2009 - 2014 F-150

E85 versus Regular Gas - any first hand experience

Old Mar 21, 2012 | 06:51 PM
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Question E85 versus Regular Gas - any first hand experience

Passing a gas station today in Indianapolis I noticed that the E85 fuel was $3.39 per gallon and Regular Gas was selling for $3.99 per gallon. I was wondering what folks experience has been when using E85. As I understand it the E85 will not give as good mileage and possibly loss in power. I was just wondering what folks first hand experience has been with respect to mileage and power. According to my salesman you can mix these fuels in any percentage and don't need to wait for the tank to get low before changing type of fuel. I will have the 3.7 when my truck comes in.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2012 | 06:56 PM
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You will have BETTER power with E85. You will lose anywhere from 7% to 35% gas mileage.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2012 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by glc
You will have BETTER power with E85. You will lose anywhere from 7% to 35% gas mileage.
This has been my experience with my wife's 07 flex fuel Expedition.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 02:30 AM
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I have seen E85 with "octane values" ranging from 96-113 depending on the source. A few people I know have replaced expensive race gas with E85.

Depending on the loss of mpg's you might not be saving any money.

I just wish they would keep ethanol out of regular gas.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 07:54 AM
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In most of NY state you can't even get regular gas any more !!
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 08:18 AM
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See I had a chevy truck and on the tag it said E85 gave you 25% less hp and mpg. Im pretty sure E85 is not a better performance vehicle unless things have changed. If the stuff was 2 bucks a gallon I would be all over it.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 08:28 AM
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The 5.0 makes 15 more horsepower on E85. If I remember correctly it increases hp by 10 in the 5.4.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 12:06 PM
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More power in the 5.4 310hp-360tq reg. 320hp-390tq E85. Only a couple E85 stations in the state where I live so, and none close to me so I've never had a chance to try. Would like to try it for towing.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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It increases power because it's higher octane, which allows the management system to run more timing advance. This also will help compensate for the much richer mixture required, if the timing didn't advance the gas mileage would be even worse.

In most of NY state you can't even get regular gas any more !!
You have E10, not E85. *ANY* vehicle with O2 sensors can run E10 safely.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 03:10 PM
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I work at a university and the vehicles that use e85 don't get any mileage puttin around campus. Like 100 miles a tank in my foremans f150.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2012 | 11:29 PM
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I heard for the first time using E85 we are not supposed to fill up on more than a half tank, and that the tank must be close to empty to use it. Is that true? This is for the first time filling up on E85.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 03:25 AM
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Not true. Flex fuel vehicles have a sensor that detects the % of ethanol and adjusts things accordingly.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by bansheerider
I heard for the first time using E85 we are not supposed to fill up on more than a half tank, and that the tank must be close to empty to use it. Is that true? This is for the first time filling up on E85.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do
switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible—at least half a tank. Do not add less than five gallons (18.9L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least 5 miles (8 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in
ethanol concentration.
If you exclusively use E85 fuel, it is recommended to fill the fuel tank
with regular unleaded gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
From the owners manual.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by expy03
From the owners manual.
That's where I read it I couldn't remember if I read it on the forums or in the manual. I am on vacation so I couldnt read my manual. Thanks for clarifying.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by glc
Not true. Flex fuel vehicles have a sensor that detects the % of ethanol and adjusts things accordingly.
That may be the case but the manual says otherwise.
 
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