Switching To Flex Fuel: Reprogramming Your Car For Flexibility

Flex-fuel vehicles are those that have internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. They can use E85 or regular unleaded, but traditional gas engines cannot use E85 flex fuel. E85 is a blend of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol is made from plant materials, including corn. Flex-fuel vehicles use a sensor to detect the type of fuel being fed to the engine and adjust the combustion process accordingly. While flex fuel is better for the environment, it has been argued that it can negatively impact a vehicle's performance and is not as economical as gasoline.

Check if your car is compatible with flex fuel

There are several ways to check if your car is compatible with flex fuel.

Firstly, you can look for the "`FlexFuel`" badge on the rear of your car, truck, or SUV. Alternatively, look for a yellow gas cap, which indicates that the vehicle is a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV). However, it's important to note that these caps only started appearing on model-year 2008 vehicles (2006 for General Motors). If you can't find either of these, check your owner's manual, as it should specify which fuels are approved for your vehicle.

Another way to check is by using an online tool such as the Fuel Freedom Foundation's "Check Your Car" tool. By entering your vehicle's make, model, year, and engine size, you can find out if your car is an FFV.

If you own a Chrysler, Ford, or General Motors vehicle, you can also check the Vehicle Emissions Control Information label, found under the hood. For Chrysler vehicles, the last letter of the 12-character Test Group Name indicates whether the vehicle is E85 compatible. For Ford and General Motors vehicles, the vehicle identification number and a decal under the fuel door indicating E85 use will confirm its compatibility.

Understand the benefits of flex fuel

Flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative to gasoline that combines it with methanol or ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles are those with internal combustion engines designed to run on more than one type of fuel. The technology was first introduced in the early 1990s with the 1994 Ford Taurus, and by 2017, there were approximately 21 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road.

Benefits of Flex Fuel

Cleaner for the Environment

Ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline, meaning fewer toxic fumes and fewer greenhouse gases are emitted by flex-fuel cars. A flex-fuel vehicle can burn whatever proportion of fuel mixture is in the combustion chamber. The car is equipped with electronic sensors that gauge the blend, and its microprocessors adjust the fuel injection and timing.

Advanced Technology

Modern flex-fuel vehicles are built using advanced technology such as electronic sensors. These sensors allow the car to detect the fuel blend and make the necessary adjustments. Modern flex-fuel cars can contain 10 to 85 percent ethanol, and the vehicle will determine the most efficient proportions.

Sustainably Produced

Flex-fuel vehicles often run on ethanol, which is sustainably produced from ingredients such as cane sugar and corn. This makes ethanol a good alternative to foreign oil. Additionally, consumers who drive flex-fuel vehicles may be eligible for tax credits that can significantly reduce or eliminate their tax obligations.

Improved Performance

Flex-fuel vehicles do not experience a loss in performance when using E85 fuel. In some cases, they may even generate increased torque and horsepower. Ethanol is a natural octane enhancer, which makes engines perform better.

Cheaper for Consumers

The Renewable Fuels Association states that blending ethanol into the nation's gasoline supply saves the average American family about $1,200 a year. While ethanol is less fuel-efficient, resulting in fewer miles per gallon, it is also less expensive than regular gasoline, which should offset the mileage loss.

Learn about the drawbacks of flex fuel

While flex fuel has its benefits, it also has some disadvantages you should be aware of before purchasing a flex-fuel vehicle or converting your current vehicle.

Firstly, while it is great that flex fuel can be sustainably produced using corn and sugar, its production comes with a few drawbacks. Crops designed for flex-fuel production take away resources from other sources, which could potentially drive up the price of animal feed. Corn is also susceptible to diseases and weather conditions such as flooding and drought, which can cause problems for corn prices during poor harvests.

Secondly, ethanol, which is a key component of flex fuel, absorbs dirt easily and can potentially corrode and damage your engine. This is a concern for many drivers, as engine maintenance and treatment are crucial.

Another concern about driving a flex-fuel car is its gas mileage. Ethanol raises a vehicle's octane level but contains less energy, meaning it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. As a result, you will get fewer miles per gallon using ethanol. However, it is important to note that ethanol costs less than regular gasoline, so the savings should offset the mileage loss.

Lastly, due to the fact that flex fuel is not as economical as gasoline, there is a scarcity of fuel stations that carry it. Only a small percentage of gas stations nationwide supply ethanol, which can be inconvenient for drivers. However, this is likely to change as more consumers purchase flex-fuel vehicles, and modern flex-fuel vehicles can use any combination of gasoline and ethanol.

Find out if you need a conversion kit

To find out if you need a conversion kit, you can use an online tool such as the Fuel Freedom Foundation's "Check Your Car" tool. This allows you to enter your vehicle's make, model, year, and engine size, and it will tell you if it's a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV).

If your vehicle is not an FFV, you will need a conversion kit to use flex fuel. However, before purchasing a conversion kit, it's important to check the compatibility of your vehicle with the kit. Some companies offer online tools to check compatibility, where you can select your vehicle's make, year, model, and engine to see if it's approved for their conversion kit.

It's worth noting that conversion kits are generally designed for vehicles with fuel injection, and older vehicles may need additional modifications or parts replacements. For example, older vehicles with carburetors will need larger jets to allow for more fuel flow when using ethanol-blended fuel. Additionally, steel and rubber fuel lines, fuel pumps, fuel tanks, and fuel injectors may need to be changed due to the corrosive effects of ethanol.

By using a conversion kit, you can take advantage of the benefits of flex fuel, such as reduced fuel costs, improved engine performance, and lower emissions.

Research the cost of conversion kits

The cost of conversion kits for flex fuel vehicles varies depending on the make and model of the car. For example, a conversion kit for a 2013-2015 ATS/CTS 2.0-liter LTG model car costs $5600 on Amazon. This kit requires a PCM tune from ZZPerformance, which will cost extra.

Other conversion kits are available from Advanced Fuel Dynamics, with prices varying depending on the car model. For instance, a ProFlex Commander kit for a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R (Voodoo) is available, but the price is not listed.

EFlexFuel offers conversion kits starting at $699, with comprehensive kits including everything needed to run E85 and DIY installation. They also offer flexible payment options and a 5-year warranty.

EcoFuelBox manufactures E85 ethanol conversion kits for a range of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, quads, and boats. Their kits are designed for quick installation (35-45 minutes) and claim to provide savings of up to 50% per fuel tank. The cost of these kits varies depending on the number of cylinders in the vehicle, but the exact prices are not listed.

It is important to note that flex fuel conversion kits are unusual, and only a few conversion kits from conventional gasoline-only systems to flex fuel systems are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is recommended to check the EPA's website for a list of certified alternative fuel conversion systems before purchasing a kit.

Frequently asked questions