Just top off my 2010 F150 XLT SCrew 4x4 today with E85 fuel, got to about 33 gallons at the pump. I have about 1500 miles on my truck right now.
Yes, E85 is slightly cheaper but I noticed that mileage also suffered.
Is this how it should be?

 

Yep. Thermal efficiency of E-85 is way less than regular gasoline. Expect about a 30-40% drop in fuel economy.

 

Rule-of-thumb I've heard is that the cost of E85 needs to be about 3/4 of the cost of regular unleaded for the break-even point on fuel cost per mile.

 

It is sad but true and I see that our goverment paid extra to make sure that most of their vehicles are flex fuel capable. There is no economy in E85 and you loaf of bread cost went way up!

I like the way BP calls this 10% alcohol "Invigorate" while our milage get worst and worst is os supposed to be so good for our engines! LOL!

 

Wrong, the cost ratio is negative using E-85 in any application. Anyone that has put a tank of E-85 through can attest that about 12 MPG's is the best they can attain.

 

Ahhh, the difference between theory and reality.

If the vehicle gets 12mpg on E85, and 20mpg on regular unleaded, then the E85 cost would need to be on the order of 60% of the price of regular unleaded as a breakeven point on fuel cost per mile.

Suggest the majority of those seriously using E85 are the tree-huggin' bunny lovers or those with performance tuners looking to take advantage of the higher octane rating at the expense of fuel economy.

At any rate, in regards to the original question, it would seem normal and acceptable to achieve lower fuel economy using E85 as compared to regular unleaded - the variable seems to be how much lower.

 

I would avoid it.
If Ford has to put so many caveats and warnings in the Owners Manual, like the excerpt below, it seems that 85% may be more trouble than it is worth.

Now if you live down the street from an ethanol plant and can get it dirt cheap, maybe. LOL


FFV engine (if equipped)
If your vehicle is flex fuel capable, it is designed to use Fuel Ethanol
(Ed75–Ed85), “Regular” unleaded gasoline or any mixture of the two
fuels.
Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause powertrain
damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your warranty may be
invalidated.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E85. If you do
switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible—at least half a tank. Do not add less than five gallons (18.9L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least 5 miles (8 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change in
ethanol concentration.
If you operate your vehicle 50% or more of the time on ethanol, you
should follow a different maintenance schedule. In addition to this, if you
exclusively use E85 fuel, it is also recommended to fill the fuel tank with
regular unleaded gasoline once every 3,000 miles (4,800 km). See
scheduled maintenance information for more information.

Special Operating Conditions
However, if one or more of the Special Operating Conditions outlined below better describes how you
typically operate your vehicle, you will need to perform some maintenance services more often than the Normal
Schedule recommends.
• Towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads
• Extensive idling and/or driving at low-speeds for long distances
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Off-road operation
• Use of E85 fuel 50% of the time or greater (flex fuel vehicles only)

 

Thanks for the input, Hat!

I try really hard to keep an open mind on the environmental claims, costs, and benefits of renewable fuels - while working to stay focused that cheaper and greener is not necessarily less expensive or 'better' in the overall scheme.

One of the many Murphy's Law offshoots is to make sure that the solution isn't worse than the original problem. I have one FFV vehicle - it's never seen any ethanol other than that currently required by law, because of my perception that the drawbacks of ethanol exceed the benefits.

At least Missouri has taken a halfway reasonable approach - a compromise, IMO. The 10% ethanol blend is mandated only when the composite wholesale price of E10 is less than the cost of straight regular unleaded.

 

Amen.

 

Thank you everyone for all these information.
Well, I'm about half the tank now on E85 and averaging 10.4 mpg combined city and hwy.