Can I convert my car to run on E85 ethanol? Mitch, Orlando
Technically, most any vehicle can be made to run on E85, which is 85 percent alcohol, and 15 percent gasoline. The small percentage of gasoline does two things: it helps the engine start when it’s cold, and it prevents people from drinking the pure alcohol (and no, I’m not making that up). E85 can corrode metal parts, damage rubber parts, and confuse your onboard computer, but it is a legitimate replacement for pure gasoline. That said, to make the conversion yourself, or have it done independently to federal standards, would cost a fortune. The age and type of vehicle would also affect how difficult the job would be.
A few companies make genuine E85 conversion kits, the largest being Chicago-based Flex Fuel U.S. The company sells EPA-certified kits for some Dodge, Chrysler and Ford vehicles, with local installation typically handled by Aamco. Plenty of “kits” are also available that do not have EPA certification – you can find them on eBay ranging in price from $132 to $700, some of them just boxes that plug into your car’s computer. I’d be very careful about converting a gasoline-burning vehicle to run on E85, especially without checking to see if it will void any warranty you may have left.
In some states converting to E85 might make financial sense, but with E85 ethanol averaging just 15 percent less in price than gasoline in Florida — and and you can expect to get at least 15 percent lower mileage with E85 than gas — there is no financial reason to spend money to convert to E85, unless you’re intent on making an anti-oil statement.
Scsmith3@tribune.com.
