FL150

Has anyone tried E85 in their 5.4L?

In the Sales lit for my 09 F150 4X4 it shows the HP and Torque go up with E85, but the MPG goes way down - especial Highway. So has anyone experimented with E85 and Gas to see if there is any Power improvement and if the MPG really does sacrafice alot on E85.

The reason I ask is that the Gas Station I use just put an E85 Pump in. Now all there 'regular' Gas pumps indicate their Gas contains anywere from 1 to 10% Ethanol. Are there Brands that don't use any Ethanol (ex Exxon, Mobil, etc.) The gas I use is generic.

*** From the 2009 F150 Sale Literature ***
5.4L 3-valve V8 (gas) 6-speed auto. O/D
HP 310 @ 5000
Torque 365 @ 3500
City 14 mpg
Highway 18 mpg

5.4L 3-valve V8 (E85) 6-speed auto. O/D
HP 320 @ 5200
Torque 390 @ 3500
City 10 mpg
Highway 13 mpg

zitterich246

This topic has been posted many times. I get about 15 mpg on e85. It also was $1.94 at the pump today, where gas(10%ethanol) was $2.68. It does seem to have a little more power. I drive mostly highway and get around 18 mpg on regular gas

IrightI

You will see close to a 30% reduction in fuel mileage when using E85. If you are going for strictly financial reasons, that means E85 will have to be at least 30% cheaper than gasoline. However, there are lots of other reasons to burn E85 so it's up to you.

FL150

Sorry - I did a search for 'E85' and it came up with nothing. I just tried that search again and again Nothing, Not even this Thread that I started. I just search for Ethanol and yes you are right - a number of Threads came up.

For those who replied - thank you.

Sorry about creating a new thread on an old subject.

MHC-F150

E85 has its goods/bads. Ran it in my 2006 during the high gas prices of the 2008 summer. Got E85 for roughly $1.99-$2.19 when gasoline was well over $3 per gallon.

Yes you will notice a very slight increase in the seat of the pants power. I mostly noticed the throttle response. But you will also notice the decrease in mpgs. When I did my calculations, it required E85 to be roughly 70 cents cheaper for E85 to be cost effective, just for mpgs. Keep in mind you have to change your oil more often when running E85, so you will need to calculate those costs into your cost effective strategy. Highway mileage really hurt, where city driving wasn't nearly as bad.

Give it a few tanks try and see what you think.

Remsen

I just tried a tank of E85 last week for the first time. The price difference was $.60 per gallon ($2.60 for E85, $3.20 for regular unleaded) and I just wanted to test it out. The mileage drop was definitely noticeable...15 mpg freeway versus the usual 19 or so. So the cost was pretty close to the same on a cost per mile basis. I didn't notice any power increase but I did notice how fast the tank emptied. I wasn't impressed with using E85...if the cost is about the same I'd rather have the greater range per tank of fuel that gas gives. And I also did a search for E85 here before I tried it out and for whatever reason nothing showed up...if you search for "ethanol" then you get all the E85 threads.

Jason

My experience is with a 2010 Raptor, and off road the torque is definitely there earlier in the pedal stroke with E85. Worth the lower gas mileage, in my opinion in those situations. Not sure I'd go out of my way for it during daily driving though.

bajaman

I was just researching this myself today, as there is a local station that carries E85. I haven't checked the price yet, but yes...as others have said here and a host of Web information shows, you'll lose 25% - 30% mileage with E85. There just isn't the BTUs in ethanol that there is in good old dino droppings. I get 14 mpg on gas with my 2010 FX4, and the idea of only getting 9 or 10 mpg on E85 has me thinking that unless E85 comes in at about $1.80 a gallon somewhere, I won't be running it as I pay about $2.40 - $2.50 per gallon for gas currently.

2manytoyz

We use E85 in a van at work (Govt installation). Since Uncle is buying the fuel, cost isn't an issue, but there are some difference.

Honestly, I didn't notice a difference in power. The engine runs with plenty of power. It now uses E85 exclusively, no issues in the past two years.

The exhaust definitely has an alcohol odor to it. Not a big deal unless you leave the engine running while loading through the back doors.

It is a tad more difficult to start when the temps get into the 40s (cold for FL). Cranks for 5+ more seconds. Lights off quickly all Summer. I have read colder climates this becomes a much bigger issue.

I read the same brochure regarding fuel economy. If I could get it cheap enough, I'd probably burn it. But this isn't a corn state, and E85 would be pricey here (off base). FWIW, I've never seen anything but E10 offered anywhere around here.

cujet

I use E85 from time to time. It makes far more power. Especially when it's very hot out. It seem the cooling effect of alcohol works wonders on hot days.

In the Florida winter, the difference is not as great. However, it is noticeable.

My 5.4L s-crew 4x4 won't spin the tires at all on gas. But will do so with ease on E85. That is, until the traction control takes over.

My MPG goes way down, but the cost per mile is really within the noise (effectively the same) as E85 is considerably cheaper. I get about 20% lower economy. I do not get 30% worse, as was reported above.

That makes sense, as the blend ratio of gas/alcohol and the energy content of each fuel would dictate a 23-26% drop in economy, if no tuning changes are made. The Ford does compensate quite well and adjusts for the higher octane. Quite unlike many other brands.

Remember that the blend ratio of gasoline can be as low as 15% (15% gas/85% ethanol). But in the winter it's up to 30% gasoline for starting reasons.

A. 76,000 = BTU of energy in a gallon of ethanol
B. 116,090 = BTU of energy in a gallon of gasoline
C. .655 = 2/3 = GGE of energy in a gallon of ethanol. A / B.
D. 1.53 = Gallons of ethanol with the energy of 1 gallon of gasoline.