Is flex-fuel good on gas?
As the owner of Kevin's Autos, I often get asked about the benefits and drawbacks of using flex-fuel vehicles. Flex-fuel technology allows cars to run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol, typically up to 85% ethanol (E85). In this article, we will explore whether flex-fuel is a good option for your vehicle and what you should consider when making the switch.
Understanding Flex-Fuel
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are designed to operate on both gasoline and ethanol blends. Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from plant materials, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline. However, there are several factors to consider when evaluating the use of flex-fuel in your vehicle.
Benefits of Flex-Fuel
- Environmental Impact: Using ethanol can lower carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option compared to pure gasoline.
- Cost-Effectiveness: In some regions, E85 is cheaper than regular gasoline, which can lead to savings at the pump.
- Performance: Many drivers report that flex-fuel vehicles perform well on E85, with some even experiencing increased horsepower.
- Energy Independence: Utilizing domestically produced ethanol can reduce reliance on foreign oil, contributing to energy security.
Drawbacks of Flex-Fuel
- Fuel Economy: Flex-fuel vehicles may experience a decrease in fuel economy when using E85, as ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline.
- Availability: E85 is not available everywhere, which can limit your options depending on your location.
- Compatibility: Not all vehicles are designed to run on E85, so it's essential to check if your car is a flex-fuel model.
- Cold Weather Performance: Ethanol can have issues in cold weather, potentially leading to starting difficulties in lower temperatures.
Conclusion
In summary, flex-fuel can be a good option for many drivers, particularly those looking to reduce their environmental impact and save on fuel costs. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks, such as decreased fuel economy and availability issues. If you're considering making the switch to flex-fuel, I recommend consulting with a trusted auto service provider to ensure your vehicle is compatible and to discuss the best options for your driving habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does flex-fuel burn so fast?
The loss in MPG is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel that you're running. The drop in fuel economy is because ethanol has lower energy content per gallon than gasoline. E85 also burns faster than regular gasoline because it vaporizes faster.
Is flex fuel better than regular gas?
What Is Flex Fuel: E85 Quick Facts. E85 fuel is blended from about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Flex fuel vehicles can use E85 or regular unleaded; traditional gas engines cannot use E85 flex fuel. E85 costs around 60 cents less per gallon than regular gas, but vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon.
What is the downside of flex fuel?
The cons of flex-fuel vehicles are that they have less mileage, have an effect on crop economy, and have limited availability. In an emergency, you can put standard gasoline in your flex-fuel car.
Why does flex fuel burn so fast?
The loss in MPG is dependent on the actual ethanol content of the fuel that you're running. The drop in fuel economy is because ethanol has lower energy content per gallon than gasoline. E85 also burns faster than regular gasoline because it vaporizes faster.
Is it safe to use flex fuel all the time?
E85 is such an effective cleaner that some people run about 1 or 2 tanks worth of E85 through their engines instead of using a fuel injector cleaner. A surefire way to ensure that your engine remains clean is to use E85 often (or all the time).
What are the downsides of E85?
In fact, your car's fuel economy can drop by up to 30% when you switch to E85. E85 can damage your car's engine: Ethanol is a corrosive substance that can wear down your engine's components over time. Ethanol can also cause problems with your car's fuel system and ignition system.
What happens if I put E85 instead of 87?
This fuel's chemical make-up is derived mostly from biomass materials such as corn. If you accidentally put E85 fuel in a car built for regular petroleum-based gasoline, chances are your check engine light will come on. And while that's never a good feeling, a one-time mistake shouldn't cause engine damage.
Does flex fuel give you better gas mileage?
While E85 is typically cheaper per gallon than gasoline it might be more expensive per mile. Since ethanol contains less energy per volume than gasoline, FFVs will generally get 15%-27% fewer miles per gallon when fueled with E85, depending on the car and the driver's driving habits.
Can I put 87 in a flex-fuel car?
So, filling up your FFV with regular gas would make sense if you can't find an E85 pump at a station. Yes, you can use regular gasoline in an FFV without any problems or causing damage to your engine. In fact, most FFVs will run just fine on unleaded gas.
Will flex fuel hurt a regular engine?
This fuel's chemical make-up is derived mostly from biomass materials such as corn. If you accidentally put E85 fuel in a car built for regular petroleum-based gasoline, chances are your check engine light will come on. And while that's never a good feeling, a one-time mistake shouldn't cause engine damage.
