Ah yeah that makes sense, easy mistake.

 

Your owners manual covers the topic. Page 213 in the 2024 PDF version of the manual.

Their verbiage in a nutshell would make me avoid it when possible.

 

You're right, that was my mistake. I see that's not part of the SD manual. At one time the severe use cycle was followed if using E85. Maybe over time they realized this wasn't necessary or these newer engines don't need that requirement. I haven't looked for years since I stopped using E85 altogether.

 

Filled up with E85 in the credit union’s 6.8 FF F250 for the first time. Also added 8oz of Lucas Oil SAFEGUARD Ethanol fuel treatment.

E85 was $2.99/gallon and Costco 87 unleaded is $5.09/gallon. I got 29.3 gallons for $87.61 plus $6.16 for the Lucas Oil = $93.78. The Costco cost would have been $149.14.

Besides the predicted MPG hit from the increased fuel rate on E85, this tank will take an additional MPG hit because my butt dyno detects more horsepower.

The California E85 supplier is Pearson Fuels.

 

I'm not a fan of ANY ethanol-blended fuel, let alone E15 or E85. Here in Texas, our pump standard is 10%, but we have a lot of non-eth pumps popping up... the demand is there. Unfortunately, so is the price... and for me, it doesn't make fiscal sense to run non-eth, although I have it for the motorcycles and small engines. Eth-blend fuel wrecked my carb on my XR650 some years ago, I had to buy a new one.

If you are burning through the fuel, E10 or E15 likely OK. Avoid fueling up at mom n pop stations... look for high volume (busy) stores where they turn over their fuel. I would not fill up on E15... and then park my truck for any length of time, without putting some sort of stabilizer in.

Two biggest issues with eth-blend fuel is....

1) As was mentioned, it's tendency to absorb moisture. That's what wrecked my motorcycle carb, that and the ethanol ate the o-rings.

2) Phase separation... where, in layman's terms, the gasoline separates from the ethanol, turning it into trash. Back when I worked in fuel dispatch, we were forever pumping out tanks where the fuel had gone into phase separation... customers filled up, and then their cars wouldn't run. There is a 7-eleven up the street from me that has 5 barrels of waste setting by the drops right now... very likely trash from the slow selling Premium tank that separated, and had to be pumped out.

 

I have a 2023 f150 that is E85 compatible and i run it 90 % of the time. I lose about 1.5 to 2 MPG. Truck has more power on E85 and it is over a dollar cheaper than reg gas where i live. It also has a very high octane around 105.