Flex Fuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

[JohnD]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

2012 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 Vortec 6.0L V8

Sounds like we both have the same engine . . .

Are you happy with the towing capability for your North Trail?

I have only towed my trailer around town with my new truck, but will be pulling it up into the mountains next week for the first time with the new truck to the 2014 Colorado Heartland Owners Club Fall Rally in Rifle, Colorado!

 

[porthole]

The mandate in many states to use ethanol (E10,E85) as a gasoline additive helps no one except perhaps farmers. ........
Although we wouldn't have this fuel additive without the farm lobby, show me a farmer that actually uses E85 in the fields. They understand that ethanol has too little energy for the money.

And there in lies the real reason we have this "performance poor" fuel. Lobbyist, farmers and government subsidies. Subsidies to either grow or not grow the corn.

E-85 is so detrimental to the recreational market that two of the biggest recreational groups having been fighting the mandates for years now.

The AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) and BoatUS.

 

[sjs731]

Corn farmers are probably hating this year. Last year corn hit $8/bushel. This year right now I think it's $3.80. That was the last price I saw in WI.


Steve and Carrie

HOC# 2252

2007 GMC 2500HD Duramax

B&W Companion Hitch

2012 Sundance 3300CK

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Silverado23]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

Sounds like we both have the same engine . . .

Are you happy with the towing capability for your North Trail?

I have only towed my trailer around town with my new truck, but will be pulling it up into the mountains next week for the first time with the new truck to the 2014 Colorado Heartland Owners Club Fall Rally in Rifle, Colorado!

View attachment 31829 View attachment 31830

So far yes, I am very happy towing my north trail with my 2500 gasser.
After spending most of the summer running E85. I switched back to regular E-10 for a couple of tanks. The winter blend is out right now for gas and I noticed that performance/economy had dropped. I added about 10 gallons of E-85 on top of the 20 or so gallons of E-10 I already had in the tank. Within about 3 miles, It seemed like I was back up to summer fuel economy. It almost seemed like an immediate power boost. By the time I drove 25 miles home, I was at about 14MPG on E85/E10 blend estimated to be around E30 equivalent.

 

[JohnD]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

So far yes, I am very happy towing my north trail with my 2500 gasser.
After spending most of the summer running E85. I switched back to regular E-10 for a couple of tanks. The winter blend is out right now for gas and I noticed that performance/economy had dropped. I added about 10 gallons of E-85 on top of the 20 or so gallons of E-10 I already had in the tank. Within about 3 miles, It seemed like I was back up to summer fuel economy. It almost seemed like an immediate power boost. By the time I drove 25 miles home, I was at about 14MPG on E85/E10 blend estimated to be around E30 equivalent.

Well, my new 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD gasser with the 4.10 rear end pulled our 8000 pound Trail Runner over the 10,000+ feet above sea level pass over the Continental Divide with no issues whatsoever!

So far I am very happy with my purchase and do not regret not going with a diesel.

Right now, at about 300 miles under 5000 miles on the truck, it is getting roughly 14 MPG using regular unleaded.

I haven't tried any E85 in it yet as there are no stations on my daily driving routes that carry E85.

I just topped off the tank tonight at the Lone Tree, Colorado Costco, paying $2.89.9 for regular unleaded.

I know of a couple of gas stations somewhat near our house that carry E85 and will try it soon!

 

[Silverado23]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

Well, my new 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD gasser with the 4.10 rear end pulled our 8000 pound Trail Runner over the 10,000+ feet above sea level pass over the Continental Divide with no issues whatsoever!

I just topped off the tank tonight at the Lone Tree, Colorado Costco, paying $2.89.9 for regular unleaded.

I know of a couple of gas stations somewhat near our house that carry E85 and will try it soon!

Regular unleaded with ethanol here is $2.99/gallon but E85 is $2.17. My estimated break even cost for E85 with gas at $2.99 is around $2.56/gal. so the bigger the difference the more the savings when using E85. Another way to look at this is at $2.99 for regular @14 MPG the breakeven in mileage with E85 is $2.17@10MPG. I usually get around 15MPG on Regular or 13MPG on E85. I have 22,000 miles on my truck with 3.73 rear end

 

[porthole]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

Best we can do with E-85 is not buy it.

Nothing more then a $$$ scam when you look behind the scenes.

Good read here.Wikipedia info

Not in a flex fuel, and plus that they have not used rubber in a motor vehicle or general aviation aircraft for 40 years.

Well maybe not in true sense in comparing to what Charley Goodyear came up with in the 1800's.

But from a LOT of experience I can say when gasoline properties started changing in the late 70's - early 80's, those synthetic flexible parts that resembles rubber were failing at record rates.

And when E15 showed up the recreational market really took a hit. What a joy to have your fuel tank start to disintegrate 20 miles off shore.

All a "flex-fuel" vehicle really is is one that has been built to withstand the detrimental affects of E-15 to E-85.

In the end, it costs the consumers more.

 

[dave10a]

Re: FlexFuel (E85) . . . anyone got the scoop on it!

Looks as though special interest groups have more influence on our government than sound engineering. My advise would be to avoid E85 if possible.