tanks are draining faster than ever. He claims Congress quietly approved year-round E15 gasoline nationwide, argues companies have already been increasing ethanol levels behind the scenes for months, and ties everything from rough idle problems to suddenly unpredictable fuel gauges back to ethanol-blended fuel.
