Regan Brown
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are automobiles that can run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol, or flexible fuel. Ethanol is made from plant materials, such as corn, and is a renewable and domestically produced alternative fuel. FFVs can use gasoline, ethanol (blends up to E85), or a combination of the two in the same tank. E85 is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing between 51% to 85% ethanol, depending on the season and region. While flex-fuel vehicles were once common, they have recently become less popular, with manufacturers shifting their focus to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. So, can you use flex fuel in any car?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is flex fuel? | A blend of gasoline and ethanol |
| What is it also known as? | E85, FFV |
| What is the percentage of ethanol in it? | 51% to 85% |
| What is the percentage of ethanol in it during the summer months? | 83% |
| What is the percentage of ethanol in it during the winter months? | Less than 83% |
| What is the price of E85? | $2.48 per gallon |
| What is the price of regular unleaded gas? | $3.05 per gallon |
| What are the advantages of using flex fuel? | Lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced reliance on foreign oil, cheaper price |
| What are the disadvantages of using flex fuel? | Reduced fuel efficiency |
| What are the ways to check if a car is compatible with flex fuel? | Check for a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle, check the fuel cap, refer to the owner's manual, or use a flex fuel checker |
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What You'll Learn
What is flex fuel?
Flex fuel, also known as E85, is a blend of gasoline and ethanol that can be used as an alternative fuel in compatible vehicles known as flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). It is a domestically produced renewable fuel with gasoline blended with between 51% and 85% ethanol, depending on the season and region. Ethanol is made from plant materials, typically corn, and its use as a fuel reduces reliance on imported oil.
Flex-fuel vehicles have modified internal combustion engines that can run on either traditional gasoline or ethanol blends. They can be identified by a yellow fuel cap or a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle. The FFV system is available in models from several manufacturers, including Chrysler, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Mazda.
While flex fuel burns cleaner than pure gasoline and is often cheaper per gallon, it has lower fuel economy ratings due to its lower energy content. It is important to note that flex fuel should only be used in FFVs as it can damage traditional gasoline engines.
Although flex-fuel vehicles were once common, their availability has decreased in recent years as government incentives have shifted towards electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
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What is E85?
E85 is a type of flex fuel, a blend of ethanol and gasoline. The blend typically consists of 51% to 85% ethanol, with the remaining percentage made up of gasoline or other hydrocarbons. The percentage of ethanol in the blend depends on the time of year and the geographical location. For example, in the summer, E85 has a higher percentage of ethanol than in the winter. The blend is also more common in warmer climates, such as in Brazil, where E85 may contain up to 100% ethanol.
E85 is suitable for use in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are designed to run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. These vehicles have modified internal combustion engines that can detect whether the fuel is pure gasoline or ethanol and make the necessary adjustments for optimal fuel injection and combustion. FFVs can be identified by a yellow fuel cap, a decal under the fuel door indicating E85 use, or a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle.
E85 has several advantages, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a lower price per gallon compared to regular gasoline. Additionally, E85 has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline, allowing it to be used in higher-compression engines that produce more power. However, there are also some drawbacks to using E85. It has a lower heating value compared to gasoline, which can make it harder to start engines in cold climates. FFVs using E85 also tend to have lower fuel economy ratings, resulting in a decrease in miles per gallon.
It is important to note that E85 should only be used in vehicles that are compatible with flex fuel. Using E85 in a car not designed for flexible fuel can cause damage to the engine. Vehicle owners should always refer to their owner's manual to determine the appropriate type of fuel for their car.
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How to check if your car is a flex-fuel vehicle
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on gasoline, ethanol (blends up to E85), or a combination of the fuels in the same tank. However, flex-fuel can be used only in FFVs and will damage a traditional gasoline engine.
- Check the fuel door or cap: Look for a decal or badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or “E85” under the fuel door or on the fuel cap. This will indicate that your vehicle is compatible with flex fuel.
- Check the fuel cap colour: FFVs typically have a yellow fuel cap or a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted. This colour-coding is a good indication that the car can use flex fuel. However, please note that this feature is only available in model year 2008 or newer vehicles (2006 for General Motors).
- Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): FFVs will have a specific character in the VIN that indicates E85 compatibility.
- Refer to the owner's manual: Check your vehicle's owner's manual to find detailed information about the approved fuels for your car. The manual will specify if your car is compatible with flex fuel or E85.
- Use an online tool: The Fuel Freedom Foundation's "Check Your Car" tool allows you to enter your vehicle's make, model, year, and engine size to determine if it is an FFV.
- Check the Emissions Control Information label: For Chrysler vehicles, you can find the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label under the hood. Look for the 12-character Test Group Name and check if the last letter corresponds to the letter groups indicating E85 compatibility.
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Pros and cons of using flex fuel
Flex fuel is an alternative fuel made from a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Ethanol is a clear grain alcohol derived from plants such as corn, sugarcane, barley, or sorghum. It has two-thirds of the energy content of gasoline. On the other hand, methanol is made by transforming natural gas with steam and contains half the energy content of gasoline.
Pros of Flex Fuel
Flex-fuel vehicles have several advantages over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Firstly, they emit fewer greenhouse gases and toxic fumes, making them more environmentally friendly. This is because ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline. Flex-fuel vehicles are also eligible for tax credits, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate tax obligations. Additionally, they offer convenience and flexibility, as they can run on various blends of gasoline and ethanol, with the vehicle's sensors automatically detecting and adjusting to the blend.
Cons of Flex Fuel
One of the main drawbacks of flex-fuel vehicles is their poorer fuel economy. E85, a common flex-fuel blend, tends to be less efficient than regular gasoline, resulting in lower mileage. This is because ethanol has less energy per volume than gasoline. As a result, flex-fuel vehicles may need to be filled up more frequently. Furthermore, E85 is not as widely available as regular gasoline, and its performance can be impacted by cold weather due to ethanol's higher vapour point. Additionally, ethanol is harsher than gasoline and can potentially damage cars that are not designed for flex fuel. The use of ethanol can also have a negative impact on crop prices.
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Flex fuel vs traditional gasoline engines
Flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are designed to run on multiple types of fuel, usually a combination of gasoline and ethanol, stored in the same tank. FFVs can also run on pure gasoline or pure ethanol. Modern FFVs can burn any proportion of the resulting blend as fuel injection and spark timing are adjusted automatically according to the blend detected by a fuel composition sensor. FFVs are typically distinguished by a yellow fuel cap and a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle.
FFVs have several benefits over traditional gasoline engines. Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, meaning FFVs pump fewer toxic fumes into the environment and contribute fewer greenhouse gases. Ethanol also costs less per gallon than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option for FFV owners. FFVs also have improved acceleration performance when operating on higher ethanol blends.
However, there are also some drawbacks to FFVs when compared to traditional gasoline engines. Ethanol absorbs dirt easily, which can potentially corrode and damage the engine. FFVs also have lower fuel economy ratings than traditional gasoline engines, with some sources claiming that FFVs get 25% fewer miles per gallon.
It is important to note that flex-fuel, such as E85, can only be used in FFVs and will damage a traditional gasoline engine. FFVs have been around since the early 1990s, with mass-produced models such as the 1994 Ford Taurus. As of 2022, there were more than 20.9 million FFVs in the United States, with some estimates placing the number at over 27 million.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, also known as E85. It is a renewable and domestically produced alternative fuel.
A flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) is designed to run on flex fuel or E85. FFVs have modified internal combustion engines that can use traditional gasoline, ethanol blends, or a combination of the two in the same tank.
You can refer to your owner's manual or look for a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of your vehicle. A yellow fuel cap or a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted are also good indications that your car is an FFV.
No, flex fuel should only be used in flex-fuel vehicles. Using flex fuel in a car that is not designed for it can be harmful.
It is not recommended to put flex fuel in a non-flex fuel car as it may cause problems with the engine.
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