E85 on 03 Vibe?

[juppiter]

I have a 2003 Vibe that I will drive until it dies -- it is the only car I have ever driven and there is a strong sentimental attachment -- so obviously I want to postpone its death as long as possible. Will it take E85? And I will also be googling this question I thought I would ask the experts as well.

[KITT222]

Welcome! I too have a strong attachment to my Vibe. It will not take E85 without modification. Any particular reason why you want E85? It's more expensive and reduces fuel economy.

[zyzyix]

Hi and welcome.

[jake75]

I would prefer not even having to use E-10 but virtually all "gasoline" sold near me is adulterated with up to 10% ethanol. Since 90/10 has about 3.33% less energy than 100% gasoline if your mpg with 100% gasoline is 30mpg it will be 29 mpg with the 90/10 blend. E-85 has 28% less energy than 100% gasoline so 30 mpg goes down to 21.6 mpg. I presume that the per gallon federal and state tax applies to 100% gasoline, 90/10 gasoline/ethanol blends and E-85. If the tax is 60 cents per gallon that is 2 cents per mile if you use regular gasoline, but 2.8 cents a mile if you use E-85. All things being equal, E-85 should sell for 28% less per gallon than 100% gasoline. The price of E-85 is typically only about 10% less than 100% gasoline. Bottom line - E-85 is not a good deal for your pocket book. And it probably isn't even a good deal for the environment. It is, however, a good deal for farmers who raise corn.

[juppiter]

Where I live E85 is $3.39 and regular gas is $4.00 right now, so that's only 15% less. I guess it wouldn't save me money and the Vibe wouldn't take it anyway. I'm a very efficient driver, I always coast to red lights and my vibe and I are very much in tune -- if I have to drive another car it feels like adultery.

Thanks for the kind welcomes guys

[star_deceiver]

Welcome to GenVibe!!!

I'd spend the extra $$... not worth destroying your fuel system!

[vibenvy]

Welcome to GenVibe! Post some pictures of your beloved Vibe when you get a chance .

[jake75]

Just curious - anyone know what manufacturers have to alter to make an engine "flex fuel". My 2004 T & C with a 3.3L V^ was flex fuel. My 2007 T & C with a 3.3L V6 engine is not.
I have heard that ethanol can deteriorate certain plastics. Other than that I am clueless. [I never used flex fuel in my 2004.]

[mac99d]

LOL… OK here is some skinny
1. E85 should not cost more than regular if it is they are trying to get you. It cost less to manufacture Ethanol.
2. Yes you do need to modify your car to run E85. The stock ECU cannot compensate for the 30% higher fuel rate necessary for E85, so some kind of controller is needed. There are aftermarket kits just to run E85 in any car.
3. Reasons to run E85 are if you are worried about the environment and want to expel less hydrocarbons. E85 has a much higher octane rating good for performance minded cars properly tuned for it.
4. Coming from some one that has been running E85 for at least 4 years now. Destroy your fuel system possibly. I will let you know when it destroys mine. The way i see it by the time it does corrode my plastic fuel lines it will probably be time to replace them anyways and that is when I will install Stainless steal lines like I believe most flex fuel vehicles use.
Just my two cents on E85. Oh and I paid 3.09 gal the other day.

[Canker]

Growing the corn and producing the ethanol make it a wash at best as far as the environment goes. If we were using one of the many plants that are better than corn to make it from then it would make a lot more environmental sense.

[KITT222]

Holy carp E85 is cheap! In my area stations nearby have it for less than $2.50/gal! I stand corrected.

[jake75]

$2.50 for E85 = about $3.40 for 87 octane 90/10 blends.