E85 issues

[Mickey_7106]

Ive owned this truck for about 6 months and for about 4 of those months I've been using mostly E85 because its cheaper and there is 1 station that offers it in town. I've noticed that the truck feels "lazy" and less responsive while its on E85. Going up hills it wants to be in a low rpm gear unless i switch it to manual or tow mode. Once i go back to pump gas, the truck feels a lot better, more responsive and even sounds better. Going up hills it will drop a gear to maintain speed if needed

What gives?

 

[Mickey_7106]

btw there's a sticker on the pump that states its 70% minimum ethanol content

 

[BG1988]

Ive owned this truck for about 6 months and for about 4 of those months I've been using mostly E85 because its cheaper and there is 1 station that offers it in town. I've noticed that the truck feels "lazy" and less responsive while its on E85. Going up hills it wants to be in a low rpm gear unless i switch it to manual or tow mode. Once i go back to pump gas, the truck feels a lot better, more responsive and even sounds better. Going up hills it will drop a gear to maintain speed if needed

What gives?

What is the Cost per miles

cheaper does not always mean cheaper per mile

Mix it with gas you want to get it down to E30 levels
on E85 it should have MORE power i.e more hp and torque.. \


for me the cost per mile break even is 3.089 if I was to pump 87 regular fuel


18.5MPG x 0.16¢ mile =3.08/gallon

I rather pay 3.999(chevron or mobil) a gallon and get 25MPG (cost per mile is 16¢/mile)
91octane


then pay 3.599 (arco)(cheapest station in the area)and get only 18-18.5 MPG

I save money this way spending a tiny bit more


the cheap gas only getting 18.5 Will cost me $4.85 per gallon equivalent to getting 25MPG

cheap always cost more in the end...

 

[Fless]

Is your truck a Flex Fuel truck?

 

[swathdiver]

Ive owned this truck for about 6 months and for about 4 of those months I've been using mostly E85 because its cheaper and there is 1 station that offers it in town. I've noticed that the truck feels "lazy" and less responsive while its on E85. Going up hills it wants to be in a low rpm gear unless i switch it to manual or tow mode. Once i go back to pump gas, the truck feels a lot better, more responsive and even sounds better. Going up hills it will drop a gear to maintain speed if needed

What gives?

Not sure, my experience is the opposite. Do you have a scan tool or a bluetooth connector and the Torque Pro app? It would be nice to see what the engine is calculating the alcohol content to be and the fuel trims.

Oh yeah Steve, 2009 was the last year of the L76 and LY5 non-flex motors.

 

[Fless]

Oh yeah Steve, 2009 was the last year of the L76 and LY5 non-flex motors.

@swathdiver I did not know that. Are you saying that his '09 could be flex or non-flex, then?

 

[Mickey_7106]

I did the math, saving about 5 cents per gallon on e85. Although i though i was getting extra performance until i recently realized i wasn't.

What is the Cost per miles

cheaper does not always mean cheaper per mile

Mix it with gas you want to get it down to E30 levels
on E85 it should have MORE power i.e more hp and torque.. \


for me the cost per mile break even is 3.089 if I was to pump 87 regular fuel


18.5MPG x 0.16¢ mile =3.08/gallon

I rather pay 3.999(chevron or mobil) a gallon and get 25MPG (cost per mile is 16¢/mile)
91octane


then pay 3.599 (arco)(cheapest station in the area)and get only 18-18.5 MPG

I save money this way spending a tiny bit more


the cheap gas only getting 18.5 Will cost me $4.85 per gallon equivalent to getting 25MPG

cheap always cost more in the end...

My truck is flex fuel. Badges and yellow cap.

Is your truck a Flex Fuel truck?

I don't, I've always been curious of torque app, if it can read ethanol content then its going to be my next mod. Is there a bt adapter that you recommend?

Not sure, my experience is the opposite. Do you have a scan tool or a bluetooth connector and the Torque Pro app? It would be nice to see what the engine is calculating the alcohol content to be and the fuel trims.

Oh yeah Steve, 2009 was the last year of the L76 and LY5 non-flex motors.

 

[Mickey_7106]

Ordered the obdlink mx+

 

[swathdiver]

Ive owned this truck for about 6 months and for about 4 of those months I've been using mostly E85 because its cheaper and there is 1 station that offers it in town. I've noticed that the truck feels "lazy" and less responsive while its on E85. Going up hills it wants to be in a low rpm gear unless i switch it to manual or tow mode. Once i go back to pump gas, the truck feels a lot better, more responsive and even sounds better. Going up hills it will drop a gear to maintain speed if needed

What gives?

Mickey, have you been recording the mileage between tank fills? Were you using the same station? 4x4 or RWD?

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver I did not know that. Are you saying that his '09 could be flex or non-flex, then?

Well, Mickey has already answered but if it was an LY5 or L76, that might make sense, except for the part where he said it felt better than gas and then gradually worse. Maybe it is time for new cats?