E85Forum.com

broomhandle · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 5

hello,

i have a 2005 c240 wagon. got it because it runs on E85, with no mods. i am getting about 14mpg in the city, and 17 mpg on the freeway. thats what www.fueleconomy.gov says, so its true. Smile

cost effective it is not wort it. but.... i did it for the environment, and its a gas alternative. i hate gasoline!!!!

is there anything i can do to increase my mpg? any ideas?

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

Unless you have access to a third party method to reflash the engine management software there is not a lot you can do.

There are a few things you could try. Does your car have a real temperature gauge or only an idiot light to tell you if it is running hot?
E85 runs very cool and the engine may not be running hot enough to give best fuel economy. You might try changing the stock thermostat to a higher temperature thermostat if one is available. If there is no warmer thermostat available (or you don't want to mess with changing it out) try partially blocking the radiator with a piece of cardboard. Cover about 50% of the radiator area, but keep an eye on engine temperature for over heating. You want the engine over 190 deg F and oil temps near 210 deg F for best fuel economy.

You might also try splash blending gasoline and E85 for a mixture in between straight gasoline and straight E85. I know several people that get best fuel mileage and lowest cost per mile at a fuel mixture of 30% - 60% E85.

Don't forget that this time of year your fuel mileage will drop regardless of what fuel you are using due to cold weather.

Larry

broomhandle · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 5

being cold outside can drop the millage by how much?

i did try a spash of gas, and it did not improve that much.

my mother has the same car, and she runs gas, and gets 18 in the city. vrs 14 on e85, thats horrible. i can not see e85 cars taking off if this is how they run. diesel is extremly more efficient. thats what i have always run before.

Obormot · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

to obtain better mpg and driveability in cold weather you need to heat intake air or fuel. i think heating of air is better.

you can take a tube (sleeve) and put one end to air intake, other end put closely to output collector. so engine will take air, heated by output collector, instead cold air from the outside.

such stock system was in old carb. and monoinjection engines.
this really improoves MPG and engine heating time in winter.

_________________
European E85 conversion kit
http://bioadapter.com

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

Obormot · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

some cars do not turn on "Check Engine" lamp in case of too lean mixture. this do not mean that ECU can fix this problem - you still driving on overleaned mixture, but without CE lamp.

in this case will be bad driveability and MPG, and i think it is dangerous for exhaust valves.
_________________
European E85 conversion kit
http://bioadapter.com

broomhandle · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 5

[/quote]

Was that a factory FFV? I remember looking at C230's that were but eliminated the idea when I found out all the 230's that were FFV's to be FWD only. I was interested in them because they called for higher octane gas and I felt that it might do well on E85. That quickly turned though when I had to show the dealer which ones were FFV and which were not (VIN# was the only way to tell).
[/quote]

the mercedes, you open the gas lid, and it says E85 or premium.

here is a list for mercedes, i think there are others that are not on it like one of the 07+ class is a flex:

Mercedes-Benz
2005
3.2L C320 luxury & sport sedan & sport coupe
2.6L C240 luxury sedan & wagon

2004
3.2L C320 sport sedan, wagon & sport coupe
2.6L C240 luxury sedan & wagon

2003
3.2L C320 sport sedan

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin