Flex Fuel Trip
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Freshman User
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Flex Fuel Trip
Hey all,
Just a report.... I drove from OKC to Denver yesterday in my 06 FX4 Crew, and I tried to fill up with E85 in OKC but they have 0 gas stations that carry it. But I did fill up in Hayes, KS with E85 and finished the trip to Denver. The truck drove just like it did with unleaded fuel at interstate speeds. I had no changes in the way the engine sounded or seemed to handle the rolling hills coming into Colorado. The only thing I noticed was the truck seemed to consume the E85 significantly faster than it did the gasoline. Now I was driving through rain and with a bit of a head wind, but I used nearly 26 gallons going 370 miles. That doesnt seem quite right. So Im gonna do a bit more research on the E85 to see if thats normal.
Anyone else seen something similar? Is it just the weather I ran into that killed the mpg's? Also, I have an Edge tuner, but I returned the truck to stock settings before running the tank of E85, has anyone run the Edge tuner with E85?
THanks for any info,
V10nAZ
Just a report.... I drove from OKC to Denver yesterday in my 06 FX4 Crew, and I tried to fill up with E85 in OKC but they have 0 gas stations that carry it. But I did fill up in Hayes, KS with E85 and finished the trip to Denver. The truck drove just like it did with unleaded fuel at interstate speeds. I had no changes in the way the engine sounded or seemed to handle the rolling hills coming into Colorado. The only thing I noticed was the truck seemed to consume the E85 significantly faster than it did the gasoline. Now I was driving through rain and with a bit of a head wind, but I used nearly 26 gallons going 370 miles. That doesnt seem quite right. So Im gonna do a bit more research on the E85 to see if thats normal.
Anyone else seen something similar? Is it just the weather I ran into that killed the mpg's? Also, I have an Edge tuner, but I returned the truck to stock settings before running the tank of E85, has anyone run the Edge tuner with E85?
THanks for any info,
V10nAZ
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Denver, CO
Originally Posted by V10nAZ
Anyone else seen something similar? Is it just the weather I ran into that killed the mpg's? Also, I have an Edge tuner, but I returned the truck to stock settings before running the tank of E85, has anyone run the Edge tuner with E85?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Mmmmm. Roasted corn.
Yes, when using the E85, you will see a loss in MPG. But like was stated, the money goes back to our farmers here in the US. I've been looking for a station that carries E85, but haven't found one around. I do a bunch of highway driving (about 60-75%) during the week and would like to see if it is cost effective or not. I'm averaging about 16-17mpg right now.
Yes, when using the E85, you will see a loss in MPG. But like was stated, the money goes back to our farmers here in the US. I've been looking for a station that carries E85, but haven't found one around. I do a bunch of highway driving (about 60-75%) during the week and would like to see if it is cost effective or not. I'm averaging about 16-17mpg right now.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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You'll definitely see a little drop in mpg. Using your numbers you were at about 14.25 mpg. Rain, high humidity, and head wind will all cut some mpg.
Is this a true FFV truck? or are you just putting the E85 in a regular truck? Between me and my friends running E85 in non FFV vehicles for the past several years, we've typically seen about an 18-20% drop in mpg. In my car which is specifically tuned for E85, it has been closer to 5-7% drop. I could probably get closer to 0, or even a little positive with some mechanical work like higher compression ratio and a better sized turbo.
Is this a true FFV truck? or are you just putting the E85 in a regular truck? Between me and my friends running E85 in non FFV vehicles for the past several years, we've typically seen about an 18-20% drop in mpg. In my car which is specifically tuned for E85, it has been closer to 5-7% drop. I could probably get closer to 0, or even a little positive with some mechanical work like higher compression ratio and a better sized turbo.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I find that using E-85 consitently, will reward you with milage close, (within 15% of gasoline). But to just use it in now and again gives bad milage. The PCM on the newer F-150's will adjust it's self for fuel differences. But it just does it over average fuel, and use.
At least this is what I have been figuring out latley.
We now have three E-85 stations, around my town. So I seek them out to fuel up. I am sure my MPG is still less, but over all, with gas still near 3 bucks a gallon, I am at least breaking even, and maybe saving a few pennies.
For me, it is just this simple. I would rather give my money to farmers, rather than, to middle east muslims, that have a propensity to cut american heads off!
Rick
At least this is what I have been figuring out latley.
We now have three E-85 stations, around my town. So I seek them out to fuel up. I am sure my MPG is still less, but over all, with gas still near 3 bucks a gallon, I am at least breaking even, and maybe saving a few pennies.
For me, it is just this simple. I would rather give my money to farmers, rather than, to middle east muslims, that have a propensity to cut american heads off!
Rick
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THanks,
To answer a previous question, yes, my truck is a FFV. This was my first tank with the E85 so I guess I need to give the computer a chance to get used to the difference. I have 1 station in my town but its right down the street, and I called them the other day to check the price and the lady told me about a sale theyre having on Aug 31 for 2 hours, they are selling the E85 for .85 a gallon. Looking forward to filling up the truck for less than $30 WOO HOO!! Its gonna be like its 1997 again.
Anyway, Ill run a couple more tanks, and get back with you guys.
1 more question before I leave.....Can I even use the Edge programmer and run E85??!!
To answer a previous question, yes, my truck is a FFV. This was my first tank with the E85 so I guess I need to give the computer a chance to get used to the difference. I have 1 station in my town but its right down the street, and I called them the other day to check the price and the lady told me about a sale theyre having on Aug 31 for 2 hours, they are selling the E85 for .85 a gallon. Looking forward to filling up the truck for less than $30 WOO HOO!! Its gonna be like its 1997 again.
Anyway, Ill run a couple more tanks, and get back with you guys.
1 more question before I leave.....Can I even use the Edge programmer and run E85??!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 220
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From: Texas
I've read E85 has less sulfur then gasoline...General Motors initial testing states flex fuel engines using E85 might even last longer then engines running solely on gasoline. Real world averages will eventually tell. I personally doubt there is much difference in longevity if any at all.
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New User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Cincinnati
I would like to know about this too, I have an 07 with an Evolution and I was wondering how it would effect my motor running e85 with it on level 3
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Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
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From: League City, TX
I've been tracking and posting my mileage graphs since I got my truck (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...g-results.html). I ran E85 through a few tanks and was getting about 9.5mpg with mixed driving. Your highway results of 14.25 a consistent with what I would expect. I read several post where it's mentioned that the PCM "needs time to adjust to E85" but I don't think this is the case. The PCM is essentially a positive feedback system that relies on input from several sensors, so the changes should be immediate based on what the sensors pickup and report back to the PCM.
My results show a 27% decrement with E85, but that's when compared to the reformulated unleaded we use here in Houston (10% ETOH). If it were just plane ol' regular unleaded it would probably closer to 20%.
My results show a 27% decrement with E85, but that's when compared to the reformulated unleaded we use here in Houston (10% ETOH). If it were just plane ol' regular unleaded it would probably closer to 20%.
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I called Edge, and they couldnt offer me any information about running any program with the E85 because they havent tested the module with that particular fuel. Im curious how the truck would run the 100 octane E85 with any of the programs.
New User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Cincinnati
Originally Posted by V10nAZ
I called Edge, and they couldnt offer me any information about running any program with the E85 because they havent tested the module with that particular fuel. Im curious how the truck would run the 100 octane E85 with any of the programs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Phoenix, AZ
there are a crapload of E85 stations around me... but my truck isn't FFV... go figure 
if only the JLT/bama chips xcal2 came with an E85 tune, i'd be all over that like stickers on a honda...
and if the mustang wasn't maxing out it's injectors, i'd be all over that one too... :P
if only the JLT/bama chips xcal2 came with an E85 tune, i'd be all over that like stickers on a honda...
and if the mustang wasn't maxing out it's injectors, i'd be all over that one too... :P
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
I dont see any advantage to E85 fuel, it takes way more than Gas to go the same distance.Not to mention driving beef ,pork and poultry prices through the roof! Livestock producers cant afford to feed corn anymore, A significant portion of the corn crop is going to alcohol production, if it was Bourbon I wouldnt complain, but inefficient fuel?. I love a good steak, so I better get them now, I guess we can say by by to corn fed beef!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Seems like E85's only advantage is that if you're sensitive to the issues surrounding fossil fuel consumption, it may be for you. Understand that the majority of U.S. imported oil does not come from the Middle East. As a percentage, around 17% (2005) of U.S. oil imports come from Persian Gulf nations. U.S. DOE keeps tabs and posts info online for all to peruse. Some financial analysts claim that our high gas prices are more a product of limited U.S. refining capacity than rising international oil prices.
Personally I'm inclined to experiment with E85, but I've never seen a station in my area that carries it.
Added:
Normally I'd say avoid Wikipedia at all costs, but their E85 article is an interesting read for anyone (like me) who has no knowledge on the subject. They even cite an alleged test from Ohio showing an approximate 25% reduction in fuel efficiency (mpg).
Added 2:
Dang, they're putting E85 in a brand-new Shell around the corner from my house. I'll try it out and add my 3 cents later.
Personally I'm inclined to experiment with E85, but I've never seen a station in my area that carries it.
Added:
Normally I'd say avoid Wikipedia at all costs, but their E85 article is an interesting read for anyone (like me) who has no knowledge on the subject. They even cite an alleged test from Ohio showing an approximate 25% reduction in fuel efficiency (mpg).
Added 2:
Dang, they're putting E85 in a brand-new Shell around the corner from my house. I'll try it out and add my 3 cents later.
Last edited by Big Daddy 18C; Jul 29, 2007 at 10:14 PM.