[QUOTE=Ken00][QUOTE=Ponyracer]any time you use an alternative fuel in your FFV vehicle you need to change the oil to the FFV compatible. Check with your owners manual and read up on the FFV. I worked at a dealership for 11 years and am very familiar with the FFV vehicles.
I agree with Ken00, we must have the same owners manual.

 

I am trying to research the information I had, should be posting tomorrow

 

With the nasty increases in gasoline prices I finally decided to try Ethanol in my '99 Ranger 4x4, 3.0L Flexi-Fuel. To my surprise, I found out like many of you, that there are very few locations that actually sell E85. I live in Arizona and there is only one retailer in the entire state. I lucked out ,this retailer happens to be located close to where I work. Thought I would pass along a website address that will help locate retail locations nationwide by individual state. Check it out at: http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php

Prior to switching over to E85 my truck would typically get 20 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving on 87 octane gasoline. While using Ethanol I have actually seen a decrese in mileage of about 3-4 mpg. Compared to the regular unleaded, the "operating cost" while using E85 is about equal to Regular unleaded due to the decrease in mileage seen with the E85. In my area the cost of Ethanol is $1.82 versus $2.29 for regular unleaded or $2.39 for 89 octane. In the hotter months I'm forced to use 89 octane, due to increased pinging/detonation so Im actually ahead with the ethanol. The E85 has an octane rating of 94 and it burns cooler therefore it eliminates the pinging/detonation.

On the up side there is NO lack of performance with the ethanol. I really like the way the truck runs. It feels strong, no hesitation or flat spots noticed during acceleration. I'm no chemist but my guess is that the Ethanol produces less BTU's therefore less energy, so it takes more fuel to perform the same amount of work. Bottom line, if you can find it, go ahead and use it you won't be disappointed.

 

WOW! That is exactly what I wanted to hear from someone. I am glad you tried it and you were impressed. Thanks for your input! I am still yet to try E85, but am eager to see what happens when I do. THANKS ranger guy!

 

I live in south dakota and I have run ethanol (10%) for years

I have never notice much difference in gas mileage

Ethanol burns cleaner but it is a bit less combustable. My vehicles never had

any problems mechanically!!

MOre and more places wiil put in E85 and it is good for the US economy

and not for the mideast nutcases

 

Does your oil break down faster or what? There is a place that has e85 about 45 miles from here and I would like to try it out just to see how much better the ranger will run. If I just run one tank thru it will that do any damage to the oil? Thanks for any info!

 

I don't think the E85 will have any affect on your oil.

 

I llive in the midwest and 10 % ethanol burns warmer than gasoline

That is why I dont use it in a lawn mower

So E-85 should be on the same lines. I not a scientist but the owner

manual probably recommends a thicker grade of oil -- how much difference

it makes that would be something to check with the manufactuer or owner

manual.

krash

 

actually, ethanol burns cooler since it does not produce as much energy.

 

Sounds like it has some kind of affect on something now don't it???

Why else would the smart guys on here tell us to check into getting the right oil put in if we are going to be useing it. I just want to know if I run one full tank in it will I have to get the oil changed? And why would they build a flex fuel ready system but not have a flex fuel ready fuel filter on it??? I don't think you will have to change your filter but I don't know I have been told just fuel and go but it don't sound like that is a good idea before changing the oil first. mcookd? Ponyracer? Can one of you tell me? Please.

mideast nutcases???????????? What's up with that?

 

I meant anytime we can use less foreign oil we dont have to support

other countries especially in the middele east

I would be surprised if you would nees to change the filter --

I guess I WILL SHUT UP

 

I found this on WWW.e85fuel.com

Why do ethanol vehicles require a certain type of motor oil? Does this refer to dedicated ethanol vehicles only?
Response:

Ford no longer requires the use of synthetic oil in the flexible fuel (FFV) Taurus when operated on either E85 or unleaded gasoline.

To the best of our knowledge, Chrysler does still require a special FFV engine oil. The concern here is that uncombusted ethanol (especially during rich cold start conditions) may migrate past the piston ring resulting in cylinder wall washing which reduces cylinder wall lubrication and could run down into the crankcase, diluting the engine oil.

While such occurrences are unlikely, the special engine oil adds an additional degree of protection until more field experience can be accumulated. These requirements apply to Chrysler FFV minivans if they are to be operated full- or part-time on E85.


I have to ask....It says Taurus, what about the Ranger would it be different??

I noticed on the ford website they don't but 3.0's in extened cab 4x4's (ranger) anymore. Anyone know why?

 

NO NO NO NO sorry dude I'm half asleep and I read midWEST not mideast............sorry my bad.......I will shut up now and go to bed!

 

The reason I said that is because I have a FF 3.0 and my owners manual / warranty book dosen't require any special oil.

 

According to TSB Article No. 02-1-9, Ford recommends Motorcraft's 5W-20, a premium semi-synthetic, for any '99 and newer FFVs, including those with the 3.0L, which is the same oil Ford recommends for standard gasoline 3.0L Vulcan engines.

However, for FFV vehicles older than '99, Ford apparantly recommends XO-10W30-FFV which obviously is a different oil.