E85 - is it better?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 96
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E85 - is it better?
Does anyone have a gas station that sells E85 in there town and do they use it in there flex-fuel rated F150? We just got one here in Mobile, AL. I have always heard that E85 decreases performance, mpg, and also dirties the engine. My wife went by the station this week and the guy there told her that E85 and/or regular gas with 10% ethanol burns cleaner than regular gas. I was under the impression that this is a false statement.. Can anyone confirm this information. If this is true i would like to start using it since it is $0.30 cheaper.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
I get about 9.5 mpg on E85 and it's $.50 cheaper here at my local station. I don't run it regularly b/c the cost/mile is still more than running unleaded with 10% ETOH. As far as the your other questions, it's a matter of debate. It is suppose to lower emissions, although there are well documented claims to the contrary.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
The guy at the station is like the farmers pushing it: they have a financial motivation. Nothing wrong with being financially motivated, but take that into consideration. Its like a vinyl siding guy telling you vinyl siding is the best thing for your home and a brick guy telling you brick is the best for your home. Even the US government acknowledges a big decrease in mileage with it.
Now, saying it decreases emissions is somewhat misleading because while E85 burns 15-20% cleaner than gas it is 25-30% less efficient so it actually increases emissions.
Now, saying it decreases emissions is somewhat misleading because while E85 burns 15-20% cleaner than gas it is 25-30% less efficient so it actually increases emissions.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
Doing some quick calculations it looks like the break even point for E85 is $.80. That is, at a national average of $3.67/gallon of E10, E85 would need to be $2.87 for the cost/mile to be equal.
I had to use my trucks mileage of roughly 12.5 mpg on E10 and 9.5 on E85.
I had to use my trucks mileage of roughly 12.5 mpg on E10 and 9.5 on E85.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
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From: Indiana Cornfields
Wow. E85 here in Indiana is running around 2.75 or less and has been as low as 2.50 last week. I only get about 1.5 mpg less than gas when using it in my mom's Explorer. I like ethanol personally. I think the explorer runs a little smoother
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
Yeah, I'd have no problem running it if the numbers added up. It will never be that low in this neck of the woods until they build a switch grass ethanol plant in the southern climes. It's too costly to truck ETOH and it really can't be piped long distances without high pressure or additives.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Indiana Cornfields
Ya I had heard that it had to be shipped by truck down there. That has to add up. A couple of years ago it was running about the same price as gas, but I think we now have 18 or 20 ethanol plants in state. That makes shipping pretty easy around us. I'd like to see them build some switch grass plants down there and see what people think about it.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
I found it not worth the money...
I used E85 for a couple of months averaging 9.5 to 10.5 mpg at a cost of $3.25/gal vs $3.85/gal for 87 octane. I discovered that it cost me considerably more to use the E85 than 87 octane even if the 87 was at $4.00/gal.
Here's my quick math...
E85
200 Miles / 10 mpg x $3.25 = $65.00
to go the same distance on 87 octane...
87 Octane
200 Miles / 15 mpg x $4.00 = $53.33 (saving $11.67 every 200 miles)
I check mileage wth each tank full with mixed driving (city/highway) I consistantly get 15.0 mpg on 87 octane and during the 2 months of using E85 (16 tanks) my average was 10 mpg.
Here's my quick math...
E85
200 Miles / 10 mpg x $3.25 = $65.00
to go the same distance on 87 octane...
87 Octane
200 Miles / 15 mpg x $4.00 = $53.33 (saving $11.67 every 200 miles)
I check mileage wth each tank full with mixed driving (city/highway) I consistantly get 15.0 mpg on 87 octane and during the 2 months of using E85 (16 tanks) my average was 10 mpg.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
From: On a farm.
One point not made is that not just any truck can use E85, only those with Flex Fuel capability (with that nifty FFV badge). Most cars and trucks can use E10, many as much as E15.Old stuff... say pre-'80s... now there's trouble brewing. Even E10 is causing problems with many older cars and trucks. It hasn't been much of a problem until lately, when you have no choice. The ethanol is very hard on old style fuel systems.
I just started researching what would be involved in converting a non-FFV vehicle ('05 F-150) into a dual fuel. Not with one of those aftermarket kits but with either factory parts or something custom built. I'm not all that hot on E85 (even though I am a part-time farmer) but, like it or not, it seems to be coming down the tracks. Might as well use it if the numbers crunch. Around here, NW Ohio, they don't. Yet.
I just started researching what would be involved in converting a non-FFV vehicle ('05 F-150) into a dual fuel. Not with one of those aftermarket kits but with either factory parts or something custom built. I'm not all that hot on E85 (even though I am a part-time farmer) but, like it or not, it seems to be coming down the tracks. Might as well use it if the numbers crunch. Around here, NW Ohio, they don't. Yet.
Sick 'n Tired
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 47
From: League City, TX
