Flex Fuel: Friend Or Foe For Your Regular Car?

Flex fuel is a type of fuel that contains ethanol, which is 85% alcohol. It is often used in vehicles that are not made for it, such as normal gas-powered vehicles without a kit. Some of the main concerns about driving a flex-fuel car are its gas mileage and energy output. While some experts claim that flex-fuel vehicles have similar mileage as regular fuel-powered vehicles, others claim they have lower gas mileage.

Flex fuel vehicles have lower gas mileage

Flex-fuel vehicles are often confused with methanol that is highly corrosive and will eat the plastic parts within weeks. It is often used in vehicles that are not made for it, like normal gas-powered vehicles without a kit. Many of the original equipment manufacturer flex-fuel vehicles are poorly made and don't work well with E85. In these cases, the manufacturer quietly recommends not to use E85 because they know that their vehicle can’t run it properly even though they are approved for it because the manufacturer gets federal credits for making flex fuels, no matter how bad they are.

One of the main concerns about driving a flex-fuel car is its gas mileage. While some experts assert that flex-fuel vehicles have similar mileage as regular fuel-powered vehicles, others claim they have lower gas mileage. While ethanol does raise a vehicle's octane level, it contains less energy. In other words, it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. So, yes, you will get fewer miles per gallon using ethanol. However, ethanol costs less than regular gasoline, so the savings should more than offset the mileage loss. Because flex fuel isn't as economical as gasoline, gas stations are less likely to carry it.

Flex-fuel vehicles are often confused with ethanol racing fuels that can have corrosive components. Many modern gasoline stations often deliver gas with upwards of 10% of ethanol. The greatest difference on your vehicle with e85 and regular is that it has a different energy output, so you'll have higher fuel consumption or a lower HP rating. So in short, whatever issues your vehicle is having shouldn't be because of e85 fuel, that is unless your vehicle has a diesel engine. In fact, many modern gasoline stations often deliver gas with upwards of 10% of ethanol.

Flex-fuel vehicles are often confused with methanol that is highly corrosive and will eat the plastic parts within weeks. It is often used in vehicles that are not made for it, like normal gas-powered vehicles without a kit. Many of the original equipment manufacturer flex-fuel vehicles are poorly made and don't work well with E85. In these cases, the manufacturer quietly recommends not to use E85 because they know that their vehicle can’t run it properly even though they are approved for it because the manufacturer gets federal credits for making flex fuels, no matter how bad they are.

Flex-fuel vehicles are often confused with ethanol racing fuels that can have corrosive components. Many modern gasoline stations often deliver gas with upwards of 10% of ethanol. The greatest difference on your vehicle with e85 and regular is that it has a different energy output, so you'll have higher fuel consumption or a lower HP rating. So in short, whatever issues your vehicle is having shouldn't be because of e85 fuel, that is unless your vehicle has a diesel engine.

Ethanol is less economical than gasoline

Flex fuel vehicles are poorly made and don't work well with E85. Many of the OEM flex fuel vehicles are poorly made and don't in fact work well with E85. In these cases, the manufacturer quietly recommends (for example by telling the customer at service) not to use E85 because they know that their vehicle can’t run it properly even though they are approved for it because the manufacturer gets federal credits for making flex fuels, no matter how bad they are.

Gas stations are less likely to carry it because flex fuel isn't as economical as gasoline.

One of the main concerns about driving a flex-fuel car is its gas mileage. While some experts assert that flex-fuel vehicles have similar mileage as regular fuel-powered vehicles, others claim they have lower gas mileage.

Many modern gasoline stations often deliver gas with upwards of 10% of etanol. E85 is 85% alcohol and only certain applications can run it. Mostly “flex fuel” models. Your vehicle might have a different color cap that is marked E85 if it takes it. If it does not then you need to get as much E85 out and put in Regular 87 or E10.

Ethanol can damage plastic parts

Ethanol is a corrosive substance that can damage plastic and rubber fuel system components, particularly in older power equipment not designed to tolerate ethanol. Ethanol can damage plastic parts in vehicles that are not made for it, like normal gas-powered vehicles without a kit.

Ethanol is hygroscopic (attracts water), particularly when higher amounts of water are present. This type of damage to a carburetor is typical when phase separation occurs and the highly corrosive ethanol/water mixture corrodes fuel system components.

Ethanol can have devastating effects on power equipment and blended gasoline can damage plastic and rubber fuel system components. In the example to the right, the bowl gasket became brittle and non-pliable. The 2-cycle carburetor diaphragms on the far right are stiff causing starting and running problems. The primer line and return lines are brittle causing fuel to leak.

Ethanol is corrosive by nature and both alcohol and plastic refer to generic terms encompassing hundreds of compounds each. Ethanol can damage some plastics, but not all. Poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET or PETE - PET is not very soluble in ethanol or isopropanol, but prolonged exposure may cause crazing or stiffening due to the dissolution of plasticizers.

Ethanol has a different energy output

The main concern with using ethanol in a regular fuel-powered vehicle is its energy output. Ethanol will raise a vehicle's octane level, but it will also decrease its overall energy output. This means that a vehicle will require more ethanol to achieve the same energy levels as regular gasoline. As a result, vehicles using ethanol will typically have lower gas mileage and higher fuel consumption.

In addition to the energy output, ethanol can also cause engine damage in vehicles that are not designed to run on it. Many flex-fuel vehicles are poorly made and do not work well with E85. In these cases, the manufacturer may recommend not to use E85, as it can cause engine damage or poor performance.

It is important to note that not all vehicles can run on ethanol. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to use ethanol, but not all vehicles are flex-fuel vehicles. Using ethanol in a vehicle that is not designed to run on it can cause engine damage or poor performance.

In conclusion, ethanol has a different energy output compared to regular gasoline, resulting in lower gas mileage and higher fuel consumption. It can also cause engine damage in vehicles that are not designed to run on it. Therefore, it is important to check if a vehicle is designed to run on ethanol before using it.

Ethanol can cause limp mode

Ethanol can cause a car to enter limp mode. E85 is a fuel that contains 85% ethanol and is only suitable for certain applications. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85, but regular vehicles may not be. Ethanol has a lower energy output than regular gasoline, so it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. This means that flex-fuel vehicles will have lower gas mileage and higher fuel consumption.

Many modern gasoline stations often deliver gas with upwards of 10% ethanol. This can cause issues with vehicles that are not designed to run on ethanol. Ethanol is often confused with methanol, which is highly corrosive and will eat the plastic parts within weeks. Ethanol racing fuels can also have corrosive components and are not suitable for regular vehicles.

If a regular vehicle is filled with E85, it may enter limp mode. This is because the vehicle may not be designed to run on ethanol and may not have the necessary components to handle the fuel. Many OEM flex-fuel vehicles are poorly made and don't work well with E85. In these cases, the manufacturer may recommend not to use E85 because they know that their vehicle can’t run it properly.

It is important to note that flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85 and may have different energy outputs than regular vehicles. Ethanol can raise a vehicle's octane level, but it also contains less energy, so it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. This means that flex-fuel vehicles will have lower gas mileage and higher fuel consumption.

In summary, ethanol can cause issues with vehicles that are not designed to run on it. E85 is a fuel that contains 85% ethanol and is only suitable for certain applications. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to run on E85, but regular vehicles may not be. Ethanol has a lower energy output than regular gasoline, so it will take 1.5 times more to provide the same energy levels. This means that flex-fuel vehicles will have lower gas mileage and higher fuel consumption.

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