E85

[l080100]

This is my beef. Here in SW Iowa, my local retailers carry E85 at 50 cents a gallon less than gas. That makes the "cost per mile" the same either way. I buy gas so I don't have to fill as often.

Get out of our immediate area, same state or surrounding states, and E85 is between 85 cents and $1.15 cheaper. Better to run E85.

My beef is, the wholesale price of E85 is under $2. So what is happening is, SOME retailers are taking advantage of that and overchargine US.

That's what's happening to you, bahollis.

I just haven't found who the right person is to complain to about it. Yet.

I agree big time. We live in Far southern MN along I-35. And there are three stations that sell E85 in town. One of them being KWIK-TRIP, another a Shell Station, and the third a Cenex Propane shop. Unleaded here runs right at $3.97/gallon. KT and Shell are ALWAYS exactly $0.60 cheaper per gallon for E85, while the Cenex store is between $0.60 and $0.75 cheaper.

That said, there are some places near here (within an hours drive) where E85can be had for under $3.00/gallon. It's like you said... places are taking advantage of those able to run flexfuel!!

 

[cwelk87gn]

I am trying to figure out if my 05 is e85 capable. What I keep reading on the internet says that all 5.3's are e85 ready, but I have read things to the contrary. Mine is a "T" code and I read something about the "Z" codes were the only flex fuel capable. Any ideas?

 

[pincusa]

Yeah, everything I read says the 8th character of VIN should be a Z

Also, look in your gas door and see if E85 is listed there

 

[l080100]

Check your RPO Codes (GloveBox)

I am trying to figure out if my 05 is e85 capable. What I keep reading on the internet says that all 5.3's are e85 ready, but I have read things to the contrary. Mine is a "T" code and I read something about the "Z" codes were the only flex fuel capable. Any ideas?

W/O the Z for the 8th Character in the VIN, I would doubt that it's flex fuel capable, but you can also look for the RPO Code L59 in your glovebox. That code indicates the 5.3L FLEX FUEL engine was installed in the truck.

 

[l080100]

RPO CODE

Does someone know what the RPO code is for a flex fuel engine on a '03 Tahoe? Just got it a month ago, and don't really trust the dealer...

The RPO Code is L59

 

[D'Hag]

I am trying to figure out if my 05 is e85 capable. What I keep reading on the internet says that all 5.3's are e85 ready, but I have read things to the contrary. Mine is a "T" code and I read something about the "Z" codes were the only flex fuel capable. Any ideas?

Sorry, 2005 engine code "T" is the NON-flex-fuel 5.3 litre engine.

That's not to say it's not "E85 capable." It just means it's not set up for Flex Fuel. Virtually all engines from the last 20 years can handle E85 without damage. What your '05 "T" engine is missing are larger injectors, a fuel composition sensor, and the programming to handle it in the computer. Heck, for all I know, it may have the programming there, but with no fuel comp input, it just uses the base gas settings.

Many vehicles will happily run E85, even though they're not "flex fuel." It's just a matter of how wide the fueling parameters are set in the computer, that determine when the Check Engine light comes on. Even then, there's no damage being done.

I talked to a guy last week who was filling his unmodified '86 Toyota MR2 with E85. He said it has more power, and no Check Engine light. And about 3 MPG lower fuel mileage. My '94 Probe (yes, I admit it, and I'm ashamed ) has run very nicely on "E60." Also more power and no Check Engine light. Next tank, it's getting full E85. We shall see.

My Firebird, though, had to be recalibrated. But well worth it!

As far as "Is my Tahoe Flex-Fuel?" It's not that hard to tell.

FIRST, if your Tahoe has the original gas door, and no one has peeled the stickers out of it, it will have a black and white sticker that says "E85 or Unleaded Fuel Only."

SECOND, if your Tahoe is 2006 or newer, you will have a YELLOW GAS CAP.

THIRD, for MODEL YEARS 2002-2006, you must have the 5.3-litre, engine code "Z."

FINALLY, for MODEL YEARS 2007 AND NEWER, you must have engine code "0" or "3."

Forget looking for RPO codes. Just look at the VIN, under the driver's side lower corner of the windshield, or the blue sticker in the door jamb. The engine code is the 8th digit of the VIN.

Sources--
An e-mail I got directly from GM, which I have deleted (sorry).
GM FAQ page, under "How can I tell if my vehicle can run on E85 ethanol?"
"How to read a VIN" at http://www.e85fuel.com/information/vin.php

 

[Sepiroth]

I ran my 1996 Ford Crown Victoria for over 20000 miles on E85 before I traded her off for the Burb. I too lost 3mpg isong the corn juice on her.