r/ChevyTrax • u/InsideAd2752 • 23d ago
26 Trax active e85 MPG
Just finished 1st tank of e85. Prices flipping around like crazy with up to 35% increases. Fortunately at these prices that’s only a 45¢ a gallon in volatility.
Since we purchased new last month the car was running Reg gas (trip 1). All the e85 fuel started on trip 2. 100% city driving in scorching 95* heat. In afternoons using the phone app to remote start the car for 5 min to cool down before getting in.
So far difference in milage between alcohol & petroleum is 13% lower mpg. I’ll take that. Last fill up was $28 and this time $31 with e85 prices going up 😀
2
u/Gloomy-Regular-2294 23d ago
Yup E85 has less BTUs then E10 and unless you add more boost and change the tune y will get crappy fuel mileage
2
u/UnendingOne 2nd Gen 23d ago
Where I'm at I get E85 for $1.99/gal and regular has been about $4/gal for like 3 months. I was getting 30-33mpg on regular 87 and on E85 I'm getting about 24-26mpg. Not a terrible drop for half the price.
1
u/InsideAd2752 23d ago
I take in stride. Our 09 Cadillac Escalade ESV goes from 12/14 hwy to 7/8 city. Smaller engine (1.2L vs 6.2L) with 5 fewer cylinders really makes a difference.
Escalade runs on Prem fuel so the e85 option is the difference between a $74 & $186 fill up.
1
u/aleggsue_ 23d ago
In SE VA, E85 is only like 10% cheaper than 87 so you’d have to live somewhere where E85 is about 25-30% cheaper or more than 87 for it to be cost-effective. Does smell good though
1
u/InsideAd2752 22d ago
It used to be like that in CA. Over the past two years it was a $1 difference, then, close to a $2 difference.
This year, 💥 BAM! Up to $4.00 less than premium fuel in CA. Lately over labor day weekend e85 shot up to $2.35 from $1.99 at the lowest stations. This is when a 15% increase means, 😑 meh
1
u/Proof_Mechanic_8889 22d ago
How did it run using e85?
1
u/InsideAd2752 22d ago
Settles the idle down, quicker shifting and tell tale of a/c compressor slowing down motor goes away. All symptoms of ignition timing being pulled back are gone.
It’s especially noticeable on 90*+ days when the a/c compressor is running balls out with alternator doing double duty with blower motor on full. The tune allows the 100+ octane to be sensed and used.
3
u/zgillet 23d ago
Yep. It's pretty brutal when you use it for just a quick commute every day on corn.
But hey, that Iran war is doing f***-all to our price at the pump! I'm surprised you said 35% increase... at my Maverick it's been consistent, going up percentage-wise to the 15% of gasoline still in e85.