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Flex fuel vehicles

Old May 4, 2009 | 10:39 PM
  #1  
IgottaWoody's Avatar
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From: Washington State, where it rains
Flex fuel vehicles

Was following a Surburban with a flexfuel tag on the rear gate and was wondering...what drove this person to buy one of these when there are no E85 stations avail within reasonable driving distance? I'm sure they paid extra for this, yet cannot take advantage of it (other them maybe taxes..whatta scam).So whats the point of selling these in an area without E85? And besides, its still a 5k lb truck with a V8 that will get 20-30% less fuel milage, and I bet 95% of the time the truck is empty with one person on board.
Old May 4, 2009 | 11:00 PM
  #2  
Cajun's Avatar
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From: San Diego
I believe most all of the 2009's GM vehicles are FlexFuel...

They are out here, and I have never seen an E85 startion...

Cajun / Al
Old May 4, 2009 | 11:51 PM
  #3  
thorn11166's Avatar
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From: dequeen
they can also take more advantage of E85 used as an additive, we only have like two stations out of seven that are without the Ethanol all the rest have it
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:01 AM
  #4  
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From: Bakersfield, CA
The E85 sticker is to make you feel good about yourself. I live in Central California near Bakersfield, and I heard that there is one station that had E85 fuel, however, I've never seen it. In fact, no one I ever talked to has seen it. I think it's just a myth, like the tooth fairy, to make us happy when we get a tooth knocked out. However, when you are the Prius gang, you can point with pride at your FlexFuel sticker on the back of your HHR and count yourself with the Environmental friendly folks.
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:18 AM
  #5  
shaginwgn's Avatar
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From: Bowling Green, OH
There are two E85 stations in my local college town with 29,000 population one is Meijer (Regional Wal-Mart but better) and grain elevator with gas station. If I remember right the grain elevator took down the E85 price due to low demand when regular gas prices dropped from $4 to $2 because E85 was same or higher price then regular gas There was at one time a website to see where E85 are located at do not know if it is still up or where I found it at.
Old May 5, 2009 | 07:52 AM
  #6  
solman98's Avatar
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All the 5.3 GM trucks are FF capable, also all the 2.2 (not sure on the 2.4 or 2.0) HHR's are also FF capable. Cheaper to make off the em one way then to make it an option.

If mine was capable of running E85, I would. I run it on our work sedans whenever possible.
Old May 5, 2009 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
Yonash's Avatar
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From: Lakenheath, UK
it's not an extra cost option. they designed all the engines in vehicles labeled with them to be E85 compatible. i know the 2.2 is, pretty sure the 2.4 is as well. the 2.0T in the SS is not, thanks to our goofy ECU from the way i hear it. many of the trucks and SUVs are cabable too. they make it so those who live in an area that you can get it in, can use it, and those that can't get it, if they ever travel somewhere that does have it, they can try it. or if the E85 station network ever expands, the rest of us can take advantage of it when it gets to our area, we won't have to buy another car to be able to use it.
Old May 5, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #8  
Jeff®'s Avatar
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From: Fairport Harbor, OH
Maybe they have a backyard still.
Old May 5, 2009 | 11:45 AM
  #9  
Nor-Cal HHR Club's Avatar
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Another scam about E85... you have to fill up twice as much as regular gas.... and probably for more money (can anyone confirm the cost/gal of E85 ethacrap as compared to a gal of gas?)
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:07 PM
  #10  
solman98's Avatar
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From: Dallas, GA
Originally Posted by modestohhrclub
Another scam about E85... you have to fill up twice as much as regular gas.... and probably for more money (can anyone confirm the cost/gal of E85 ethacrap as compared to a gal of gas?)
I haven't priced it recently. But in the past when I have used it, I went from about 25-26 mpg (Impala) to about 22-23 mpg on the same type of driving. At that time, it was about 30 cents cheaper than 87. Since I moved, I don't know where the E85 stations are, so don't know how to compare the cost of the gallon (E85/87).

But I used to use it often when traveling to customers in South Carolina. In the 300K vehicles+ we have in our agency, we have some info on it.

But opinions do vary..... Lots of informed and uninformed people out there.

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