What is Flex Fuel? It’s a frequently asked question among drivers; when they’re looking for a new or used car. If you’ve seen the word Flex Fuel, FFV or E85 Compatible on a vehicle, you may not have been fully aware of what it means or how it will impact your daily use. What about the expense savings of a Flex Fuel? Will it operate on standard petrol? But what about the environment with E85? These are questions that are relevant, particularly with the varying prices of fuel, and the rising popularity of alternative fuels in the United States.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) were created to provide the consumer with greater fuel pump options. These vehicles are not required to run on E85 ethanol fuel or any blend of it and gasoline, but can use a standard unleaded gasoline, as well. This flexibility lowers reliance on petroleum products and can promote the use of renewable fuels like ethanol from corn grown in the U.S.
But, having a FlexFuel does not necessarily translate into savings or improved fuel economy. The advantages it offers will vary based on your car type, driving style, regional fuel costs, and availability. The decision to consider Flex Fuel technology for use in the next vehicle depends on having an understanding of how the technology works.
We’ll discuss what Flex Fuel means, how Flexible Fuel Vehicles work, the pros and cons of E85 fuel and whether or not an FFV is a good idea in the market today.
Table of Contents
What Is Flex Fuel?
Flex Fuel: Alternative fuel system in which specially designed vehicles use more than one type of fuel. Flexible Fuel Vehicles can operate on any of the following fuels:
- Regular unleaded gasoline
- E10 (10% ethanol)
- All of them are treated with E15 (15% ethanol) when permitted.
- E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol or higher, depending on the season, depending on seasonal blends.
- Any blend of gasoline and ethanol in between these fuels
The main distinction is with respect to the vehicle’s engine administration framework. The sensors in Flex Fuel vehicles determine the ethanol level in the tank and then automatically adjust ignition timing, fuel injection and fuel/air ratios. The onboard computer takes care of all adjustments and settings, which drivers don’t need to change or adjust.
The driver can use a Flex Fuel vehicle just as they would a gasoline vehicle. The only distinguishing factor is the option offered at the gas station.
Due to the difference in burning characteristics between ethanol and gasoline, FFVs carry additional corrosion-resistant and durable components in the fuel system to ensure this type of fuel can be safely used for extended periods with a higher ethanol content.
There are millions of Flex Fuel vehicles on America’s roads, including many popular pickup trucks, SUVs, vans and passenger cars from automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Ram and beyond.
What Is E85 Fuel?
E85 is the fuel that is most commonly used in Flex Fuel vehicles. It is a mixture of up to 85% ethanol and the rest gasoline, and the exact amount of ethanol can be changed depending on climatic and seasonal needs.
Ethanol is a renewable fuel derived mainly from corn in the U.S.Ethanol is a renewable fuel that is mainly produced from corn in the United States. Ethanol can be produced from renewable resources such as agricultural crops and other plant materials, unlike petroleum-based gasoline, and is a key component in America’s renewable energy strategy.
E85 has the following key properties:
- Three types of fuels: 100% ethanol, E10 (10% ethanol) and E85 (85% ethanol)
- Higher octane rating
- Cleaner-burning fuel
- Reduce the energy density of the fuel.Decrease energy density of the fuel.
- Only suitable for FIVE (Flex Fuel Vehicles)
Many drivers are convinced that any car can run on E85 fuel. This is incorrect. Note: E85 may harm the fuel system of a vehicle that is not specifically designed and labeled as a Flex Fuel Vehicle, and could also reduce the manufacturer’s warranty.
While there are advantages to driving on E85 — it is often cheaper per gallon than regular gas — ethanol-based fuel also contains less energy and can cause some vehicles to run on lower fuel economy.
How Does a Flex Fuel Vehicle Work?
The driver doesn’t need to know what fuel is in the tank with a Flexible Fuel Vehicle. New engine management systems adjust fuel automatically, continuously checking the fuel composition.
There are a number of special parts that make this possible:
Ethanol Sensor
The car’s computer looks at the amount of ethanol in the fuel and communicates this data to the car’s electronic fuel management system.
Engine Control Unit (ECU)
The ECU analyzes the sensor signals and regulates the fuel supply, ignition timing and combustion processes for optimum engine performance.
Fuel Injectors
Since ethanol has a lower energy content than gasoline, different fuel amounts are being injected for different fuel blends.
Fuel System Materials
Fuel lines, seals, pumps and other parts of Flex Fuel vehicles are designed to withstand extended exposure to high concentrations of ethanol without the risk of corrosion and deteriorating performance.
The technology enables the driver to operate on either 85% ethanol or gasoline at any time, with no damage to the engine, and no special maintenance required.
Which Vehicles Are Flex Fuel Vehicles?
Many of the world’s more popular vehicles have been offered in Flex Fuel form over the years.
Common examples include:
Ford
- F-150
- Explorer
- Expedition
- E-Series Vans
Chevrolet
- Silverado
- Tahoe
- Suburban
- Impala
GMC
- Sierra
- Yukon
Ram
- Ram 1500
- Ram 2500
Chrysler & Dodge
There have been a few minivan and sedan models that have offered Flex Fuel options, too.
Even if the current model year does not provide for an FFV model, many used vehicles manufactured in the last 20 years feature the technology.
The easiest way to know if a vehicle is a Flex Fuel vehicle are:
- Yellow fuel cap
- “Flex Fuel” badge
- Fuel filler cap with E85 label on it
- Vehicle owner’s manual
- VIN lookup is available with the manufacturer.
Benefits of Flex Fuel Vehicles
There are several benefits of Flexible Fuel technology to drivers.
Greater Fuel Choice
The flexibility aspect is perhaps the largest one. Drivers need never make mechanical changes to their vehicles to switch between regular gasoline, E85 or a blend of the two at the pump.
Renewable Energy
Flex Fuel is a good way to draw in renewable energy production, since ethanol is quite a bit of the production originates in America-grown corn, and it further gives variety of transportation fuel sources.
Reduced Petroleum Dependence
Higher ethanol consumption decreases imports of petroleum, and promotes domestic fuel production.
High Octane Rating
E85 is usually a higher octane than standard gasoline, and can be advantageous for certain engines that are designed to use higher octane fuel.
Lower Tailpipe Emissions
Ethanol blends can help lower some emissions of greenhouse gases relative to gasoline, if produced and used responsibly, but may also have impacts on the environment when the complete fuel life cycle is taken into account.
Flex Fuel Vehicles have several drawbacks:
The Flexible Fuel Vehicles have a number of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing one. The biggest disadvantage is that the advantages of using Flex Fuel is dependent upon your location and availability of E85 fuel.
Lower Fuel Economy
The most obvious downside of E85 is that it isn’t as efficient as leaded fuel.
Ethanols lower energy content means that your car will need more fuel to cover the same distance. Drivers typically will see a 15-30% drop in miles per gallon when driving with E85 fuel or ethanol versus regular gas.
While E85 can be cheaper at the pump, the reduced fuel economy could make up a lot of that cost.
Limited Availability
The other one is fuel availability.
E85 is not available in nearly all gas stations, but is available in many parts of the United States. It can be difficult for drivers in rural areas or towns to locate E85 stations.
When considering buying an FFV mainly to use E85 fuel, it’s best to find out where the fuel is available around your home and places you will travel to regularly.
Cold Weather Performance
Very cold temperatures might cause a bit more difficulty when starting with high ethanol blends. Fuels suppliers may lower ethanol concentrations when the weather gets colder in colder climates to improve startability.
Not Every Driver Benefits
If you don’t use E85 fuel stations very often, or most of your driving is done on long highway trips where fuel economy is paramount, you may end up driving on regular gasoline every day. If so, the Flex Fuel is a nice to have.
Does Flex Fuel Save Money?
A common question prospective buyers ask is: “Does owning a Flex Fuel vehicle really save them money on fuel costs?
There are three factors to consider:
- Local gasoline prices
- Local E85 prices
- A vehicle’s gas mileage.The performance of a vehicle in terms of gas efficiency.
For example:
Suppose:
- The standard price of regular gasoline is $3.60 a gallon.
- E85 costs $2.90 per gallon
E85 seems to be a 70 cent/gallon savings at first glance.
The savings are much smaller, however, when considering the cost per mile from gasoline a car might routinely get 28 mpg but a car might only get 22 mpg with E85.
This is why there is a need to compare cost per mile experienced FFV owners, and not just fuel price.
If the cost of E85 is notably lower than gasoline, it could be a cost savings opportunity. If the difference in prices is not that great, however, gasoline could actually be the more cost effective option.
Is Flex Fuel Better for the Environment?
A key driver behind the development of Flex Fuel technology was to ensure a lower reliance on fossil fuels, and to promote increased adoption of renewable fuels.
Ethanol is a largely U.S.-grown, renewable fuel. As the crops grow, they use carbon dioxide that they take from the air to reduce emissions when the fuel is burned.
Environmental benefits that may be achieved are:
- Reduced petroleum consumption
- A higher share of renewable resources used.More renewable resources used.
- Reduce air pollution of specific pollutants
- Support to rural agriculture
But, it hinges on ethanol production techniques, land usage, transportation and farming methods to name a few. The typical modern fuel assessment considers all of the fuel’s life cycle, rather than just emissions at the tailpipe.
Flex Fuel is not the panacea for all fuels and fuels use, but for many consumers it is a step towards diversification of transportation fuels.
Is a Flex Fuel Vehicle Right for You?
The question “Is it a smart FFV” will largely depend on your driving style.
If you are one of these people, a Flex Fuel vehicle might be a great option:
- Have multiple E85 fueling stations close.
- Desire for flexibility at gas station.
- Support renewable fuels.
- Own a fleet vehicle.
- Operate a pickup truck or SUV already designed to be able to accept FFV.
Conversely, if a traditional gasoline car is better suited, it’s possible that:
- The E85 isn’t available in your area.
- The number one consideration is fuel economy.
- You’re on the road for long periods of time on highways on a regular basis.
- Alternate fuels are not readily available to you.
Fortunately, you do not have to run E85 in your FFV. Regular unleaded fuel can be continued until it makes sense to do so, as it is more convenient or economical.
Common Myths About Flex Fuel
There are still a number of misunderstandings that are plaguing many drivers.
Contrary to popular belief, Flex Fuel does not require special maintenance.
Myth #1: Flex Fuel needs special maintenance.
False.
Standard maintenance is similar to that of standard gasoline cars.
Myth #2: You have to always use E85.
False.
There are vehicles that are specially engineered for Flex Fuel to run on E85, gasoline or a combination of these.
Myth No. 3: E85 harms Flex Fuel Engines.
False.
The engines called Flex Fuel contain parts that are designed to safely run the higher ethanol content.
Myth 4: All vehicles can run on E85 gasoline.
False.
E85 should only be used by Flexible Fuel Vehicles.
Standard gasoline engines may not be able to withstand E85 fuel and may void the manufacturer’s warranty if E85 fuel is used.
Learn More About Flex Fuel
When choosing fuel for your car, you might consider which type is the most suitable, check out our guide Flex Fuel vs. Regular Gasoline: What’s the Difference? It examines fuel economy, performance, emissions, cost and long term ownership factors on a detailed basis.
If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth investing in an FFV, our article Pros & Cons of Flex Fuel Vehicles explores deeper into the pros and cons in order to inform you on how to make the right choice of purchase.
These Guides offer a comprehensive overview of Flex Fuel technology and ownership.
Trusted Resources
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides in-depth educational resources, station locators, and technical guidance, all of which include reliable information about ethanol blends, E85 availability and alternative fuels.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers data on renewable fuels, vehicle emissions and environmental regulations concerning transportation fuels.
These trusted organizations can provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about Flex Fuel vehicles and alternative fuels.
Conclusion
When buying or using a Flexible Fuel Vehicle, it’s important to understand what Flex Fuel is. The FFVs are designed to accept any blend of gasoline and ethanol, including E85, and can be driven without any special driving skills or adjustments.
Flex Fuel can facilitate the adoption of renewable fuels and offer increased fuel flexibility for drivers that have easy access to E85 fueling stations. Some may run mostly on gas and take advantage of flexibility to run with ethanol blends as conditions dictate.
As a final note, the ideal fuel depends on the person and their driving style, the fuel price in their area, and the availability of the fuel. Once you understand how Flex Fuel technology works—and how it differs from gas-powered cars—you’ll be better equipped to decide if a Flexible Fuel Vehicle is right for your transportation activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Flex Fuel vehicle operate on regular gasoline?
Yes. The Flexible Fuel Vehicles are designed to run on standard gasoline, E85 or any mixture of gasoline and ethanol up to the manufacturer’s specification.
Does E85 make any difference?
Certain engines could perform better with E85, especially if they are specifically tuned to do so. But most common FFVs have relatively small performance gaps.
Are E85s cheaper than gas?
E85 may be less cost per gallon but has less energy so fuel economy is typically lower. The best way to measure savings is in terms of cost per mile.
How do I know if my car is Flex Fuel?
Check for a yellow fuel cap, an “E85” or “Flex Fuel” logo, the owner’s manual, or the VIN by checking with the manufacturer.
Do Flex Fuel vehicles still exist?
Yes. While not as many manufacturers are producing FFVs as in the past, there are still plenty of new and used Flex Fuel trucks, vans and SUVs available in the U.S. market.
