What would happen if I put E85 in the fuel tank?

Tiny
OLSON11
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
What would happen if I put e85 inside the car? I've looked it up a lot but never gotten a straight answer.
Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 AT 12:20 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
Hi,

First, yes, your vehicle will run on E85. However, there are reasons it shouldn't be used in a non-E85 vehicle, and I recommend against it for several reasons.

First, there would be a power loss and much lower fuel mileage per gallon. Chances are the check engine light would turn on because the oxygen sensors will think the vehicle is running lean because of lower emissions. This results in the PCM adjusting fuel mixtures to make the system richer. That is where the lower MPG comes from.

Next, because E85 is made with up to 85% ethanol, it is very corrosive to different metals and rubber used in your vehicle's fuel system. It will attack aluminum, magnesium, and rubber components which will eventually lead to failures.

Overall, the money saved will be offset (by a lot) by lower fuel economy and the repairs that will ultimately result.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

joe
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Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 AT 10:04 PM

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