E85 Prius V

[airfidget]

All,

I'm inspired to get back on here and try another post.

I have purchased a wrecked, salvaged, and reconditioned 2013 Prius V that I am just having fun with, doing experiments, hypermiling, doing small modifications. 0 modifications to engine currently. Only weight reduction and drag reduction.

The past month I've been working with ethanol. Here are my results so far.

All tests performed at the same gas station, same pump, and run for 100 miles minimum to test if the MIL light came on. All mixes of E85 and regular are based off of the sticker concentration of ethanol, I know it can vary widely. All tests are done in town driving, no big hills, back and forth to work for my 6 mile commute. The Prius V is unmodified for ethanol. But it's all an experiment, and I'll never know if I don't try.

E10 regular 87, no MIL light, 49 mpg
E10 premium 91, no MIL light, 51 mpg
"E25" 2.07 gallons regular, 0.69 gallons E85, no MIL light, 48 mpg
"E50" 1.29 gallons regular, 1.46 gallons E85, no MIL light, 45 MPG
"E75" 0.69 gallons regular, 2.07 gallons E85, no MIL light, 45 MPG
E85, MIL light within 10 miles, 44 MPG

I am surprised at the noteably low difference between E10 and E85.

Thoughts?

[freebeard]

As an additional data point you might try clear premium (E00).

[redpoint5]

Very few variables are controlled and nothing is repeated, so absolutely any result would be unsurprising to me.

If a pattern appeared from repeated testing despite the lack of variable controls, we might have something to say about the results.

[rmay635703]

Many cars get “better than expected “ fuel economy on ethanol blends, especially in the e20-e50 area.

Be forewarned Temperatures have a larger effect on MPGs when using high percentages of ethanol

[airfidget]

Originally Posted by freebeard

As an additional data point you might try clear premium (E00).

Freebeard, thank you. I could add a data point if I can find it near me.

[airfidget]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Many cars get “better than expected “ fuel economy on ethanol blends, especially in the e20-e50 area.

Be forewarned Temperatures have a larger effect on MPGs when using high percentages of ethanol

I am worried about that. I waited for the heat of summer to drop, September was very mild in Illinois. But we just switched to fall weather, so I want to repeat a few of the data points a couple of times at lower temperatures and just keep track on here.

[freebeard]

I could add a data point if I can find it near me

There are people ready to help: www.buyrealgas.com/Illinois.html

[airfidget]

Originally Posted by airfidget

I am worried about that. I waited for the heat of summer to drop, September was very mild in Illinois. But we just switched to fall weather, so I want to repeat a few of the data points a couple of times at lower temperatures and just keep track on here.

Alas, up north. Illinois is tall and kind of skinny. It would take me 4 hours to get to Bloomington to fill up.

Thank you, though. I'm going to proceed as planned.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by airfidget

I am surprised at the noteably low difference between E10 and E85.

Quite predictable for a hybrid, as it's optimized to take more benefit of electric drive in town. BTW I guess you already know about the flexfuel versions of the Corolla and Corolla Cross available in Brazil, so maybe a remap shouldn't be out of question.