Sylvie Willis
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of running on gasoline, ethanol, or a combination of the two. E85, a blend of ethanol and traditional gasoline, is a popular choice for FFV owners due to its affordability and higher octane rating. However, it is important to determine whether your vehicle is an FFV before using E85 or other ethanol-gasoline blends. This can be done by consulting the owner's manual, checking for a flex-fuel badge or a yellow gas cap, or using a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup. While FFVs offer improved acceleration performance with higher ethanol blends, they also have lower fuel economy ratings.
Does my car take flex fuel?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is flex fuel? | A blend of gasoline and ethanol, also known as "flex fuel" |
| What is E85? | A blend of ethanol and traditional gasoline, containing 51% to 85% ethanol depending on the season and region |
| What is an FFV? | A flex-fuel vehicle that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a combination of the two in the same tank |
| How do I know if my car is an FFV? | Check the owner's manual, look for a yellow gas cap or a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle, or use a VIN Lookup tool |
| What are the benefits of flex fuel? | E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline, burns cleaner with lower carbon emissions, and has a higher octane rating for better engine performance |
| What are the drawbacks of flex fuel? | FFVs that use E85 have lower fuel economy ratings, with a difference in mileage of up to 25% |
| Which automotive brands offer FFVs? | Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Mazda, Jaguar Land Rover, and Nissan |
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What You'll Learn
How to check if your car is a flex-fuel vehicle
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are specially designed to run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol, also known as E85. FFVs can also run on gasoline or a combination of the fuels in the same tank.
Check Your Owner's Manual
The owner's manual will specify what type of fuel is recommended for your vehicle. It will also indicate whether your car can use E85 fuel.
Look for a Flex Fuel Badge or Yellow Gas Cap
Many flex-fuel vehicles have a badge or emblem on the rear of the car, or at least a yellow gas cap that often has a label “E85”. If your vehicle has a capless fuel filler, look for a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted. This is a good indication that your car can use E85 fuel.
VIN Lookup
If you're unsure, you can use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to search for your car's specifications online or with your manufacturer. Many car manufacturers provide tools to check whether a vehicle is flex-fuel compatible.
Contact a Flex-Fuel Professional
Companies such as eFlexFuel that offer retrofit flex-fuel conversions will be able to verify whether your car is a flex-fuel vehicle.
Check the Vehicle Emissions Control Information Label
For Chrysler models, the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label can be found under the hood. The label will include a 12-character Test Group Name. Flex-fuel vehicles will have the last letter of this Test Group Name fall within certain letter groups.
It's important to note that putting E85 fuel in a car that is not designed for flex-fuel can be harmful. Always refer to your owner's manual or consult a professional to determine the appropriate fuel for your vehicle.
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What is E85 gas?
E85 is a blend of ethanol and traditional gasoline. It is also known as flex fuel. Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made from plant materials, including corn, sugarcane, or various grasses. It is a renewable and domestically produced alternative to gasoline.
E85 contains a much higher percentage of ethanol than regular gasoline, which typically has about 10% ethanol (E10). The percentage of ethanol in E85 varies between 51% to 85% depending on the season and region. Producers add more ethanol in the summer than in the winter.
E85 is used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are specially engineered to run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline. FFVs can also run on regular gasoline. E85 is not suitable for cars that are not designed for flex fuel.
E85 has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline, generally around 100-105. This means it offers better engine performance, especially for performance vehicles. It is also more affordable than regular gasoline. However, E85 has lower fuel economy ratings, with some models showing a difference in mileage of close to 25%.
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Benefits of using E85
E85 is a fuel that contains gasoline but consists of up to about 85% ethanol, a renewable resource made from plant materials such as corn, sugar cane, and grasses. It is a sustainable American-made fuel produced domestically from corn biomass, plant materials, and other renewable sources. Here are some benefits of using E85:
Environmentally Friendly
E85 is much more environmentally friendly than regular gasoline. It is produced in the US, so the supply chain is short. A study by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory confirmed that manufacturing corn ethanol produced much less greenhouse gas than the same amount of gasoline. The carbon intensity of corn production is decreasing as cultivation methods improve, and the latest studies show that the greenhouse gas emissions of corn ethanol are 46% lower than gasoline. E85 runs cleaner than regular gasoline as it doesn't contain aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are toxic compounds added to increase the octane rating of gasoline.
Higher Octane Rating
E85 has a higher octane rating than standard gasoline, ranging from 100-105. Higher octane fuels combust more completely and create less denotation and knocking. This allows for more spark advance, which maximises the engine's power.
Engine Cleaner
E85 is an excellent cleaner for engines as the ethanol in E85 clears carbon deposits. It also burns cooler than gasoline, reducing heat buildup in the engine and helping to keep the engine healthy.
Cheaper Fuel Costs
E85 is generally less expensive per gallon than premium gasoline, making it a more affordable fuel option. For example, as of June 10, the national average for E85 fuel was $4.316 per gallon, 22% lower than the average national price for regular gasoline at $4.986 per gallon.
Increased Horsepower
Some GM FlexFuel engines can produce more horsepower when run on high-octane E85. For example, the 2016 5.3L FlexFuel V8 is factory-rated at 355 horsepower/383 pound-feet of torque on regular gasoline. When switched to E85, the rating jumps to 380 horsepower/416 pound-feet of torque.
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Drawbacks of using E85
E85 is a blend of regular gasoline and ethanol, with about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. While it is a more environmentally friendly option, there are several drawbacks to using E85 fuel.
Firstly, E85 is not as efficient as regular fuel. FFV owners typically experience lower miles per gallon with this type of fuel. This is because ethanol has less potential energy than gasoline, so it takes more fuel to generate the same amount of energy. As a result, fuel consumption can increase by about 20-30% compared to regular gasoline. This higher consumption may offset the cost savings of E85 fuel, which is usually cheaper than regular gasoline.
Secondly, E85 is not widely available across all areas. The availability of E85 fuel is limited, and access to E85 stations is non-existent or challenging for some communities. This makes E85 a more practical choice for local trips rather than long-distance travel, as users may find themselves stranded with no fuel on road trips.
Thirdly, E85 is not suitable for all vehicles. Only vehicles declared by the manufacturer as capable of using E85 fuel should use it. Older vehicles, particularly those manufactured before 2008 and not designed to burn ethanol, are not compatible with E85. For these vehicles, the alcohol in the fuel can cause damage by breaking down rubber seals and corroding fuel system components, including hoses, gaskets, and fuel filters.
Additionally, there are concerns about the total environmental benefit of E85 when the impact of harvesting and production is considered. A 2005 study found that ethanol-derived corn fuel required 29% more fossil energy than the fuel produced, raising questions about its overall environmental advantage.
Finally, there is an ethical consideration regarding the use of corn for fuel instead of food resources. With food insecurity affecting a significant portion of the population, there is a debate about whether croplands should be used for growing corn for fuel or for producing food to address hunger issues.
In conclusion, while E85 offers certain advantages, users should carefully weigh these drawbacks before making an informed decision about using this type of fuel.
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Where to buy E85
E85 is a blend of ethanol and traditional gasoline, with a higher percentage of ethanol than regular gasoline. It is a renewable fuel, primarily made from crops like corn. E85 is only suitable for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) and will damage a traditional gasoline engine.
There are several ways to determine if your car is an FFV:
- Check your owner's manual for the recommended fuel.
- Look for a badge or emblem on the rear of the car, or a yellow gas cap, which may have an "E85" label.
- Use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to search for your car's specifications online or with your manufacturer.
- Contact a flex-fuel professional, such as eFlexFuel, who can verify if your car is an FFV.
If you have confirmed that your car is an FFV, you can purchase E85 at dedicated E85 gas stations, such as Pearson Fuels. You can also use an E85 gas app or visit the E85 gas stations page to find stations near you that offer E85.
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Frequently asked questions
You can check your owner's manual, the fuel door, or fuel cap to see if your vehicle is E85 compatible. Many flex-fuel vehicles also have a badge or emblem on the rear of the car, or at least a yellow fuel cap that often has a label “E85”.
Flex-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%.
E85 is a blend of ethanol and traditional gasoline. Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made primarily from crops like corn. E85 contains a much higher percentage of ethanol than regular gasoline, which typically has about 10% ethanol (E10).
E85 is more affordable than regular gasoline, has more octanes than premium, and burns cleaner than pure gasoline, which is better for the environment and the engine.
