E 85

[steve460]

Ok, my 25 year old daughter put in E85 in her 2007 honda civic. I know this has nothing to do with infiniti but I didn't know who to turn to besides my buddies. She only put in a half a tank. What problems are going to occur? What should we do? She drove 30 miles home with no incident.

Thanks in advance for any info you have.

[Infinitiexpert]

If it has done any damage by now, then it should be OK. Just try to remove as much as possible from the tank and then fill it up with the high octane. The biggest problem is that the E85 is low octane and it may cause low power and pre detonation, which can cause some cylinder damage. The good thins is that the civic is low power, thank God wasn't your G35.

[Gilley]

It's better than putting diesel in there. I know someone who was able to somehow do that.

[CPV35]

E85 is ~100-105 oct, but needs more fuel by volume to produce the same combustion energy as gasoline.

I've ran up to 30% E85 mix with no issues, but MPG was bad. Sure performed like a bat out of hell though.

Assuming only 1/2 tank on gauge and being E85 I suggest this:

Fill it up to full with just whatever gasoline it normally takes. That'll be ~50% E85/gasoline mix. Drive to 1/2 tank then fill up again (that'll be ~25% mixed). Then don't worry about it. Modern vehicles can safely run 30% Ethanol mix with no fuel component related issues that aren't designed as 'flex fuel' vehicles (100% E85).

Fuel filter (if equiped) could become clogged on non-flex fuel vehicles. Too long to explain why, but just an FYI in case it does. I'll explain if you want me to here though, just ask.

Modern vehicles fuel components can handle an Ethanol mix. Years ago 'gasohol' and 'oxygenated' fuels were mandated in many US states. Manufactures had to design fuel components to follow that mandate while not doing any harm to vehicle (or void any warranty related issues).

Your daughter did no harm to the engine. In fact, she'll be cleaning the combustion chambers quite nicely in using E85 while diluting back to gasoline. MPG's will be lower until back to 100% gas btw. Tell her not to use the 'yellow' pump handle next time lol.

[Har568]

Yep, she will be fine.....I'll tell you a story of mine on my flex fuel vehicle...I was filling at our company gas pumps and I realized at about a half a tank I had grabbed the Diesel instead of gas. WELL I finished filling with gas once I realized it and then let it run down to 3/4 and filled with gas and did this for some time a that was 4 years ago and NO PROBLEM with the car. I hope that story helps....

[CPV35]

Yea diesel is more incompatible than E85 for gasoline cars. How in the heck do you get that fat diesel nozzle into the smaller gas tank opening?

I've done the opposite, gas into my diesel truck
It was of those bad information over-load days (aka senior moments) <-- hiding from embarrassment.

[Har568]

Our nozzels were the same size

[CPV35]

Ah gotcha. It's not like that on the west coast. Even at company fill stations.