Q: What if E85 is not available?
The flex fuel vehicle system allows drivers to use any combination of gasoline or ethanol - from 100% unleaded gasoline up to 85% ethanol. If E85 is not available, you can therefore use unleaded gas.
Q: What is the difference between an flex fuel vehicle and a regular gasoline-only vehicle? Do they use different parts?
A flex fuel vehicle has only one major additional part - the fuel sensor that detects the ethanol/gasoline mix. Other parts on a flex fuel vehicles fuel delivery system are modified slightly to be compatible with a high level of ethanol. These include the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel injectors, computer system, anti-siphon device, and dashboard gauges. Since high levels of alcohol are corrosive, any parts that come in contact with the fuel have been upgraded to tolerate the alcohol. Normally, this will mean a stainless steel fuel tank and Teflon-lined fuel hoses.