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  #1  
Old 02-23-2011, 01:34 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default E85 - Help Please!

The Ranger I just purchased is a 3.0 Flex Fuel engine and I want to know if anyone can tell me anything about E85 gasoline. I've read a lot of articles online, but right now they're all about 50% for it and 50% against it. So that's not much help. Some are saying it lessens your gas mileage considerably, while others are saying it's only a slight change. The ONLY issue that ALL articles agreed on was that it increases the performance of the engine.

My biggest question is this: Can you put E85 in a tank that already has about a quarter of a tank of regular unleaded in it or do you have to drain as much of that out as you can first. Some articles are saying drain it, while others are saying it doesn't matter. Also: If you have to switch back and forth because you are on a trip and can't find a station that sells E85 will that mess with the engine? The articles aren't 100% clear on that.

Someone PLEASE help because I don't want to even try it before I know more about it, but the thought of using it and helping the environment IS a curiosity for me.
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1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
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  #2  
Old 02-23-2011, 05:30 PM
Skylark65 Skylark65 is offline
"Race Internals"
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,715
Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

i dont think it is supposed to mess up the engine if you mix e85 in with the regular fuel, or switch it back and forth. actually i think that's what it said in my owners manual.


but i will say for sure, i tried E85 once and thats more than enough for me. the truck pinged like crazy trying to pull hills and fuel milage took a nosedive. i couldint burn though that crap fast enough!

according to the window sticker i found tucked behind my glovebox, the EPA fuel milage for E85 is almost half what it is for regular unleaded fuel, and the estimated annual fuel cost to run the E85 is actually MORE than running regular unleaded!
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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!
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  #3  
Old 02-23-2011, 05:36 PM
STL STL is offline
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 23,399
Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

Yes it wont hurt anything

Honestly you are wasting your money buying E85 it burns faster then regular gas so you are gonna essentially be filling up more.
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  #4  
Old 02-23-2011, 05:41 PM
More_Cowbell More_Cowbell is offline
Chrome Dont Get You Home
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,169
Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

85 is already added to normal fuel in some places so it dosent really matter if you put it in with regular gas.. but i noticed when we stopped filling up at gas stations that had e85 in the gasoline we got better gas mileage just my two cents..
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  #5  
Old 02-23-2011, 05:57 PM
Kindy Kindy is offline
"Spike" 1999 Blue Ranger
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 405
Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

Well, that's just like our government! Make a less expensive way for American's to get to work AND improve the environment, but make it so that to use it you will eventually spend MORE money! And they wonder why our economy is so bad and people are actually quitting their jobs and wanting welfare because they can't afford to drive to work when the regular gas prices keep skyrocketing!

If they want to truly make Americans WANT to save this planet then they should drop the price of E85 to $1.00 a gallon!! More people would buy it AND not mind filling up more often. In fact more people would be rushing out to buy flex fuel engine vehicles too!
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1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!
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  #6  
Old 02-23-2011, 06:00 PM
88ranger89camaro 88ranger89camaro is offline
2 Many Toys, No Free Time
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

stick with the dino gas for reasons stated above

i dont even run the 10% mix if i can help it
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  #7  
Old 02-23-2011, 06:26 PM
STL STL is offline
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Default Re: E85 - Help Please!

Quote:
Originally Posted by 88ranger89camaro View Post
stick with the dino gas for reasons stated above

i dont even run the 10% mix if i can help it
All Missouri gas stations are required to have 10% ethanol mix. Governor passed it a few years back.
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