Rajan Wilcox
Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of functioning using fuel made from a combination of conventional gasoline mixed with ethanol or methanol. While flex-fuel vehicles are better for the environment, they have less mileage and are limited in availability. Using flex-fuel in a car that is not designed for it can be harmful, and it is important to refer to the owner's manual for specifications. E85, a blend of 51% to 85% ethanol, is a popular type of flex-fuel. While E85 is safer for engines than regular gasoline, it can cause issues in older vehicles.
Is flex fuel bad for my car?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bad for the engine | No, E85 is safer for your engine than regular gasoline |
| Damages fuel injectors | No, E85 cleans your engine, fuel lines, and fuel injectors |
| Damages hoses | Yes, E85 can damage hoses if your vehicle is not designed for flex fuel |
| Fuel economy | Poorer fuel economy is a given with E85 |
| Price | E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline |
| Mileage | Flex fuel vehicles have less mileage |
| Emission | Flex fuel vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional gasoline engine-equipped vehicles |
| Availability | Flex fuel vehicles have limited availability |
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What You'll Learn
E85 fuel can damage engines not designed for flex fuel
E85 is a type of flex fuel that is a blend of alcohol and gasoline. It is a biofuel obtained from biomass sources such as corn crops, grains, "starchy" wastes, and sugarcane. It is also known as flex fuel and has a high ethanol content of up to 83%.
E85 fuel can be damaging to engines that are not designed for flex fuel. This is because ethanol has a corrosive effect on fuel-system components such as magnesium, aluminum, and rubber. Therefore, running E85 on older model engines without tuning and replacing some components will likely ruin the engine. The fuel pump usually has gas flowing around the pump and motor mechanism that lubricates it, but E85 fuels lack this lubrication component. This can cause the electric fuel pump to fail sooner than normal as it has to work harder to pump 20-30% more fuel for the same travel distance.
Additionally, engines running on E85 fuels tend to start a little harder and take some time to idle before they can be driven properly. Not letting the engine idle usually results in poor performance and high emissions until it reaches operating temperature. E85 fuel also has a greater cooling effect on the inlet air than gasoline, which can impact engine performance.
It is important to note that some OEM flex-fuel vehicles are poorly made and cannot properly run E85 fuel, even though they are approved for it. Therefore, it is essential to check with the manufacturer or a trusted mechanic before using E85 fuel in your vehicle.
To use E85 fuel in a vehicle not originally designed for it, a conversion kit can be installed. These kits automatically adjust and optimize the fuel composition in the tank to enhance overall engine performance.
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Flex fuel vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases
Flex-fuel vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional, gasoline-engine-equipped vehicles, making them a more environmentally friendly option. A flex-fuel vehicle can burn different proportions of ethanol and gasoline, unlike conventional engines, which can only burn fuels with a small amount of ethanol. Ethanol is produced from crops such as corn and sugarcane, and it burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in fewer toxic fumes.
A common flex-fuel gasoline blend contains anywhere between 51% to 83% ethanol, or even up to 85% in some cases. Compared to regular gasoline, the average tailpipe emissions of E85 gasoline contain 23% less nitrogen oxide and 30% less carbon monoxide. This results in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of up to 50%. E85 also has a smaller carbon footprint than regular gasoline when considering its entire life cycle, including production and transportation.
Ethanol is a renewable resource, as the corn used to make it is grown year after year, unlike oil, which is a finite resource. Additionally, ethanol is a domestic product in the United States, whereas gasoline often comes from foreign oil that must be shipped to the country. This further reduces the carbon footprint associated with flex-fuel vehicles.
While flex-fuel vehicles offer environmental benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Ethanol contains less energy per volume than gasoline, resulting in lower mileage or miles per gallon. This can be offset by the lower cost of ethanol, but it also means that fewer gas stations carry flex fuel. Flex-fuel vehicles may also have an impact on the crop economy, as crops used for fuel production cannot be allocated to other sources, potentially driving up the price of animal feed.
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Ethanol in flex fuel can attract moisture, causing rust
Ethanol, a common component of flex-fuel, is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. This can lead to water accumulation in the fuel tank, which, if left, can cause rusting, fuel degradation, and other issues. The oxidation of ethanol also creates corrosive byproducts that can damage engine components over time.
Ethanol is known to be corrosive and can cause serious engine damage when used regularly. It can dissolve resins, creating a black sludge that coats and travels through the engine, causing engine stalling and complications, including clogged fuel filters, carburetor jets, and injectors. Ethanol can also act as a drying agent, disintegrating or dissolving non-alcohol-resistant parts, especially rubber and plastic components.
The use of ethanol-blended fuel can be mitigated by storing it in sealed containers to prevent water buildup and maintain fuel quality. Additionally, fuel stabilizers like Biobor EB can be added to protect against water accumulation and corrosion in sensitive engine parts. Regular maintenance checks are essential to ensure that engines are not being damaged by ethanol fuel or its components. Monitoring fuel tank levels is crucial, as ethanol's hygroscopic nature can draw in moisture over time, potentially leading to permanent storage issues.
While ethanol in flex-fuel can cause issues through moisture absorption, proper precautions, regular maintenance, and the use of stabilizers can help mitigate these problems.
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Flex fuel vehicles have lower mileage
One of the main concerns about driving a flex-fuel car is its gas mileage. While some experts assert that flex-fuel vehicles have a similar mileage to regular fuel-powered vehicles, others claim that they have lower gas mileage. Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline, so it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. Therefore, you will get fewer miles per gallon using ethanol. However, ethanol costs less than regular gasoline, so the savings should offset the mileage loss.
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are capable of operating on gasoline and any blend of gasoline and ethanol up to 83%. E85 (or flex fuel) is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season. FFVs are factory-made, and many vehicle owners are unaware that their car is an FFV and that they can choose between fuels.
Flex-fuel vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases than traditional, gasoline engine-equipped vehicles, making them a more environmentally friendly option. A flex-fuel vehicle can burn different proportions of ethanol and gasoline, unlike conventional engines that can only burn fuels with a small amount of ethanol. Since ethanol is produced from crops such as corn and sugarcane, it can be sustainably produced.
Flex-fuel vehicles are not a new technology. They were first developed in the early 1990s and used in the mass-produced 1994 Ford Taurus. By 2017, there were approximately 21 million flex-fuel vehicles on the road. Today, modern flex-fuel vehicles are mostly full-size pickup trucks and cargo vans by Ford and General Motors.
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Flex fuel vehicles are eligible for tax credits
Flex-fuel vehicles are eligible for tax credits, which is one of the pros of owning such a vehicle. These vehicles are capable of functioning using fuel made from a combination of conventional gasoline mixed with ethanol or methanol. As the world searches for more renewable sources of energy, flex-fuel vehicles were intended to reduce oil dependence and mitigate climate change. However, they have been overshadowed by hybrids and electric vehicles.
The tax credits for flex-fuel vehicles are available to both businesses and individuals. Businesses and organizations that meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements are eligible for a 30% credit with a $100,000 per-item limit. To claim the credit for personal or business property, Form 8911 must be attached to your tax return. Partnerships and S corporations must file this form to claim the credit. Other business taxpayers are not required to complete or file the form if their only source for this credit is a partnership or S corporation. Instead, they can report this credit directly on line 1s of Part III of Form 3800, General Business Credit.
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refuelling Property Credit is available to individuals and businesses that install qualified refuelling or recharging property, including electric vehicle charging equipment, in an eligible location. To qualify for the credit, the property must be used to store or dispense clean-burning fuel or to recharge electric motor vehicles. As of January 1, 2023, the definition of qualified property includes charging stations for 2- and 3-wheeled electric vehicles for use on public roads and includes bidirectional charging equipment. To qualify, the refueling or recharging property must be installed in a low-income community census tract or non-urban census tract.
Tax-exempt entities, such as state and local governments, that dispense qualified fuel from an on-site fueling station for use in vehicles, also qualify for the incentive. Eligible entities must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The incentive must first be claimed as a credit against the entity's alternative fuel tax liability, and any excess over this fuel tax liability may be claimed as a direct payment from the IRS.
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Frequently asked questions
Flex fuel is not bad for your car if it is a flex-fuel vehicle. In fact, E85 flex fuel can be beneficial for your engine as it acts as a cleaner, clearing the engine, fuel lines, and fuel injectors of deposits. However, it is important to note that E85 should not be used in cars that are not designed for flexible fuel as it can cause damage.
You can check if your car is a flex-fuel vehicle by looking for a badge with "Flex-Fuel", "FFV", or "E85" on the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, a yellow filler cap or a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted also indicates that the car can use flex fuel.
Flex-fuel vehicles have several benefits, including reduced emissions, increased sustainability, and eligibility for tax credits. Additionally, flex fuel is typically cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline.
One of the main drawbacks of using flex fuel is the reduced mileage compared to traditional gasoline. Flex-fuel vehicles may also have an impact on the crop economy and have limited availability.
Flex fuel, also known as E85, is a blend of gasoline and ethanol, with ethanol making up between 51% to 85% of the mixture, depending on the season and region.
