who runs e85 daily in their non-racecars?

[Yaj Yak]

my suburban is one of the first year flex fuel vehicles to come out, and when I went to go fill up two weeks ago, gas was 4.49$ gallon for 87... e85 was 3.39. so. i was like fuck it. what do i have to lose?

On 87 I went 417.2 miles, on 28 gallons, which equates to 14.9 mpg.


On e85 I went 358.4 miles, on 28 gallons, which equates to 12.8 mpg.


so with 87, it costs me 301.34$ to drive 1000 miles at 4.49$/gallon


e85 costs me 264.84$ to drive 1000 miles at 3.39/gallon.


so while it is less than 40$ different every 1000 miles, I am going to be running it for a while! truck "feels" peppier, albeit sometimes starts a little bit awkward (studders for a second almost like a small misfire)




thoughts? anyone else running e85 to attempt cost savings?

Click to read more...

 

[skeezer]

I haven't seen e85 that cheap.

 

[Yaj Yak]

so basically as long as e85 is 86% the cost of 87 or less, it makes sense to run... so if gas is 4.49/gallon... 3.86$ would be the break even point between the two...

 

[Yaj Yak]

the citgo on rt 12 in Lake Zurich was 3.39 two weeks ago when I filled up, when I just refilled on sunday at the thorntons by my house, it was 3.49/gallon.

 

[skeezer]

KJ is ****** rich

 

[Yaj Yak]

skeezer is irritating on tuesdays.

 

[skeezer]

I would flex my truck out if I could I saw this crap at a decent price. Everyone is gouging the prices of this shit.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Only place I see e85 is the shell in CL and it's ALWAYS 20 cents less then 87.

Down in southern Illinois it was dirt cheap compared to 87.

 

[Yaj Yak]

yeah that shell is always $$$$$$$


the thorntons tho on 120 in lakemoor or on rt 12 in volo are at 3.49 right now, and the citgo in Lake zurich was at 3.49 but Im not sure what it is at now.

 

[Handsome Jesus]

yeah my gas city station is only $.30 cheaper than 87. I haven't converted back yet, and don't know if I will again or not. Palatine oil company has good prices on E85 i hear.

 

[Yaj Yak]

my buddies dad owns POC... weird.

 

[Primalzer]

I live 2 blocks from POC, how are there normal 87 prices?

 

[02BlueGT]

POC is pretty awesome, IIRC it tended to be right around 20% cheaper than 87 when I was using E85 last year. I haven't been there since august though, so it might not be the same now

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

I filled up twice at the Road Runners on Roosevelt in Lombard and ran through two full tanks. My mileage was off by almost 25% in my 05 V6 Explorer so it wasn't worth it to me. It also totally robbed my power.

 

[Yaj Yak]

robbed your power? seriously I can't see that happening really? is your explorer built for it?

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Yes it is. Also, E85 has less energy than regular gas. This is why it drinks more and it takes more to try and make the same power. My vehicle was definitely sluggish.

 

[Yaj Yak]

i wouldnt say it has less energy perhaps I understand what you are saying but that could be misleading to some.... it takes more but it has higher octane

my burban is definitely( seat of the pants)- peppier.

 

[10sec]

Yes it is. Also, E85 has less energy than regular gas. This is why it drinks more and it takes more to try and make the same power. My vehicle was definitely sluggish.

You don't make any sense with your mumbo jumbo. How car a car be slower with a properly set up fueling system for E85? Answer: it can't. You either are crazy and thought the car was slower, or it wasn't properly set up to use E85. Most cars actually "feel" faster as the higher octane might help them get up and go in higher load situations. I can see how a car not meant to use E85 would be sluggish though, as it would be struggling to get the fuel it needs.

 

[Handsome Jesus]

i would think the computer when using the E85 sensor would not only properly adjust fueling, but also adjust timing (advance) to get better gas mileage. this would make the car feel better IMO.

 

[10sec]

Exactly, I've never heard of anyone say their car was slower (for a car designed to use it) when using E85, except the people that hate on it and exaggerate all the negatives they possibly can to prove their point.

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Sorry, I thought I was speaking fairly well. How about this;

I have to push the gas pedal down further for the same acceleration.

And yes, my vehicles is E85 compatible.
http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/flexfuelsffvs/a/e85compat2005.htm

 

[10sec]

Hmm, well you should stick to what you know, definitely the only person i know, even with all the E85 reading and users out there with this issue. Some would say it's mental, but i honestly think you're telling the truth. :jerkit:

 

[PANDA]

I do

Palatine Oil has been 3.21 for the longest time. Last time I fill up was on Thursday. The cost savings alone for E85 vs 93 is almost $25 less per tank. Sure I get worse MPG but I am still saving money. Not to mention the performance gains.

 

[skeezer]

Goddamn where is this PLACE

IN PALATINE?!

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Hmm, well you should stick to what you know, definitely the only person i know, even with all the E85 reading and users out there with this issue. Some would say it's mental, but i honestly think you're telling the truth. :jerkit:

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/e85-vs-gasoline-comparison-test.html

Look near the bottom. 1/2 sec slower 0 - 60.

I am sure every vehicle is different though.