Hi,

I got an 07 SCAB FX2 FFV and I just filled up with a tank full of E85. Wow it was cheap compared to the unleaded regular fuel real cheap like $1.59 compared to $2.14 a gallon (DFW Texas). I got a little over 2000 miles on the truck and this is the first time I have ran into the fuel. Seems it is finally being made more available.

My question is has or does anyone else use it exclusively, and if so are there or were there any noticable problems. I know that if you use E85 more than 50% of the time you have to change your oil and filter every 3000 miles (as per the owners manual).

To early for me to tell yet, but I'll keep you all posted. It was a breath of fresh air for the old wallet though I am serious.

 

cool, we have one pump in my area and i'm going to go check it out saturday and see what the price is there.....

 

The only drawback based on what I've seen on the boards (I don't have a flex fuel engine so I don't have personal experience with E85), is that you will probably lose 3 to 5 mpg in fuel mileage. Others with firsthand experience will probably chime in with further information.

 

How do you know if you have the Flex Fuel Engine? I have the 04 5.4 3v....

 

Check your VIN. I don't know exactly which one is the FFV, but it will tell you.

Around northern Kentucky we are starting to get more E85. One of the local Krogers is dropping diesel for E85.

Mike

 

I am pretty sure if the 8th place of your VIN is a "V" you have Flex Fuel.

 

If you are an Archer Daniels Midland fan keep buying their corn juice. They are the only ones who are going to profit in the end. The farmers and communities who are investing in ethanol production are going to ride a short, small wave before it crashs into the beach. You have an energy penalty of 26% on E-85. At $1.58/gallon the fuels appear to be an equal buy in your area. You did not save any money. That does not include the tax breaks awarded by the federal and state governments for the growing of the corn and the production of the ethanol. The country did not really 'save' any energy because ethanol uses more energy/gallon to produce than it saves. This is your tax dollars at work. You are also going to be hit again on meat products and corn products due to corn prices of $4.00+ per bushel. If you like to hunt on CRP land, that is already disappearing. If you want to buy a piece of marginal land you will see the price rising daily as the trend in corn prices make it worthwhile to cover it with chemicals to raise some corn. We do have an energy problem and we do need alternative sources. Ethanol is not one of them. Right now ethanol is "Mom, apple pie and Chevrolet". It feels good to buy yellow because it seems painless and we feel good doing it. The advertisements and lobbying have done their job. Remember what happened to Chevrolet!

 

The only thing I have heard of from those using E85 is lower fuel mileage and less performance. Your price was pretty substantial, as compared to no lead. Most of those who I spoke to the differnce in price was not as big and therefore even though somewhat less the loss of mileage per gallon produced no savings at all.

Let us know with that price how you come out in the end!

 

Good for you Sarge! You also can be happy that 85% of the money you spent to fuel your truck stayed right here in the good old USA, and didn't go over to the Arabs to buy guns and ammo. And like GlenJ said it is about a wash as far as price per gallon vs fuel economy goes.

I have burned E-10 exclusively for several years in all my gas powered vehicles and air cooled engines incl motorcycle. Keep as much of our fuel money in America as we can. I just wish Ford would come out with a E-85 V-10 motor and a conversion package for old V-10's. It is good for our country! I'd love to see the day come when we can tell those Arab Sheiks to keep their oil and brush their teeth in it.

 

I agree, it is about a wash as far fuel economy vs. price per gallon. My '06 5.4 Screw loses about 2 mpg when I'm using E-85 but I think it's well worth it to keep the money in the USA like what "4wd" said. As far as loss of performance I haven't seen any loss of performance whatsoever. HTH

Robbie

 

I have a relative that comes to my state of Florida every year for 3 months, he is from NY which is a partial E state, Florida is not, he insists he is getting better mileage down here and his car ( 2005 Chrysler 300 C Hemi) runs better than back at home. I informed him Fla does not have E fuels as of yet and he was surprised.

BTW ethanol is causing many problems in the marine industry!

 

yeah, thats the way i look at it too...even if it's the same price and i lose 2 mpg i'd rather pay that and keep the money here and support our country than send my money to big oil companies taht make trillions....screw them....

 

So can anyone tell me if this is flex fuel ?

1FTPX14544NB35934

 

VIN 1FTPX14544NB35934
Year/Make/Model: 2004 FORD F150
Body Style: 4 DOOR EXTENDED CAB PICKUP
Engine Type: 5.4L V8 FI SOHC
Manufactured In: UNITED STATES
Search Results: 6 records found in our database

looks like it isn't....if it was it would be 5.4L v8 FFV SOHC

 

If you still have your window sticker, its says it on the very top if you do or dont.

This is from mine

2006 F-150 4x4 SUPERCAB
XLT 145" WB STYLESIDE
5.4L FFV V8 ENINGE
ELECTRONIC 4-SPD AUTO O/D

If it is not Flex fuel it will have EFI in place of FFV