Embarrassing question: What Gas? (87/e85)?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 2
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Embarrassing question: What Gas? (87/e85)?
So I've owned 4-5 F250's at this point, always been a diesel guy. Last night I got a 2021 F-250, gas engine (6.2). I read through the owners manual, it was going on about "E85" (I'm in california if this matters). The cap on my tank is yellow. So when I open up gas buddy and search "e85", this gas is going for $2.99/gal. Yet, 85-87 is going for $4.89+. I guess my question is, can my truck use either or? If I could use the e85, should I?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 224
Likes: 109
So I've owned 4-5 F250's at this point, always been a diesel guy. Last night I got a 2021 F-250, gas engine (6.2). I read through the owners manual, it was going on about "E85" (I'm in california if this matters). The cap on my tank is yellow. So when I open up gas buddy and search "e85", this gas is going for $2.99/gal. Yet, 85-87 is going for $4.89+. I guess my question is, can my truck use either or? If I could use the e85, should I?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
I have never owned anything that runs on e85 but here is a thread talking about it. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-fuel-e85.html
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2023
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Yeah I googled it shortly after posting this. I guess the truck would suffer, and it possibly causes problems down the road. I suppose I'll just be grateful to have gas at -$1 less per gallon lol, and just stick with that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 250
The manual used to say that if E85 was used most of the time that you needed to run a tank or two of regular gas through every few thousand miles. I know with an old F150 we had E85 needed to be at least $.50/gallon cheaper just to break even because of the mileage loss. that was in 2007 though so maybe the trucks are more efficient with E85 now.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Southern Crescent
You might want to run 2 tanks of E85 and then one of 87. That should keep the fuel system happy. Real gasoline contains additives that are good for the rubber parts of the fuel system. I wish the 7.3 were Flex Fuel, it would perform better on the 10% ethanol blend we use here and it would be somewhat future proof.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 54
From: NW Nebraska Sandhills
In my opinion, there should be zero concerns with using E85 in a flex fuel vehicle, otherwise why would they be designated as flex fuel vehicles? And while I didn’t run any numbers, I believe your gas mileage would have to suffer pretty significantly before the advantage wouldn’t pencil out when there’s $2.00/gallon difference in price. We have a 2011 Mercury Milan which is flex fuel capable. I tried E85 in it once, and the gas mileage did suffer, but I believe that at the time there was only a $.50/gallon difference in price, it wouldn’t pencil, and I’ve never tried it again. That was on a trip, and E85 isn’t available where we live, so it’s pretty much a non issue. But if I had regular, everyday access to it at a $2.00/gallon discount, I’d darn sure be running an experiment with it at least.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,354
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From: SW VA
You might want to run 2 tanks of E85 and then one of 87. That should keep the fuel system happy. Real gasoline contains additives that are good for the rubber parts of the fuel system. I wish the 7.3 were Flex Fuel, it would perform better on the 10% ethanol blend we use here and it would be somewhat future proof.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,172
Likes: 1,376
From: Chaz
So contrary to what anyone says or the manual I would stick with whatever you are running.
Getting in the low teens mpg is normal for these trucks. I wouldn’t sweat loosing 1-2mpg.
$4.89 at 12mpg is 8.33 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $40.73
$2.99 at 10mpg is 10 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $29.99.
Saves about $160 a month if you drive 1500 miles a month.
20% may be overly pessimistic because I do not remember a change that drastic or a change at all. It always stayed at 10.X mpg. That 20% would be your worst case scenario.
If you need to run some gas through it make sure its empty and vice versa.
Getting in the low teens mpg is normal for these trucks. I wouldn’t sweat loosing 1-2mpg.
$4.89 at 12mpg is 8.33 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $40.73
$2.99 at 10mpg is 10 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $29.99.
Saves about $160 a month if you drive 1500 miles a month.
20% may be overly pessimistic because I do not remember a change that drastic or a change at all. It always stayed at 10.X mpg. That 20% would be your worst case scenario.
If you need to run some gas through it make sure its empty and vice versa.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 779
Likes: 427
I run a 30% mix of E85 and 91 octane in my BMW turbo cars, and it is magic sauce for huge HP . Street driven normally aspirated won't get much benefit, and gas mileage will be down 20%, negating some of the cost savings.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 72
From: SW Cook County, Illinois
So contrary to what anyone says or the manual I would stick with whatever you are running.
Getting in the low teens mpg is normal for these trucks. I wouldn’t sweat loosing 1-2mpg.
$4.89 at 12mpg is 8.33 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $40.73
$2.99 at 10mpg is 10 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $29.99.
Saves about $160 a month if you drive 1500 miles a month.
20% may be overly pessimistic because I do not remember a change that drastic or a change at all. It always stayed at 10.X mpg. That 20% would be your worst case scenario.
If you need to run some gas through it make sure its empty and vice versa.
Getting in the low teens mpg is normal for these trucks. I wouldn’t sweat loosing 1-2mpg.
$4.89 at 12mpg is 8.33 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $40.73
$2.99 at 10mpg is 10 gallons burned every 100 miles. For $29.99.
Saves about $160 a month if you drive 1500 miles a month.
20% may be overly pessimistic because I do not remember a change that drastic or a change at all. It always stayed at 10.X mpg. That 20% would be your worst case scenario.
If you need to run some gas through it make sure its empty and vice versa.
Joe,
You did an awesome job of simplifying the math with your example!
You must be a teacher?
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,172
Likes: 1,376
From: Chaz
Oh thanks! No I just pass some time by posting on some forums I have hobbies in, I dont have cable tv so I get some spare time.
I do run some construction crews so maybe that has taught me how to lay out clear communication.
I do run some construction crews so maybe that has taught me how to lay out clear communication.