What is your oil change interval when running 100% E85 (on 5.0L V8)?

[jridout325]

I have a 22' 5.0 and I'm located in Iowa where its actually cheaper and convenient to run E85. So I have been running E85 for the last 3,000ish miles and the truck loves it so I plan on continuing to run it. I change my oil in 4k intervals with motorcraft oil and filter. Is that going to be sufficient? I've seen on other car forums where they don't suggest going over 3k miles when exclusively running E85. Just trying to get an idea of what everyone else does. Thanks for any input!

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[Pedaldude]

One of the things that I think I remember from the manual is that Ford says to run a full tank of conventional gasoline through the truck when you change your oil.

You might also send off a sample for used oil analysis and they will say if the oil is still up for the job or not.

One of the big problems with ethanol is that there’s already water in it and it can absorb more. I imagine that letting your truck warm up for short trips is even more important than with the regular gasoline.

Good luck and let us know what you find out!

 

[jridout325]

Yes the only thing the manual says is to just run a tank of regular gas through every oil change. It says nothing about oil life. I do know my intelligent oil life monitor on my Ford pass app says to change around 4200 miles. So it must know I’m using E85 because they typically say to change every 8-10k miles. I’m wondering if I should do 3k intervals instead as I always feel like I should do it more frequently than Ford even recommends

 

[FORDTEXAS]

yes that is correct, the vehicle's oil life monitor goes based off of what gas you are using, how hard you are driving and etc..

 

[troy12n]

Wouldn't know, it gets garbage fuel economy on the corn gas.

Tried it for a few tanks and gave up.

The economy of it absolutely does not work in a "miles per dollar" calculation unless it's more than 50 cents or more less per gallon, which it never is.

 

[jridout325]

Wouldn't know, it gets garbage fuel economy on the corn gas.

Tried it for a few tanks and gave up.

The economy of it absolutely does not work in a "miles per dollar" calculation unless it's more than 50 cents or more less per gallon, which it never is.

Not sure where you’re at but I live in Iowa so E85 is easily available and I can get it for $2.22/gallon right now so it’s roughly $1.20 cheaper than 87. And the truck loves it so it’s a no brainer for me.

 

[Kanuck]

Saving a few dollars on gas vs maybe having to do an motor job just doesn't make sense to me. In Manitoba, my fuel cost over 2 years, is $0.21 a Km or $0.32 a mile. What does your E85 cost you per mile?

I change my oil and filter every 8000 Km or 5000 miles. So in 50,000 miles I changed my oil 10 times to your (50,000 / 3000) = 16.6 times at what cost? If the oil change cost say, $60.00. I have paid $600 to your $996.00. $396.00 buys a lot of 87 gas. $396.00/$1.20 is about 330 gallons of 87 gas at your prices.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Calson]

I would avoid using ethanol fuel in any vehicle. Any perceived savings at the pump is negated by poorer fuel economy and having to change the oil twice as often. Fuel filters as with oil filters, provide the poorest filtration when new so changing them more often is not a good move.

 

[huhner5]

275k miles on my 06 f150.. 99% of that is on e85.. oil changes @5k miles...e85 is an incredible fuel.. .. $1.30 cheaper for me vs. e10 87oct

 

[EcoB259]

E85 is higher hp and it runs cooler. It’s better for your engine. Ask any tuner.

 

[Aonarch]

I have a 22' 5.0 and I'm located in Iowa where its actually cheaper and convenient to run E85. So I have been running E85 for the last 3,000ish miles and the truck loves it so I plan on continuing to run it. I change my oil in 4k intervals with motorcraft oil and filter. Is that going to be sufficient? I've seen on other car forums where they don't suggest going over 3k miles when exclusively running E85. Just trying to get an idea of what everyone else does. Thanks for any input!

I'd do 3,000-5,000 miles on E85, but pull a sample to check.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Quite a few manufacturers actually recommend earlier oil changes when using E 85.

I’ve heard recommendations of oil changes at 3-5K

Personally, I would never take an oil change past 5K

I also do not buy into the E 85 fuel usage for a normal street driven truck

Now a truck that’s got a bunch of mods that’s a different story but for a normal every day commuter truck I would not use E85

 

[jridout325]

I'd do 3,000-5,000 miles on E85, but pull a sample to check.

Since I started this thread I’ve been doing 3,000 miles with Pennzoil ultra platinum. Better safe than sorry as oil is cheap

 

[Octane Haus]

When I use to run an E30 map on my 2021 3.5EB, I would send samples to blackstone and change the oil every 5K miles. The samples never showed any issues, it was great peace of mind.

I wouldnt run anything other than the Motorcraft semi synthetic- like Project Farm says, frequent oil changes are more important than the oil brand you use.

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