E85 Fuel

[Genie]

I have a flex fuel vehicle and see that the price of E85 fuel is more than a $1 less than regular unleaded.  I've never used E85.  Does anyone have any experience with it or would anyone recommend using it.

There has to be some performance or some kind of difference. 

Thanks,
-Genie

[Slipkey]

There's a huge mileage hit - more on highway miles than in town miles, though. Mine accepts it too, but I never use it as I figure that, even though my engine *can* handle it, it was designed and vetted with gasoline and I don't trust that it *should* handle it. Ethanol is 25-30% less efficient, mileage-wise, because it burns faster.

[oldjigger]

I drive a bow tie and the service manager told me to go ahead and run e85 I buy it at the plant in woodbury which just went to 2.55 and I see 15% LESS MILEAGE  but runs great

[fuzzygrub1611]

DO NOT USE E85!!! It has been shown to eat fuel lines and fittings. This info comes from a Ford employee who help design their system.

[djkimmel]

I thought if a vehicle is designed for flex fuel things like lines and fittings are designed (larger, maybe different material?) to handle the ethanol? I also thought the main issue would be if you aren't burning the fuel very fast it attract more water through condensation but if you don't let is sit for very long you shouldn't have to generally worry about that?

I have seen some mileage comparisons that show the price difference has to be fairly good to account for the loss in fuel efficiency. I would think a dollar a gallon cheaper is over that threshold a little but... is it over enough to warrant any possible extra risk?

Would it be making sure the octane level is within your vehicle manufacturer's recommended range, and the manufacturer states E85 is okay for your vehicle?

Maybe try a tank without trying to pull the boat first? Make sure you are doing the same driving pattern as your last tank, and you know how far you went on the last tank?

I've been getting email lately about issues surrounding E85 and other ethanol blends, and the marine industry but I'm not as up on that topic as I probably need to be yet.

[Genie]

I think I'll just try a tank and give my report.

[Skulley]

I work for a major auto company and the guys in the fuel lab do not recommend it. My daughter drives a flex fuel vehicle and ran E85 a few times. It burns very fast and she lost mileage. She hasn't run it since because she calculated that she really wasn't saving any money. She runs regular unleaded and performance was also better with regular gas.  As far as parts are concerned, I have seen no conclusive data that lines and other components are harmed from its use at least not in Chrysler's. I personally would never run E85 but I don't own any flex fuel vehicles having a 03 Ram 1500, a 2012 Ram 2500, and a 2013 AWD Dodge Charger SRT.








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