Can Your Car Run on E85?
E85. The name probably sounds quite familiar to you. With
an overwhelming amount of media attention focused on
rising gas prices, the idea of this new fuel — which
touts a vastly higher ethanol to gas ratio (85 percent ethanol
to 15 percent gasoline versus the standard 10 percent or less in typical
gasoline) — is turning more than a few heads. In fact,
big automakers like General Motors are bringing products
built with engines designed specifically for flex fuels
such as E85 to the market at an alarming speed. Even
the president is singing praises for the new pump option,
which will eliminate a sturdy chunk of the country's
dependence on foreign oil.
Until
recently, few gas stations have offered E85, making
it a problem for flex fuel car owners to fill up with
the plant-based blend consistently. Now, many gas suppliers
are taking advantage of the media frenzy to add the
good stuff to their line.
Yet a recent study performed by cars.com (online auto
marketplace) revealed that 46 percent of car buyers
didn't know enough about E85 to feel comfortable even
considering a flex fuel vehicle for purchase.
Revelations among another shocking study, this one by
GM, confirmed that 70 percent of its flex fuel vehicle
owners didn't even know that their car could run on
E85.
Below, we've listed a few pros and cons of to help educate
you on the new fuel:
Positive Benefits:
It is a renewable fuel
Uses up to 85 percent less imported petroleum
Less money goes overseas
Consumers don't have to pay a premium for a flexible-fuel
car versus the same model with a standard, gasoline-only
engine
Negative Benefits:
Gets fewer miles per gallon than regular gas, so consumers
aren't
likely to save any money on fuel given the current cost
of E85
Environmental benefits unclear
So,
for all of those unknowing car owners out there, here's
a list of '06 models that can use E85 — you might be
surprised to find that you have one in your garage...
2006 Flex Fuel Vehicles
| Vehicle |
Gas MPG
(city/hwy) |
E85 MPG
(city/hwy) |
| Passenger
Cars |
|
|
| Chevrolet
Impala |
21/31 |
16/23 |
| Chevrolet
Monte Carlo |
21/31 |
16/24 |
| Ford
Crown Victoria |
17/25 |
12/18 |
| Lincoln
Town Car |
17/25 |
12/18 |
| Mercury
Grand Marquis |
17/25 |
12/18 |
| |
|
|
| SUVs |
|
|
| Chevrolet
Avalanche |
14/19 |
11/14 |
| Chevrolet
Suburban |
14/19 |
11/14 |
| Chevrolet
Tahoe |
15/20 |
11/15 |
| GMC
Yukon |
15/20 |
11/15 |
| GMC
Yukon XL |
14/19 |
11/14 |
| |
|
|
| Pickup
Trucks |
|
|
| Chevrolet
Silverado |
16/20 |
12/16 |
| Ford
F-150 |
14/19 |
11/14 |
| GMC
Sierra |
16/20 |
12/16 |
| Nissan
Titan |
14/19 |
10/14 |
For
more information on E85, you can visit cars.com's E85 Consumer Guide.
Read
more articles on flex fuels and environmentally safe
auto ideas at RTM's
Earth Tones section.
(Source: cars.com) |
