What is the downside of flex fuel?
Flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) have gained popularity for their ability to run on both gasoline and ethanol blends, such as E85. While they offer environmental benefits and flexibility at the pump, it's important to understand the potential downsides before making the switch. At Kevin's Autos, we’ve seen firsthand how these factors can impact vehicle performance and maintenance.
1. Reduced Fuel Efficiency
One of the most significant drawbacks of flex fuel is its lower fuel efficiency compared to traditional gasoline. Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, which means your vehicle will need more fuel to travel the same distance. This can result in more frequent trips to the pump and higher overall fuel costs, especially if E85 prices are not significantly lower than regular gasoline.
2. Limited Availability of E85
While flex fuel vehicles can run on both gasoline and ethanol blends, the availability of E85 (a common ethanol blend) can be limited depending on your location. In some areas, finding a station that offers E85 can be challenging, making it less convenient for drivers who want to take full advantage of their FFV's capabilities.
3. Potential Engine Wear and Maintenance Issues
Although flex fuel vehicles are designed to handle ethanol blends, ethanol can be more corrosive than gasoline. Over time, this can lead to increased wear on certain engine components, such as fuel lines and injectors. Additionally, ethanol can absorb moisture, which may contribute to rust and other issues in the fuel system if the vehicle is not used regularly.
4. Cold Weather Performance Challenges
Flex fuel vehicles may experience performance issues in colder climates. Ethanol has a lower vapor pressure than gasoline, which can make it harder for the engine to start in cold weather. This is particularly noticeable with higher ethanol blends like E85, which may require additional measures to ensure reliable cold starts.
5. Environmental Concerns
While ethanol is often touted as a cleaner-burning alternative to gasoline, its production and use are not without environmental drawbacks. The cultivation of crops like corn for ethanol can lead to deforestation, water usage concerns, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, the energy required to produce and transport ethanol can offset some of its environmental benefits.
Conclusion
Flex fuel vehicles offer versatility and the potential for reduced emissions, but they are not without their downsides. Reduced fuel efficiency, limited availability of E85, potential maintenance issues, cold weather challenges, and environmental concerns are all factors to consider. At Kevin's Autos, we recommend weighing these pros and cons carefully to determine if a flex fuel vehicle is the right choice for your needs. If you have questions or need advice, feel free to reach out to our experienced team for guidance!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you switch between flex-fuel and regular?
You can but you shouldn't. Your vehicle computer “learns” the fuel you are using and adjusts accordingly. You won't get your best mileage with your first tank of e85 nor with your first tank going back to e10 (which is by far the most likely fuel you are able to buy unless you burn some form of premium fuel.).
Is it bad to use regular gas in a flex-fuel vehicle?
No, you can use regular unleaded gas in your flex fuel vehicle. It will not harm the motor. You should get better mileage than when using E85, which is up to 85% ethanol.
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).
How much horsepower does E85 add?
However, it's not uncommon for engines to see power gains of 5% to 15% when running E85. This means that an engine producing 400 horsepower on gasoline could potentially see an increase of up to 60 horsepower on E85.
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.
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 a good idea to buy a flex fuel?
There are no benefits to using it, in fact it's worse for gas mileage than regular gas. It's also not good to switch back and forth often or mix them. If you put E85 in the tank you should stick with it. The only reason we even have that crap is because of government sweetheart deals and corn subsidies.
Will flex-fuel damage my engine?
The short answer is no. E85 has been tested and certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in FFVs, which means that it is approved for safe use in these vehicles. In fact, many experts believe that using E85 can actually provide better performance than regular gasoline in certain models of FFVs.
Does flex-fuel get worse 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.
What are common problems with flex fuel vehicles?
The drawbacks to using E85 include reduced fuel efficiency. The EPA states that flex-fuel vehicles return mileage that is between 15 and 27 percent worse than a regular gas-fueled engine because of the lower energy content in the fuel. This is offset somewhat by the typically cheaper price at the pump for E85.
