Flex fuel?
Flex fuel?
04-22-2013, 11:11 AM
#2
One Bad MoFoMoCo Owner
Congrats on your new to you truck!!!
Yes, I do run it. I run a couple tanks of E85, then a couple of regular.
Right now E85 is significantly cheaper than regular, $2.99 vs $3.45 / gallon. However, the mileage on my 2012 drops from 17 average to around 14 mpgs. So it evens out. As gas prices drop, you won't save money by running ethanol.
The real reason is for performance. This engine wakes up on E85! It's damn beasty!
While it only gains nets a 10 hp gain according to Ford (which I think is significantly understated, since there are trucks showing nearly a .7 second increase in their quarter mile times just from switching to E85), what is really felt is the flattened torque curve. You can feel the power come on much more quickly, and if not careful, will get wheelspin at quarter throttle on take offs. You can hear it in the exhaust as well. It gets deeper and throatier. Interestingly enough, it idles smoother and quieter than on regular though. Ford did a great job of tuning the stock exhaust.
What others have found, is that the coyote engine also like towing better on E-85, and the mileage barely changes under load. Additionally, the flatter torque curve increases the ability of the truck to hold gears on those steep hills with a load. I believe this is due to Ford doing a great job of providing the right mapping for E85. The sensors in the truck pick up that you are running E85 versus regular versus premium within a few minutes, and the mapping hcanges accordingly.
That said, the manual recommends running a tank of regular at least every third tank. This is likely due to the fact that E85 is harsher on all the internals.
Yes, I do run it. I run a couple tanks of E85, then a couple of regular.
Right now E85 is significantly cheaper than regular, $2.99 vs $3.45 / gallon. However, the mileage on my 2012 drops from 17 average to around 14 mpgs. So it evens out. As gas prices drop, you won't save money by running ethanol.
The real reason is for performance. This engine wakes up on E85! It's damn beasty!
While it only gains nets a 10 hp gain according to Ford (which I think is significantly understated, since there are trucks showing nearly a .7 second increase in their quarter mile times just from switching to E85), what is really felt is the flattened torque curve. You can feel the power come on much more quickly, and if not careful, will get wheelspin at quarter throttle on take offs. You can hear it in the exhaust as well. It gets deeper and throatier. Interestingly enough, it idles smoother and quieter than on regular though. Ford did a great job of tuning the stock exhaust.
What others have found, is that the coyote engine also like towing better on E-85, and the mileage barely changes under load. Additionally, the flatter torque curve increases the ability of the truck to hold gears on those steep hills with a load. I believe this is due to Ford doing a great job of providing the right mapping for E85. The sensors in the truck pick up that you are running E85 versus regular versus premium within a few minutes, and the mapping hcanges accordingly.
That said, the manual recommends running a tank of regular at least every third tank. This is likely due to the fact that E85 is harsher on all the internals.
The following 2 users liked this post by sullyman:
carpntr63 (04-22-2013),
terpfan122 (04-22-2013)
04-22-2013, 04:01 PM
#3
Senior Member
Canadian here so I'm not sure what E85 is. Is the 85 the octane? Our 91 octane is ethanol free and there is even a 94 octane at select stations. (expensive as crap)
I would think running ethanol free would be better on engine components in the long run if cost is not an issue?
I would think running ethanol free would be better on engine components in the long run if cost is not an issue?
04-22-2013, 04:16 PM
#4
Senior Member
E85 is 85% denatured ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline....used in flex-fuel vehicles in the US.
Canadian here so I'm not sure what E85 is. Is the 85 the octane? Our 91 octane is ethanol free and there is even a 94 octane at select stations. (expensive as crap)
I would think running ethanol free would be better on engine components in the long run if cost is not an issue?
I would think running ethanol free would be better on engine components in the long run if cost is not an issue?
04-22-2013, 04:27 PM
#5
Haven't found a station that carries ethanol down here except for E10.
04-22-2013, 05:35 PM
#6
Senior Member
Alot of the shell stations down here have it.
Have yet to put any in the 2013 and probably wont.
Have yet to put any in the 2013 and probably wont.
04-22-2013, 06:28 PM
#7
Senior Member
I was reading through the manual about flex. It states that mileage will decrease by using it. So, in doing the math, it comes out to be a little bit less efficient to run the E85. So, I've never used it. There arent any stations between me and work either, and I won't drive out of my way for it. I think I'd give it a whirl if it was convenient.
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04-23-2013, 06:00 PM
#8
Senior Member
I would run E85 when gas around here would get to 4 bucks a gallon. I liked it and my truck surely didn't seem to mind it either. The last time I used it was almost .50 a gallon cheaper than 87 octane.
