Flex fuel performance
Asked by CheeseCakeVernie Mar 07, 2020 at 07:44 AM about the 2016 Ford Explorer XLT
Question type: General
I have a 2016 Explorer, the V6 comes with 290 HP,
and is a flex fuel vehicle. Is the 290 rated on regular
fuel or E85? Just curious, read and watch a lot of
reviews saying E85 gives more HP
2 Answers
E85 can be used in high compression racing engines because of the high alcohol content but for ordinary engines I doubt there are any advantages. You get much lower fuel economy with E85 because the fuel is less energy dense. As far as saving the planet I have my doubts. Too many studies indicate that E85 is a boondoggle that produces little to no net energy. All E85 does is convert conventional energy (oil) + food (meaning higher grocery prices) into booze. Edmund's did a test and found poor fuel economy and less HP with E85. https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/e85-vs-gasoline-comparison-test.html
E85 will give less HP, not more. Oh, and Ford will use regular gas (probably non-ethanol) to prove their 290 HP.
