[Cornfield]

I have been running regular in my Pacifica. Today, I noticed that Flex Fuel was significantly lower per gallon. E85 was also lower. Are Flex Fuel or E85 OK to use in the Pacifica? Would either fuel cause problems?

 

[generaltso]

No, E85 is not okay for the Pacifica. Flex Fuel just means that a vehicle can take gas or E85. The Pacifica is not a Flex Fuel vehicle.

 

[vinnyf]

Just to add my two cents - as generaltso said, these are NOT rated for E85, but E85 isn't the bargain it seems anyway. The energy content of E85 is significantly lower than "regular" gasolene, so your fuel mileage would likewise be considerably lower.

 

[Nails1]

While the Pacifica is not a Flex Fuel vehicle capable of using E85, it is labeled to use E15. There are more and more blender pumps and E15 pumps especially in the Midwest where I live. I've been using E15 in my Pacifica for months now with no noticeable reduction in mpg like you see with E85. It is cheaper than E0 and E10 and I'm glad to have the option for a higher alcohol content fuel that uses a locally produced product (plant making ethanol is 10 miles away).

Today's fuel prices at my local corner station are:
E10: $1.91
E15: $1.86
E85: $1.69

 

[generaltso]

While the Pacifica is not a Flex Fuel vehicle capable of using E85, it is labeled to use E15. There are more and more blender pumps and E15 pumps especially in the Midwest where I live. I've been using E15 in my Pacifica for months now with no noticeable reduction in mpg like you see with E85. It is cheaper than E0 and E10 and I'm glad to have the option for a higher alcohol content fuel that uses a locally produced product (plant making ethanol is 10 miles away).

Today's fuel prices at my local corner station are:
E10: $1.91
E15: $1.86
E85: $1.69

E10 and E15 are all that's available near me, and you never really know which you're getting because all gas stations have a sticker that just says "contains up to 15% ethanol". There's one station that offers E0 but only in 93 octane. Regular E0 gas simply doesn't exist in my state, but neither does E85. Regular gas (which is E10 or E15) is currently $2.25 around here.

 

[abailey362]

Regular E0 gas simply doesn't exist in my state, but neither does E85.

There may not be any of these near you, but there are several corn free stations in VT.

search for pure gas VT. it won't let me post the link because of low post count =(

I'm a big fan of real gas for 2 reasons. less wear on the car due to the quick break down of the mix, and the better mileage. My Silverado gets about 15% better mileage on 100% gas vs E10. I will hopefully be able to test on the Pacifica if i can get my wife to fill up at the right stations and help track it.

 

[generaltso]

There may not be any of these near you, but there are several corn free stations in VT.

Check again. None of them are regular 87 octane.

 

[1984 Sheepdog]

Just to add my two cents - as generaltso said, these are NOT rated for E85, but E85 isn't the bargain it seems anyway. The energy content of E85 is significantly lower than "regular" gasolene, so your fuel mileage would likewise be considerably lower.

while researching the Pacifica, I came across a 2017 Pacifica online that was used and I believe it was flex fuel (I didn't drive it though). I also know a couple of people that purchased late model used T&Cs in the past year where their cars had a flex fuel emblem on the car. I presume that these were specially ordered fleet vehicles or something like that.


If the OP bought something like that, there is a chance it would be flex fuel, but if new, sounds like that is not possible.

 

[abailey362]

Check again. None of them are regular 87 octane.

completely missed that. i'm so used to looking for premium for my truck, didn't even think to verfy the octane ratings on those.

 

[dalscott]

while researching the Pacifica, I came across a 2017 Pacifica online that was used and I believe it was flex fuel (I didn't drive it though). I also know a couple of people that purchased late model used T&Cs in the past year where their cars had a flex fuel emblem on the car. I presume that these were specially ordered fleet vehicles or something like that.


If the OP bought something like that, there is a chance it would be flex fuel, but if new, sounds like that is not possible.

I had a 2011 T&C and it was a flex fuel vehicle. I think most since there are. I tried it a few tanks and stopped using it soon. Overall mileage in town was 18 on regular and 13 on e85. In town, didn’t really notice any performance difference.