I just picked up a new 2010 f150 to use as a dd and tow rig for the other truck and im in love with it. Has anyone ran E85 in their trucks and what did it do to your fuel mileage? How did it run? I would assume it would get less considering you use more of it than regular gas. Do you need to run to almost empty before filling it up with E85? I would think having half 87 and half E would cause issues is why I ask. I thought about trying it but wanted some feedback before I did.

 

The way it's tuned and set up, you will have a bit more power with E85 than you do on gas, but the gas mileage will be pretty bad. It doesn't matter what mixture you put in, the system has sensors to measure the ethanol % and adjust things accordingly.

 

I think someone that runs E85 regularly on here should chime in. Most usually run one tank, experience bad mileage and stop using it, the trucks computer doesn't get time to make any adjustments. So using it longer may not be as bad as some think. Id use it regularly but ya can't find the stuff here in southern cali anywhere.

 

The adjustments should be almost instantaneous. However, the exact amount of lost mileage does vary from vehicle to vehicle, the numbers I see are anywhere from 7% to 30%.

 

I'm curious about this too. They just got E85 at the gas station I go to on a regular basis and I wonder if I should try it.

 

Might as well - it won't hurt. How much cheaper than 87 is it there?

 

It's $2.19 for E85 and $2.85 for 87 w/ 10% Ethanol near me. I saw the advertised Ethanol mileage somewhere. It's 10 City, 13 highway vs. 14 City, 18 highway for the 5.4L engine.

 

With that kind of price spread, E85 would be more cost-effective.

 

If you figure the higher side (city) of MPG for a whole tank figuring 36 gallons.. The gas still comes out to be the better more cost effect choice!

Running gas will save u roughly $ 6.60 per tank..
E85 @$2.19 for 36 gallons gives you $78.84 when figured 13mpg for 36 gallons gives u 468 miles per tank!

Gas (87 octane) @$2.85 for 36 gallons gives you $102.60 when figued at 18mpg for 36 gallons gives you 648 miles per tank..

Result: in order to go the same distance (648 miles on E85) it will take 49.8 gallons of E85 in which at $2.19x 49.8=$109.2
End result you safe $6.60 by running Gas (87octane) in order to go the same amount of miles!

 

Real world mileage spread isn't going to be that much. Not only that, you won't get those numbers out of E10.

 

Figure .60 less for E85 and its a break-even. The gas companys have this all figured out.

 

Do what ya will, but its cheaper in the long run to use regular gas as its more fuel effeceint. You gave me the numbers and I ran em for ya.. If it was sooooo much cheaper wouldnt we see a lot more E85 around?? Thats because its NOT effecient, burns hotter, less MPG and defeats the whole purpose of saving gas in the first place, when you have farming equipment that burns gas in order to make the corn which in return makes the E85.. I've ran both and the numbers dont lie...

 

The difference would be like running premium over regular. Some people do it and some don't. If you want the extra power then go for it. It's hardly any difference so it's no biggie.

 

I ran a few tanks of e85 through my truck just to see how the mileage was...

With mixed city and highway, and a fairly heavy foot...I was averaging around 13mpg. Same style of driving with regular 87 octane, I get around 16mpg.

 

I run E85 fairly often. A local turnpike station sells it and I drive by all the time.

Here in roasting hot S. FL, E85 really wakes my truck up, I can actually burn rubber on it! Regular unleaded results in the knock sensor pulling some timing and slightly uneven acceleration. E85 eliminates that, plus adds a good bit of power. Especially on hot days (where the knock sensor is really active).

MPG's
16.8 highway on gasoline
13+- highway on E85

14 city on gasoline
11 city on E85

But, remember, there may be a few gallons of regular gasoline in my tank when I add E85, so the comparison can't be 100% accurate.

My bottom line is that there is no significant difference in cost per mile. I like E85 due to the nice power boost and smoother acceleration.