Flex Fuel @ $2.39 vs. Regular $3.69, what would you do?

[Adieu]

CA, so probably no low temps issues...

Also, seems local regs mean it is actually E80 max for "winter months"

...thoughts?

PS '09 5.4l triton FFV, 177k mi

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

E-85 (or E-80) ethanol fuel has about one-third less energy per gallon, vs. regular gasoline. Your fuel mileage will drop.

You could move to the Midwest where our regular (top tier) fuel just went up to $2.59 a gallon..... It does contain 10% ethanol.

 

[theoldwizard1]

E-85 (or E-80) ethanol fuel has about one-third less energy per gallon, vs. regular gasoline. Your fuel mileage will drop.

Mileage will drop 25-35%, do you are right on the edge of it being "cost effective".

 

[RustyOval]

If I see a $.60 difference in price, I go E85. A little less milage and a little more power.

 

[oldpaddy]

Yikes. And I thought $2.71 was bad for a gallon of 87 where I live.

 

[oldpaddy]

If I see a $.60 difference in price, I go E85. A little less milage and a little more power.

Ethanol supplies more power? I would've thought it was the opposite.

 

[Adieu]

Ethanol supplies more power? I would've thought it was the opposite.

It's higher octane equivalent... on a properly functioning FFV that can adjust to it, that amounts to higher consumption (lower MPG) but more oomph

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ethanol supplies more power? I would've thought it was the opposite.

Ethanol does NOT supply more power but it does allow more turbo boost !

 

[Adieu]

Ethanol does NOT supply more power but it does allow more turbo boost !

Tell that to NA V8 drivers...

Runs quieter, revs better. Got a couple buddies with Suburbans, they say the same thing.

 

[JExpedition07]

lol

 

[ExplorerTom]

Ethanol does NOT supply more power but it does allow more turbo boost !

It also takes more energy to bring a gallon of E-85 to market than the gallon of E-85 produces- all the fuel for the tractors, the energy required to distill the corn into alcohol, the fuel required to bring it to the station........

But it's heavily subsidized.

 

[RustyOval]

It is very possible I was wrong in my post of more power, I could have sworn I read that somewhere reputable. In any case my 09 runs great on it albeit a few less miles per gallon. I filled up today with E85 at $2.09 / gal.

I was told today by a fellow ford owner that the oil needs to be changed sooner/ more often when running E85, any trooth to this? I have never heard it before....

 

[RustyOval]

I did a little more searching and I found this info on horsepower and torque for a 5.4 on gas / E85. This is from consumer Guide Auto this data is for a 2009 F150

ohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.4/330
Engine HP 310-320
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 365-390
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 

[07xln]

It is very possible I was wrong in my post of more power, I could have sworn I read that somewhere reputable. In any case my 09 runs great on it albeit a few less miles per gallon. I filled up today with E85 at $2.09 / gal.

I was told today by a fellow ford owner that the oil needs to be changed sooner/ more often when running E85, any trooth to this? I have never heard it before....

Yes that is the truth. Ethanol will thin out the oil and make it lose it lubricity. If you’re going to run it full time I would use a good synthetic oil and change it every 3000 miles

I run it full time in my CTSV and stick to 3000 mile change intervals and run Redline oil.

 

[Dorzak]

Yikes. And I thought $2.71 was bad for a gallon of 87 where I live.

Cheapest I can find is $3.21

 

[oldpaddy]

Cheapest I can find is $3.21

That's highway robbery!

 

[Adieu]

That's highway robbery!

Welcome to PRC

 

[cmiles97]

That's highway robbery!

I bet the difference is all in taxes. Gotta pay for the sanctuary