Flex fuel - Good or bad?

[Trucko20]

Hey guys,

 

I tried doing a search, but didn't really find the results I was looking for.

 

I recently found a pre-owned 2013 Sierra for sale in my area. Went to check it out, and realized that it's a flex-fuel model.

 

I had thought I heard bad things about flex fuel models....such as decreased reliability. I was hoping someone could clarify this? I have no intention of actually running ethanol in my truck (of course, I don't know what the previous owner did). Should I avoid the flex fuel models, or is it not a big deal?

 

Thanks.

[00Silverado4x4]

My previous truck was flex and I ran it almost exclusively for two years on e85. There are no long terms issues with the fuel. The biggest thing you will notice is reduced gas mileage. How much it drops will depend many factors, as with running regular gasoline. Other wise, I'd give it a try. If you don't like it, then switch back. After all most pumps are either e10 up to e15 so you're already probably burning ethanol just not as high of a concentration. No big deal in my opinion.

[Trucko20]

Thanks for your reply! Should I expect to see lower MPG's while running regular gasoline?

[00Silverado4x4]

With regular gasoline you will get better gas mileage vs running e85. The thing to think about is the cost per mile of the two fuels. Typically e85 is cheaper per gallon but with reduced fuel mileage it will increase your cost per mile to run. Gasoline will be the opposite. Cost more per gallon but increased fuel mileage. So you have to do a chart of some sort to find the price per mile of using the two different fuel to find out which one "cheaper" per mile. In the last year or so I had my previous truck it just started being cheaper per mile to burn e85 vs gasoline.

[Black02Silverado]

I have not read about any issues with flex fuel vehicles. I'm running E85 in our vehicles and they are not even flex fuel. I do get lower MPG but the price difference for me it is still cheaper per mile to run E85 than regular.

 

I also keep track of all my vehicles with used oil analysis and this last analysis on our Acadia came back with much improvement and the only difference is we started running E85.

 

I have an app on my phone that you can plug in the cost of each and the mileage of each and it gives you the cost per mile. It shows me that it is cheaper to run E85.

[RyanbabZ71]

Been running E85 for 6 years now in my 2010.

 

 

Ryan

[scott19677]

You will like the power increase with E85 also. But drawbacks are lower mpg as stated and a little longer cranking time. And if you use remote start and long warm up times mpg really take a hit.

[Trucko20]

Would there be any issue with running exclusively regular gasoline in a flex-fuel truck? (well, it's the stuff that has %10 ethanol).

[kstruckcountry]

I've been running e10 when I have to, but 100% pure whenever possible for the last 4 years. No issues. I use the pure gas app to find ethanol free when I'm away from my local station.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Duelin]

On vehicles with the E85 occasionally the fuel compensator (the system that determines what the percentage of alcohol is being supplied to the engine) will get out of calibration. Which results in running lousy and poor performance. If this was to occurs the system can be re-calibrated with the appropriate scan tool. As far as that goes if a FlexFuel vehicle is not running properly the first thing you should check is what the percentage of alcohol that is being reported to the computer.

[Trucko20]

On vehicles with the E85 occasionally the fuel compensator (the system that determines what the percentage of alcohol is being supplied to the engine) will get out of calibration. Which results in running lousy and poor performance. If this was to occurs the system can be re-calibrated with the appropriate scan tool. As far as that goes if a FlexFuel vehicle is not running properly the first thing you should check is what the percentage of alcohol that is being reported to the computer.

 

How is this done? Do you need to take it to a shop/dealer, or is it a fairly simple DIY job?

[Duelin]

Some shops can do it if they have the right equipment. If not then you would have to go to a dealer.

[RyanbabZ71]

You will like the power increase with E85 also. But drawbacks are lower mpg as stated and a little longer cranking time. And if you use remote start and long warm up times mpg really take a hit.

Never had cranking issues

 

 

Ryan

[scott19677]

Never had cranking issues

 

 

Ryan

 

Yeah, I should have stated during cold weather it takes a few seconds longer. In Summer its great. We just had our first hard freeze with temps in the 20s here in Chattanooga and I'm 'kinda bummed I had to switch back to 93. I was just starting to get used to my tune I got in October. It might have a lot to do with my pretty aggressive advanced timing. But If I remember it did take a little longer last Winter also.

[RyanbabZ71]

We have had quite a few minus temps here and mine has always started the same warm or cold

 

 

Ryan