Unlead vs E85

[CigarGuy]

Just bought a new F150 that runs either type of gas. I've read that E85 gets about 15 to 20% less mpg's. Noticed it's priced about .50 cheaper per gallon. What to you guy's run.....or think about E85???

[deadeye]

If you plan on trying it stick with it for at least a month or two to see what it does for you. Once everything adjusts you should see its not too bad. Don't go off of the results from the first couple tanks you run through.

Its a love/hate thing with many opinions out There on it but I say give it the old college try and find out for yourself.

I run it in my talon and love it for that car. Granted its highly modified and set up for it but in That car its awesome. Mpgs are maybe 15% less if I were to guess.

I don't have a proper e85 vehicle otherwise to try it in. If I did I would do a 2 month experement to see what it really does in the real world. There is a lot of b s out there about it either way so it would be nice to see a proper experement done with it.

[BobT]

I think using it for a month or two is a good suggestion if you decide to try it. I wonder too, how dramatic the winter weather difference is vs summer weather. For example, the cost/mile or performance difference during the winter may be different than the cost/mile or performance difference during the summer months due to temperature changes.

[zamboni]

When I was married, the minivan we had, a 2000 Gr Caravan burned either. A couple summers ago when gas was hovering close to the $4 mark, we tried burning E85 a few times in it. You could practically see the gas gauge move when you drove it. We switched back to unleaded, the price difference to mileage difference wasn't worth it.

[harvey lee]

I tried it in mt Chevy pickup. If I could purchase it for about 85-90 cents less than gas, it might be ok. The E-85 around me is about 40 cents less than gas.

I won't use it in this truck again unless it drops in price about another 60.

[spearchucker]

When I was married, the minivan we had, a 2000 Gr Caravan burned either. A couple summers ago when gas was hovering close to the $4 mark, we tried burning E85 a few times in it. You could practically see the gas gauge move when you drove it. We switched back to unleaded, the price difference to mileage difference wasn't worth it.

The old Chysler vans had a switch you had to flip to tell it if you were burning E85 or regular. The newer vehicles have come a long way and adjust automatically. That said you will still get worse mileage, but maybe not as bad as it used to be.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The old Chysler vans had a switch you had to flip to tell it if you were burning E85 or regular.

Really?

[spearchucker]

Yes, it was under the hood I think. I'm not sure what year that was though.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks for the thoughts. I saw E85 for 2.19 and now unleaded is about 2.89. As soon as I need gas, I'm going to try it.

[spearchucker]

Thanks for the thoughts. I saw E85 for 2.19 and now unleaded is about 2.89. As soon as I need gas, I'm going to try it.

You won't know how it will run in your vehicle until you try it.

[magnum mike]

I have run it in my Yukon XL and until the price spread is greater, it isn't worth it. There is no noticable difference in performance but milage is dramatic. It is worse in the winter.

[CigarGuy]

So at .60 to .70 per gallon less, it's still not worth it?

[deadeye]

Do the % math. Say you loose 20% mileage (worst case from my experience). Is that better than the what % your getting off of the fuel?

So if gas is 2.95 a gallon and you take 20% off of that your at 2.36 per gallon. Thats what you would have to be at to break even with e85. If e85 is 65c cheaper than 2.95 your getting it at 2.30 a gallon.

Seems to me you still end up 5% ahead assuming its 65c cheaper.

While I do fail at math and could have really fubar'd that equation up (someone who doesn;t fail at math please correct me if im wrong!!!!) it still seems to me that 5% is money in your pocket at worse case scenario....(if i didnt fail at math in this case)

[spearchucker]

As Deadeye said, it all depends on how much mileage you lose from the E85. You will have to calculate and find out for yourself their is not catch all number, it depends on the individual vehicle. Some lose 20% mileage some lose a little less, some maybe a little more.

[Scott K]

Also as said before run several tanks through your vehicle before using the numbers, it takes a while for your vehicle to get it all figured out. The worst thing is to run one tank through, use those numbers then switch back.