Regan Brown
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of running on both regular gasoline and ethanol-gasoline blends like E85. E85 is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, a renewable resource made from plant materials such as corn, sugar cane, and grasses. While FFVs offer drivers a choice of fuels, E85 is not as widely available in some parts of the world, such as Canada and certain areas of the United States. E85 is generally cheaper than gasoline, but it yields fewer miles per gallon (MPG), with some reporting a reduction in fuel economy of 15 to 25% when using E85. However, certain flex fuel blends with lower ethanol content can provide the same or better fuel economy than regular gasoline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy | Flex fuel generally has lower fuel economy than gasoline due to its lower energy content per gallon. However, some blends (10-85% ethanol) can provide better fuel economy than gasoline. |
| Cost | Flex fuel is typically cheaper than gasoline due to lower taxes and lower prices at the pump. |
| Maintenance | E85 cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, reducing maintenance costs. |
| Environmental impact | E85 has fewer emissions than gasoline, resulting in cleaner air. It is made from renewable resources such as corn, sugar cane, and grasses. |
| Engine performance | E85 generates more torque and horsepower than gasoline and provides higher resistance to engine knocking. FFVs have improved acceleration performance when operating on higher ethanol blends. |
| Flexibility | FFVs can run on both ethanol-gasoline blends and regular gasoline, giving drivers control over their fuel consumption and expenses. |
| Availability | E85 is not as widely available as gasoline, with about 3,900 stations in the US. |
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What You'll Learn
Ethanol content and MPG
Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced alcohol fuel made from plant materials such as corn, sugarcane, or grasses. It can help reduce oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. However, ethanol has a lower energy content per gallon than gasoline, which leads to a decrease in fuel economy. The higher the ethanol content, the lower the miles per gallon (MPG).
E10, a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, results in a drop in MPG of approximately 3%. This can vary from a 3-5% drop to a 6-10% drop. In 2010, the EPA approved a 15% ethanol blend, E15, for use in 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. E15 is expected to result in a more significant decrease in MPG compared to E10.
E85, a blend of 51-85% ethanol and the rest gasoline, typically yields about 30% worse gas mileage than straight gasoline. This means that a vehicle that achieves 30 MPG with gasoline can expect a reduction of about 9 MPG when using E85, resulting in 21 MPG. However, E85 is often priced lower than gasoline, and it has a higher octane rating, which can lead to improved engine performance. Additionally, E85 can help keep the engine clean and running cooler, reducing maintenance costs.
Flex fuel blends with an ethanol content between 10% and 85% can, in some cases, provide better fuel economy than regular gasoline. This is because flex fuel blends can clean the fuel injectors and valves, and the right balance of regular gasoline and flex fuel can reduce deposits that hinder fuel economy. Additionally, E85 has a higher octane rating, which means it can generate the same power with lower RPMs, resulting in improved fuel efficiency.
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Flex fuel vs regular gasoline prices
The price of flex fuel is generally lower than that of regular gasoline. In 2014, the national average price of a gallon of gas was $3.54, while E85 was priced at $2.35 to $2.70 per gallon in the Midwest, with a national average of $2.77. In 2009, E85 was also found to be a lot cheaper than gas. In California, E85 was 32% cheaper than gasoline in 2014, with an average price of $4.22 for gasoline.
While flex fuel is typically cheaper, it is important to note that it may result in lower miles per gallon (MPG) due to the lower energy content of ethanol. The higher the ethanol content, the lower the MPG. The loss in MPG can vary, with some users reporting a reduction of 15% to 25% when using flex fuel. However, there are flex fuel blends with lower ethanol content that can provide similar or even slightly better MPG than regular gasoline.
To determine whether using flex fuel will result in cost savings, it is necessary to compare the total cost over a set number of miles. This can be done by calculating the cost of flex fuel and regular gasoline per distance travelled and considering the MPG of each fuel type.
Additionally, it is worth noting that E85 can help keep the engine in good shape as it cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system. This can lead to savings on maintenance costs.
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Flex fuel vehicle maintenance
Flex-fuel vehicles are those that can be fed with more than one type of fuel. They have internal combustion engines designed to run on a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol, or a blend of both. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol.
Flex-fuel vehicles have a more complex fuel system than gasoline or diesel vehicles, as they need to be able to handle different types of fuel. Therefore, regular engine and fuel system maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity and proper functioning of your flex-fuel vehicle. While flex-fuel vehicle maintenance may seem intimidating at first, with the right knowledge and practice, it can become second nature.
Basic maintenance for a flex-fuel vehicle includes regularly checking oil and fluid levels, inspecting tires, and changing air and fuel filters. These simple but important tasks can help keep your vehicle in good working order. Advanced maintenance may include replacing engine parts, checking the fuel injection system, and servicing the exhaust system. These tasks are more complex and often require the help of a professional.
Ethanol is a more corrosive fuel than gasoline or diesel, so the engine of a flex-fuel vehicle can be subject to more wear and tear. Ethanol also absorbs dirt easily, which can potentially corrode and damage your engine. Therefore, regular engine maintenance is key to keeping your flex-fuel vehicle running efficiently and safely.
One benefit of using ethanol is that it cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, keeping your engine in good shape and running cooler. With ethanol running through your engine, you will save on maintenance as you won't need to have fuel injectors cleaned.
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Calculating fuel economy
To calculate mpg, you can use the following formula:
> MPG = Miles travelled / Gallons of fuel used
For example, if you travel 300 miles and use 10 gallons of fuel, your mpg is 30.
Similarly, to calculate km/l, you can use this formula:
> KM/L = Kilometres travelled / Litres of fuel used
So, if you travel 500 kilometres and use 30 litres of fuel, your km/l is 16.67.
You can also calculate fuel consumption per 100 km by dividing the amount of fuel used in litres by the distance travelled in kilometres and multiplying the product by 100.
There are also online calculators that can help with these calculations, which may include additional factors such as fuel price, trip distance, and odometer readings.
It's worth noting that fuel economy can be affected by various factors such as driving habits, vehicle type, and tyre pressure. Aggressive driving, including rapid acceleration and braking, can decrease fuel efficiency, while consistent speeds and cruise control can improve it. Additionally, 4-wheel-drive vehicles tend to be less fuel-efficient than FWD or RWD, and under-inflated tyres can lower gas mileage.
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E85 fuel availability
E85 fuel is a mix of regular unleaded petrol and bioethanol, a type of fuel derived from animal waste or plant sources. The number '85' in E85 refers to the percentage of bioethanol in the fuel, which can range from 70% to 85%. The higher octane rating of E85 allows it to burn effectively and deliver more power, but users may find that they need to refuel their vehicles more frequently than with regular petrol.
E85 is the second most popular fuel in Brazil and is widely used in Latin America. In Australia, E85 is less common than unleaded and premium unleaded alternatives but is available at certain United Petroleum service stations. In Canada, E85 is not very popular and is mostly found in Western Canada.
The availability of E85 fuel at gas stations can vary, and it is important to check the owner's manual to ensure that your vehicle is compatible with E85 fuel. While E85 is generally cheaper than regular unleaded petrol, it can yield fewer miles per gallon, so the potential savings from using E85 depend on the balance between its price and that of regular gasoline.
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Frequently asked questions
Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) have an internal combustion engine and are capable of operating on gasoline and any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. While FFVs get lower mileage with increased levels of ethanol, some flex-fuel blends can provide better fuel economy than regular gasoline.
FFVs have fuel systems created without rubber, aluminum, or magnesium parts, and their fuel injection control system is designed to allow a greater injection of fuel. To check if your car is an FFV, look for markers on the outside of the car with labels like E85, FFV, or Flex Fuel, or a yellow-colored gas cap, a yellow ring around capless fuel fillers, or a flex-fuel label on the fuel door.
To get the best fuel economy, choose E85 fuel with the highest gasoline content. The right balance of regular gasoline and flex fuel (usually E40 to E60) reduces deposits and keeps your vehicle's MPG about the same.
