Living with E85: GMC Sierra Flex-Fuel test drive

Im sorry to comment when I know NOTHING about E85. There is no E85 pumps within hundreds of miles from my house. HOWEVER I am experiencing the difference in my Cummins now that my area is using the new LOW SULFER deisel fuel. This trash is terrible. I get significantly less mileage and pulling my Travel trailer has become a CHORE now. This fuel has caused a major power loss. I was wondering if the E85 has the same effects (IN THE REAL WORLD)

In central Indiana, the price difference between unleaded and E85 is only about 20 cents, so it is not worth the hassle. I have only used it one time in my Ford Explorer because of the pricing, and it is not easy to find around here, though there are more stations coming on line with the stuff.

So many questions remain about ethanol and it’s effects on the environment? If the oil industry were to promote a new energy substitute, green groups would be up in arms and require years of research to determine if the new energy substitute had any impact on the environment.

But, hatred of the oil industry from the left and from the ignorant has paved the way for E85 to become part of our energy policies. Even though many studies demonstrate that ethanol production costs more per gallon to produce than gasoline, the E85 hysteria marches on.

Other concerns surround the production of ethanol such as, effects on our water table, corn production’s impact on food costs, how much land used for growth, government subsidies that end up as windfall profits to a single group and many others.

I’m not against alternative sources of energy but this one seems to be ill conceived.imo

I didn’t see what the cost for the option of FFV with the Sierra but I can’t imagine it’s really worth it just yet.

C

Tim, i am a diesel mechanic, i work on the 18 wheelers. yes the low sulfer diesel will give you far less power, it is designed to be used with the new 07 diesel emmisions, the new 07 engines have a cat. converter just like the gas engines have. its all about cleaning up the smoke. the feds , EPA mandated it so everyone has to use it.the fuel has less btu than the ole diesel, you arnt the only one who is complaning about fuel mileage and horse power.i hear about it all most every day.get use to it its sad but there is nothing we can do about it. soon all of the diesel fuel will be this way. GOOD OLE EPA you can thant them for it .

E85 – I read the owners manual for my mother-in-law’s 2001 (I think) Dodge Caravan, and it said that you could use E85, but expect up to a 30% drop in fuel economy. (Ethanol has a lower energy content than gasoline, so you have to use more of it. – from Edmunds.com) Considering that E85 does not cost 30% less than regular, and we need the power to pull a trailer, it’s not even an option.

Go with DIESEL! You get more torque, better fuel economy, and for now, it costs less at the pump.

The number one focus for E85 is to decrease our dependancy on the Middle East. Technology and time will continue to enhance the E85 experience in the next 10 years as E85 becomes widely available. Cars, Truck and Vans with FlexFuel capability will be further enhanced as states adopt tax cuts for those her purchase such a vehicle. Missouri’s tax cut will start in mid 2008. Check the badge, make sure your next auto can support FlexFuel.

In the late 1970s, I lived in Brazil, when they were going through the conversion to ethanol as a motor fuel. Their experiences almost exactly paralleled the present E85 introduction problems. Why doesn’t/didn’t someone look at that vast body of experience and learn some lessons from someone else’s experience.

Jim,

Enlighten us? I’m not aware of the Brazilian experience? What would we learn?

BTW-I also read that the “Jungle” is being cut down to make way for corn and sugar cane production in Brazil.

c

Brad,

The #1 and #2 oil importers to the US are Mexico and Canada. (just ask Aaron) Isn’t the bottleneck the refining process? I think we should start doing more drilling and refining ourselves.

My 2004 diesel Jetta gets 37 MPG with mixed driving.

That reminds me, many of the car manufacturers are marketing their cars with HIGHWAY mileage… that is misleading. (they usually hide “highway” in the fine print, where most people don’t see it.)

I read a news story (can’t recall where) saying that if E85 was mandated, it would probably not lower gasoline prices, as the oil companies would have no incentive to bring more refineries online what with the lower demand. They could then keep prices high as they could continue to claim that lower refinery capacity was throttling supply, and high demand vs low supply equals higher prices. Go figure.

BTW, I’m not much of an E85 fan. I say: go Biodiesel!

I agree with the idea of more refineries and not using E85.
Do some research and you will find because of E85, every corn-based product is priced higher, as well as other crops because other farmers are starting to plant corn where other crops were because of the windfall they are getting from corn and also subsidies from the government is encouraging this kind of change. Ethanol is alcohol right? When alcohol is made, tons of fresh water is used, and fresh water isn’t limitless, so if everybody used E85, how long would it take to use up the fresh water? Also why aren’t battery and hydrogen powered cars being given the attention that E85 is being given? And if we use up most of the corn to make E85, will we have to import food too?
Also, Aaron, government is starting to mandate the ability to use E85 in new automobiles, and yea, go biodiesel, it’s made from soybeans. And it seemingly has worked better if the market takes care of itself without gov. mandates etc..

Clarification: “It can use any percentage of E85 or gasoline”

Isn’t E85 already a percentage gasoline?

Brian: It means you don’t have to have just E85 or just gasoline in the tank. You can have a blend of both, and the engine will, apparently, compensate automatically.

I’m for any alternative to using oil from the Middle East and the sooner the better.

Jack, there’s always a reaction to every action and the unintended consequences are many with alternative fuels. Be careful what you ask for?

The knee jerk reaction to pushing Ethanol on a gullible and anxious citizenry should be scrutinized carefully. Is it safe? What harm will the environment suffer? Where are these subsidies going? Why are they needed? What effect will it have on the oil industry if it fails? If it succeeds? And many more?

Why are auto manufacturers producing these new FFVs? Partly because it fulfills a portion of the CAFE standard mandated by congress. Politicians in all their wisdom are jumping on the E85 bandwagon which is enough for me to say WHOA! Very little about this ethanol euphoria makes sense to me just yet. Brad claims that tax cuts for buying E85 vehicles will benefit his customers? What if E85 is a boondoggle? Who benefits then?

Sorry, I’ll get off my soapbox.

C

Besides lower gas mileage with ethanol, it also appears to evaporate quicker than gasoline. I can park my car outdoors on a hot day after filling up…when I return 8-10 hours later, my fuel gauge has actually gone DOWN. E85 SUCKS! In the final analysis, ethanol costs MORE ; not less!

Never thought I’d say this, but I agree with Chuck — we’re rushing into E85 because it makes good headlines and gives the appearance of lots of action with little investment required on behalf of the automakers or the oil companies (they’ve been dealing with alcohol-based gasoline additives for years). It’s not a solution that benefits the consumer.

Au contraire Aaron. I agree with all three of your commandments. Now don’t go slitting your wrists or driving into some oncoming headlights ;o)

I’ve used E-85 for over a year almost exclusely in my Ford Ranger. Mileage is 17MPG. It’s rated at 17 city 20 highway. It’s at the low end but if you subtract the rebate from how much $ spent it averaged 1.46$/gallon so far this year.

Also, in Illinois if you use E-85 more than half the time during the year you get a Alternate Fuel Rebate of 340$ if you drive under 15000 miles. 430$ if over 15000. You do need to keep all reciepts and record your mileage to get the rebate at the end of the year.

Here is my blog of my E85 test: http://www.e85test.blogspot.com/