E-85 anybody using it?

2speedy1

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I’ve been told to use E30 in my FFVs. Not much reduction in mileage and a cheaper blend. That’s all I’ve ever used in my ‘19 F150. Traded it for a ‘22 F250 in March but have no idea when delivery will happen, plan on E30 in it unless I can get away with a little more E blend. Sometimes I blend my own concoction with pumps that have several rates. Bought wife a ‘22 Buick & was surprised it isn’t set up for E blends. I’ve never had any problems with E in FFVs.
Where do you get E30?
 

do4CY

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I have a 2012 silverado that I have been using e85 in some lately. With e10 I get around 300 miles per tank and with e85 its a little under 250. 75 to 80 cents is about the break even point for the reduced mileage. The local co-op has blender pumps and the e85 has been about $1.10 cheaper.
 
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2speedy1

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United Farmers Coop in SW Iowa locations, blender pumps. E16-E30-E60 (I think)-E85. Regular gas without E is available and very expensive. I do use it in the small engine golf cart, lawn mower, trimmer, boat etc.
Interesting, not something I have seen around, although I have not really looked I guess.

But yes I always try to use non-E for small engines or anything that is going to sit for any length of time. Just helps avoid some issues. Most will run fine with E-15, its the problems it brings after sitting that is the issue.
 

ISU22CY

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Typically subscribe to the buying power of if it's $0.90 or more cheaper will use it. Anything less than that just opt for the old e10
 
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nfrine

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Now all we need to do is get all the carbon pipelines built so ethanol can be considered more carbon neutral... 1655764206502.png
 

Dopey

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My dad had one a while back. He ran a month of each. I thought I remember him calculating about $1.50 price delta needed to break even due to the mileage reduction.
 
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c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s

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Bought it in NW Iowa last week for $3.05. Cheapest I found it today in the western suburbs is $3.29. Still, at $2.00/gallon cheaper than gas with 0% ethanol the reduced mileage is more than worth it. Plus, might as well help the local economy when I can.

Edit: You have to shop around in the the metro as mentioned above. I found it at Kum and Go but the Kwik Stsr across the interestate was $3.69.
 
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Jonyrose

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One benefit of an ls engine in a big old van is that it gets terrible mileage no matter what I put in, so I would rather put the much cheaper fuel in. This is my first ffv, so not a ton of experience with it yet beyond a handful of tanks
 

CycloneBax

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Bought it in NW Iowa last week for $3.05. Cheapest I found it today in the western suburbs is $3.29. Still, at $2.00/gallon cheaper than gas with 0% ethanol the reduced mileage is more than worth it. Plus, might as well help the local economy when I can.

Edit: You have to shop around in the the metro as mentioned above. I found it at Kum and Go but the Kwik Stsr across the interestate was $3.69.
I have been buying E85 at Kum & Go in Ankeny. Started buying a month ago when E10 was $4.50 and E85 was $2.89, in the last couple fill ups it was $2.99 and then $3.29. Debated $3.29 but E10 Was $4.74 so I decided to fill with E85. Haven't used Kwik Star in Ankeny because it was way more expensive.

Last weekend I filled up in Sibley and Kwik Star had it for $2.89. It was a new store and apparently, they are competing with Cenex across the road.

I run it in a 2012 and 2014 Durango. 2012 has 195800 miles on it and never has had fuel issues. I still try to run 1 tank every 3000 miles of Top Tier fuel.

My simple math that makes it close is to buy if it's 75% or less than E10 and it's close to even or better on the cost.

Durango's are nice as they have 500 mile range with E10 so it's not a big deal to have lower mileage to get a lower cost.
 
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cydsho

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If it is only 50-60 cents less than normal 10%, it's def NOT worth it IMO. My van is FFV and lose about 20% less fuel efficiency with E85.
At a dollar less or so, makes sense to buy.
I saw E15 for 20cents less than normal gas today. That was a good buy.
 
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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
**** e85 horrible fuel in terms of milage and the fact it attracts any and all moisture in the system. Worse fuel milage and a bunch of other issues from using it.
The moisture one always makes me think. Is it ethanols fault for finding the water and pushing it through, or is it the petro gas’s problem for being very good at condensation?
 

wxman1

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My parents had an Impala in the late 2000s that took it. I don’t recall any issues the car had with it other than reduced mileage. Dad used it enough to figure out when it was cost effective and would buy it when it hit that point.
 

buf87

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At a dollar plus it is worth it to burn E85, just most place price it out of the market. Right now E85 should be dirt cheap compared to E10. I have had no problems switching back & forth
 
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besserheimerphat

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I'm actually surprised some of you can find 0 ethanol gas anywhere. Wasn't it mandated that all gas in IA be at least E10? Before leaving the state I remember there being talk about mandating at least B5 for all diesel.

I've never seen non-ethanol blends here in WA.
 

cowboycurtis

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I'm actually surprised some of you can find 0 ethanol gas anywhere. Wasn't it mandated that all gas in IA be at least E10? Before leaving the state I remember there being talk about mandating at least B5 for all diesel.

I've never seen non-ethanol blends here in WA.
I have a 250 gallon barrel that the coop fills with 91 premium no ethanol for all my mowers, dirt bikes, ATV’s, golf cart, chainsaws, etc. Kwik Star and Hy/vee has 91 no ethanol at the pump here.