E85

[3slow98]

My local gas station just opened a e85 pump. At $2.99 for e85 and $4.95 for 87 it’s much cheaper. I filled my tank with the e85 this morning and it seems to be running great but I’m wondering if there are any long term side effects since it’s more corrosive. My owners manual says my 3.0 is flex fuel capable. Anything I should be worried about?

 

[19Walt93]

Nope, as long as it's flex fuel, if I remember right the vin code for a 3.0 flex fuel was a V. The mileage will be lower burning E85 because alcohol has fewer BTUs of energy than gasoline.

 

[racsan]

Ive ran E85 in the escape a few times when theres been a huge price difference. fuel mileage noticeably less with E85, if its a weekend with a lot of driving to do I wont bother using it since it will just need more before the work week (its her daily driver) Ive not tried it for towing, not sure I want to as dragging the box trailer already lowers the mpg from 21 to 15. Some of it is having the the downgrade button pushed on the shifter which cancels overdrive but this trailer has always pulled hard , 6x10 V-nose. Its like dragging a parachute behind you. The only thing thats not really noticed it was back there was dads super duty 5.4
As long as its a “E85 rated” system, you could constantly run E85, shouldnt be a problem.

 

[sgtsandman]

The Flex Fuel capable vehicles have a “hardened” fuel system to handle the extra ethanol and different injectors for the same reason. I think that is the main differences. The flex fuel vehicles usually have some sort of badging to indicate it is a flex fuel. I would make certain you have a flex fuel vehicle before I make it a regular thing. Too much ethanol in a fuel system not designed for it will get damaged over time.

Other than that, like noted above, fuel mileage is going to drop because it takes more fuel to generate similar power.

 

[JohnnyO]

If it's Flex Fuel rated it will be fine. My first Ranger was a 99 3.0 Flex Fuel although at that time we did not have E85 where I live.
Do change the fuel filter after a few tanks of E85 as it will clean out gunk in the tank and fuel system.
The extra ethanol will absorb water and can clog the injectors after a while so run a bottle of quality fuel system cleaner at every oil change. I use Chevron Techron. You should do that anyway regardless of what gas you use.
My wife's Chrysler minivan is Flex Fuel but when she tried a few tanks of E85 because it was cheaper she found the gas mileage dropped enough that she didn't really save any money.
I often run E15 88 in my new Ranger, here it's 20 cents cheaper than regular 87 and gas mileage seems to be unaffected.

 

[RustyShackleford94]

E85 does a great job breaking up the carbon in the engine. The octane rating is insane so you could really crank the timing in if you have the proper tuning equipment. Crappy fuel milage though.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The Flex Fuel capable vehicles have a “hardened” fuel system to handle the extra ethanol and different injectors for the same reason. I think that is the main differences. The flex fuel vehicles usually have some sort of badging to indicate it is a flex fuel. I would make certain you have a flex fuel vehicle before I make it a regular thing. Too much ethanol in a fuel system not designed for it will get damaged over time.

Other than that, like noted above, fuel mileage is going to drop because it takes more fuel to generate similar power.

I think the ECM also has some differences as well

 

[pjtoledo]

Yep, for certain years, (IDK ???) the ECM received input from the flex fuel sensor/alcohol content gizmo in the fuel line.