Ford F-150 Flex Fuel: What's New Under The Hood?

Flex fuel vehicles can run on regular unleaded gasoline at any octane rating, such as 85, 87, 89, 91, and 93. They can also use varying concentrations of ethanol-based fuel, such as E10 through E85. E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. While E85 is cheaper per gallon, it provides less fuel mileage, so it is necessary to calculate the cost per mile to determine if it is more cost-effective than E10 or straight gasoline. E85 provides a notable power gain and throttle response, with the truck feeling more responsive. However, it is important to note that E85 is not suitable for regular engines due to its corrosive qualities and higher volume requirements.

Flex fuel engines can use both regular unleaded gasoline and varying concentrations of ethanol-based fuel

Regular unleaded gasoline is widely available at gas stations and is suitable for use in flex-fuel engines without any modifications or special considerations.

On the other hand, ethanol-based fuel, often referred to as E85, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 offers several benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and a higher octane rating, which can lead to increased horsepower and improved vehicle performance.

However, it's important to note that E85 may not be as readily available as regular gasoline, and its use may result in decreased fuel efficiency. Additionally, due to the corrosive nature of ethanol, it should not be used in regular engines that are not designed to accommodate flex-fuel blends.

When switching between regular gasoline and E85, it is recommended to refer to the vehicle's owner's manual for specific instructions. Some sources suggest running the regular gasoline level low before refuelling with E85 to ensure a clean switch between the two fuel types.

Overall, flex-fuel engines provide drivers with the advantage of having multiple fuel options, allowing them to choose based on factors such as availability, cost, and performance.

E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline

E85 is a blend of fuel that typically consists of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline or other hydrocarbons by volume. In the United States, the exact ratio of ethanol to gasoline may vary, with the allowable ethanol content in E85 ranging from 51% to 83%. This variation is due to the lower heating value of ethanol, which can make it challenging to start engines in cold climates. The blend ratio is adjusted to ensure engine operability in different climatic conditions.

E85 is commonly used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are designed to run on any mixture of gasoline and ethanol up to 85% ethanol. FFVs have certain differences from non-FFVs, such as the elimination of bare magnesium, aluminium, and rubber parts in the fuel system. They also have fuel injection control systems with a wider range of pulse widths to inject up to 34% more fuel, resulting in increased power output.

The use of E85 in FFVs offers several advantages. Firstly, it reduces dependence on foreign oil, leading to greater energy independence. Secondly, it results in fewer air pollutants being released into the atmosphere, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thirdly, E85 has a higher resistance to engine knocking, which can enhance engine performance and longevity. Additionally, E85 has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline, allowing it to be used in higher-compression engines that produce more power per unit of displacement.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using E85. It is limited to use in FFVs, which may not be as widely available as traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. E85 also has less energy per gallon, leading to reduced miles per gallon and potentially higher fuel costs, depending on local pricing.

E85 is cheaper per gallon but provides less fuel mileage

E85, or flex fuel, is a combination of ethanol and gasoline, with ethanol making up 51-85% of the mixture. This type of fuel is commonly used in flex-fuel vehicles, such as certain models of the Ford F-150. While E85 is cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline, it does come with some trade-offs in terms of fuel mileage and other considerations.

The primary trade-off with E85 is that it provides lower fuel mileage than regular gasoline. This is because ethanol has a lower energy content per gallon than gasoline, so your engine will burn through E85 faster. The decrease in fuel mileage can range from a few percentage points to as much as 25%, with most people reporting a reduction of 15-25%. This means that despite the lower cost per gallon, E85 may end up being more expensive overall due to the reduced fuel economy.

However, there are some blends of flex fuel that provide similar or even slightly better fuel mileage than regular gasoline. These blends typically have an ethanol content between 10% and 85%. Additionally, E85 can help keep your engine in good shape as it cleans the engine, fuel lines, and exhaust system, potentially reducing maintenance costs.

When considering the use of E85 in a flex-fuel vehicle, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons. While it may provide a more cost-effective option in some cases, the reduced fuel mileage can offset the savings. Additionally, E85 is not as readily available in all regions, particularly outside the Midwest where ethanol is more commonly derived from corn.

E85 produces more horsepower and torque than gasoline

E85, also known as flex fuel, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It has a higher octane rating than gasoline, which means it can withstand higher compression ratios and temperatures without detonating. This allows for more aggressive timing and increased power output in engines that are designed to take advantage of it.

E85 contains a higher percentage of oxygen compared to gasoline. Oxygen is required for the combustion process, and the additional oxygen in E85 can support more complete combustion, resulting in a more efficient and powerful burn in the engine.

E85 requires a higher fuel flow rate compared to gasoline to maintain the same air-fuel ratio. This increased flow rate can result in improved fuel atomization and better fuel distribution within the combustion chamber, leading to more efficient combustion and increased power.

The higher octane rating of E85 allows for more aggressive timing and increased boost levels in turbocharged engines, resulting in increased horsepower and torque compared to running on regular gasoline. Fine-tuning the engine and other components is necessary to achieve the best performance when using E85.

On average, running E85 in a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) can provide a power increase of around 5% to 15% compared to running on regular gasoline. It's worth noting that using E85 typically results in reduced fuel efficiency compared to gasoline due to ethanol's lower energy content per unit volume.

E85 is also known for its eco-friendly benefits, reducing greenhouse emissions by almost 59% due to its renewable and non-toxic nature. It is derived from organic materials and burns much cleaner than other fuel alternatives, leaving no residue in the engine tank.

For these reasons, E85 produces more horsepower and torque than gasoline, making it a popular choice for racing and high-performance engines.

E85 is corrosive and can cause engine damage

E85 is a fuel that contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a popular fuel for racing and is used by NASCAR and the Indycar Series. It is also a fuel that can be used in factory-built Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFV).

E85 is not corrosive and does not cause engine damage in vehicles that are compatible with it. In fact, E85 is safer for your engine than regular gasoline as it acts as an effective cleaner, removing deposits from the engine, fuel lines, and fuel injectors.

However, it is important to note that E85 can cause engine damage in vehicles produced before 1994, as they were not required to be compatible with ethanol-based fuel. In these older vehicles, E85 can corrode certain materials in the engine, leading to serious engine damage over time.

Since 1994, it has been US federal law that vehicles must be compatible with ethanol, so engine damage caused by E85 is no longer an issue in newer vehicles. However, it is always a good idea to check your vehicle's compatibility with E85 before using it as a fuel.

When using E85 in a compatible vehicle, such as a 2018 F150 XLT with the 5.0 motor, you may notice a significant power gain and improved throttle response. However, it is important to note that E85 may result in decreased fuel efficiency, with some users reporting a decrease of up to 25%.

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