Loving my E85 right now

[swathdiver]

@iamdub Is higher ethenol bad? Should I not run the E85 In my picture?

The more the merrier! As you can see from the sticker on the pump, we don't really know what we're getting until the ECM figures it out!

My 5.3 gets generally the same gas mileage whether it's straight 93 octane, E10 to E30. At E40 through E85, the computer switches to the high octane tables and across this spread gets about the same gas mileage but of course it is less than the E0 to E30.

I wish more people would log their fuel stops so we could compare notes.

 

[vinbart]

Oh man, should I jump on the E85 bandwagon? SoCal resident looking at $6.19 for 87, or $3.10 for E85.
I've never run 85 - do I need to do anything other than pour it in the tank?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@vinbart Do your research and find out if E85 is right for you but when you are ready, if you have a flex fuel Tahoe just fill the tank with it and enjoy.

At those prices you will be getting fuel that runs much better in your motor for much less than regular 87, I usually run 91. Simply put your price spread is much better than even mine, you'll be able to afford many more additional carne asada burritos than me by switching to E85.

 

[vinbart]

@vinbart be able to afford many more additional carne asada burritos than me by switching to E85.

You had me at burritos!

 

[gooffeyguy]

The E85 I usually get is from a Mobil station near me. The last couple tanks have given me 56% and 58%. While the higher the alcohol content "should" give you reduced mileage, it will also have a lower cost because there's less gasoline in the mix. This explains why the E85 price at my local station is a bit higher than others.

 

[vinbart]

That settles it, I'm going full E85 and will report back.

 

[TollKeeper]

Oh man, should I jump on the E85 bandwagon? SoCal resident looking at $6.19 for 87, or $3.10 for E85.
I've never run 85 - do I need to do anything other than pour it in the tank?

You should have already been on the E85 wagon! Thats a 50% savings, for a 18-24% drop in fuel mileage. So you are going to save!

I did the E85 math yesterday for my situation. Gas prices for me are 3.89. E85 is 3.19. Its not quite there yet.

I also dont have a E85 capable vehicle, but even if I did, I would likely be spending more.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Also for those that have a 6.2 and run premium, the savings is greater when you compare E85 prices to Premium (91-93) prices.

 

[swathdiver]

Also for those that have a 6.2 and run premium, the savings is greater when you compare E85 prices to Premium (91-93) prices.

I only burn 93 or E85 in my 5.3! No swill for my baby!

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@swathdiver Same I only run 91 which makes E85 that more worth it. I started running 91 when I was fighting idle stumble when I first got it and that seemed to help and have been running it ever since. Tahoe runs just fine with E85 too

 

[gooffeyguy]

Oh and although it's not as noticeable on naturally aspirated engines, but it does make the air charge/combustion chamber cooler. It's really noticeable on turbo/supercharged engines. Enough so, that you can run without an inter/after cooler

 

[iamdub]

@iamdub Is higher ethenol bad? Should I not run the E85 In my picture?

No. Ethanol is good in an E85-capable (FlexFuel) vehicle. It's even better for those that run 91-93 octane because then you benefit financially.

I was just mentioning the actual Ethanol content of what you're getting outta the pump. It's rarely the full 85% Ethanol and the content seems to vary by region. Everywhere I've gotten from around me has been around 65%. So, technically, you would call it E65.

 

[swathdiver]

No. Ethanol is good in an E85-capable (FlexFuel) vehicle. It's even better for those that run 91-93 octane because then you benefit financially.

I was just mentioning the actual Ethanol content of what you're getting outta the pump. It's rarely the full 85% Ethanol and the content seems to vary by region. Everywhere I've gotten from around me has been around 65%. So, technically, you would call it E65.

Technically, it's either called E70 or E85! The "industry standard" is still fluid and changing!

E0, E10, E15, E20, E25, E30, E40, E50, E70, E85, E85R

E70 can be from 51% to 70% and E85 from 51% to 83%.

 

[the 18th letter]

What's the content when pump say may contain up to 10% ethanol. Is that advisable for non flex vehicles?

 

[gooffeyguy]

What's the content when pump say may contain up to 10% ethanol. Is that advisable for non flex vehicles?

That's just pretty much any regular fuel these days and called E10. It is safe to run in non-e85 equipped vehicles.

My riding mower and generators all have notices around the fuel cap to run maximum of E10

 

[iamdub]

Technically, it's either called E70 or E85! The "industry standard" is still fluid and changing!

E0, E10, E15, E20, E25, E30, E40, E50, E70, E85, E85R

E70 can be from 51% to 70% and E85 from 51% to 83%.

I wasn't gonna make it any more complicated! What, do you think I try to be thorough in my replies or something?

 

[robgreg75]

You will get much better fuel economy if you advance the timing. I reprogrammed my 2010 and have gotten 14.5-15mph on E85 trips on the highway. Also with the increased timing you will make more power thus allowing the 4 cylinder mode to be active longer.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... allowing the 4 cylinder mode to be active longer.

If your vehicle is a long term investment, V4 mode should be permanently disabled, one way or another.
V4 mode in and of itself wears out the TCC, which usually takes out the transmission.
On top of that, V4 mode lifters tend to fail well before simple lifters (simple lifters just age).

PLENTY of posts and threads on the subject of V4 mode being a long term liability.

 

[robgreg75]

If your vehicle is a long term investment, V4 mode should be permanently disabled, one way or another.
V4 mode in and of itself wears out the TCC, which usually takes out the transmission.
On top of that, V4 mode lifters tend to fail well before simple lifters (simple lifters just age).

PLENTY of posts and threads on the subject of V4 mode being a long term liability.

Yes I had a lifter collapse at about 277k miles. I reprogrammed mine from about the time it was new to run as a V4 for longer.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Unfortunately, merely disabling V4 mode helps somewhat, but it is not a true or complete fix.
The V4 mode hardware ITSELF is the weakness.
Even if the engine never once impersonates a V4, the V4 lifters are still not as robust as the simpler lifters.
The real fix is to remove ALL the V4 mode hardware and replace it all with simple V8 stuff.