Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Flexible Fuel Engine shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Flexible Fuel Engine offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Flexible Fuel Engine at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Flexible Fuel Engine? Wrong! If the Flexible Fuel Engine is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Flexible Fuel Engine then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Flexible Fuel Engine? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Flexible Fuel Engine and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Flexible Fuel Engine wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Flexible Fuel Engine then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Flexible Fuel Engine site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Flexible Fuel Engine, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Flexible Fuel Engine, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.



A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle (also sometimes called only flex-fuel) is an automobile that can typically use different sources of fuel, either mixed in the same tank or with separate tanks and fuel systems for each fuel.http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.html A common example is a vehicle that can accept gasoline mixed with varying levels of bioethanol (gasohol). Some cars carry a natural gas tank and one can switch from gasoline to gas.

Bi-fuel systems Unlike dual-fuel systems, which allow the use of only one fuel at a time, bi-fuel systems supply both fuels into the combustion chamber at the same time.http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.html

Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States All vehicle conversions must be certified according to Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A (Memo 1A),http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/memo1a.html the Addendum to Memo 1A, and the Revision to the Addendum to Memo 1A, which were issued by EPA.

North American vehicles from approximately 1980 onward can run on 10% ethanol/90% gasoline (i.e., E10 fuel) with no modifications. Prior to 1980, many cars imported into the United States contained rubber, aluminium, and other materials that were generally non-compatible with any ethanol in their fuel delivery systems, and these cars experienced problems when E10 was first introduced. Going beyond 10% ethanol generally requires special engineering.In the United States, many flexible-fuel vehicles can accept up to 85% ethanol (E85) or up to 85% methanol (M85). The fuel mixture is automatically detected by one or more sensors, and once detected, the Engine Control Unit tunes the timing of spark plugs and fuel injectors so that the fuel will burn cleanly in the vehicle's internal combustion engine. Originally, sensors in both the fuel-line and in the exhaust system were used for flexible fuel vehicles. In recent years, manufacturers have instead opted to use only the oxygen (lambda) sensor in the exhaust manifold, before the catalytic converter, and to eliminate the fuel inline sensor. This fuel inline sensor was removed in model year 1998: DaimlerChrysler; 2001: Ford and 2006: GM. As E85 and M85 are more corrosive, special fuel system materials are also required. Some manufacturers also require a special motor oil be used, particularly in vehicles using methanol fuel. But after 1995, all vehicles in the United States must be able to use ethanol. Corrosion is no longer an issue.

In 1993 through 1995, Ford offered the first production M85 FFV option on the 3.0L engine in the Ford Taurus while Chrysler offered M85 flexible-fuel versions of the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim with an MPFI 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine. FFV Chrysler minivans were also offered beginning around the same time, with a version of the corporate 3.3 L V6 engine. With the introduction of the Taurus re-design for 1996, Ford complemented the M85 FFV Taurus, sold mainly in California, with the first production E85 FFV using the same 3.0L engine in the Taurus and offering these for sale in most of the rest of the country. In 1998, General Motors Corporation introduced their first light truck (an S10, with 2.2L engine) in a flexible-fuel configuration. In 1998, Ford Motor Company introduced a flexible-fuel option on its 1999 Ford Ranger pickup trucks, and it has also continued to be an option on the company's Taurus model. For 2000, Ford also made their 4.0L SOHC engine found in the Explorer FFV capable and introduced it in the re-designed United States Postal Service delivery truck, which was based on a Ford Explorer chassis and powertrain in 2000 and 2001. Ford later extended this FFV powertrain to the consumer market with the E85 FFV Ford Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, but phased it out with the new Explorer re-design in 2006. In that year, Ford began offering the 4.6L V8 version of the F-150 with E85 FFV capability for consumers and fleets. During the summer of 2006, Toyota officials stated that their company would consider FFV vehicle production in the future. Mercedes-Benz also offers E85/Flexible fuel vehicles, and GM has been rumored to be offering the Saab 9-3BioPower in the US in 2009. The Saab line of BioPower cars is currently one of the most popular E85-capable cars in Europe.

Flexible fuel vehicles are often identified as such by exterior badging, such as Ford's "road-and-leaf" badge introduced in 1993 and still used on Ford FFV and HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) models. They can also be identified by labelling adjacent to the fuel filler and fuel gauge, and by the engine identifier digit in the VIN.

As of 2005, most existing vehicles that are available to the public with flex-fuel engines are sport-utility vehicles or others in the "light truck" class. Sedans, station wagon, and others are usually only available in flexible-fuel configurations as part of Fleet vehicles vehicle purchases by companies. Starting in 2006, though, more widespread availability is planned for standard models intended for non-fleet sales.

A 1988 federal law provides an incentive for creating flexible fuel vehicles in the form of credits that can be used to relax Corporate Average Fuel Economy fuel efficiency standards. It is alleged that this efficiency relaxation has decreased overall US fleet efficiency, thereby resulting in increased nationwide fuel consumption. Alternative fuel vehicles are eligible for tax credits until 2010 of up to $4000.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_afv.shtmlttp://consumerist.com/consumer/vehicles/september-is-last-month-to-qualify-for-hybrid-vehicle-tax-credit-296360.php Individual states are also offering their own rebates.http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/income09.html

Over 4 million flexible-fuel vehicles are currently operated on the road in America, although a 2002 study found that less than 1% of fuel consumed by these vehicles is E85. The Center for American Progress released a study in 2007 that showed how many flex-fuel cars were in each state and how many E85 fuel pumps were in each state.

Recently US companies are offering products, originally developed in Brazil, that will convert gasoline-only, fuel-injected vehicles to flex-fuel vehicles. Typical conversion packages include an electronic device to increase injected fuel volume per cycle (because of the lower energy content of ethanol) and in some cases a chemical treatment to protect the engine from corrosion. Products include AutoFFV from Abcesso, and Flex-Tek from XCelPlus.

Flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil Since the oil crisis in the 70's, Brazil has been selling ethanol as a fuel. Car manufacturers modified gasoline engines to support ethanol characteristics (Changes are on compression ratio, amount of fuel injected, replacement of materials that would get corroded by the contact with ethanol, use of colder spark plugs suitable for dissipating heat due to higher flame temperatures, and an auxiliary cold-start system that injects gasoline from a small tank in the engine compartment to help starting when cold) and have been selling ethanol powered cars since then. However, flexible fuel technology started being developed only on the end of the 90's. The flexible fuel car is built with an ethanol ready engine and one fuel tank. The oxygen sensor, used to measure the quality of combustion in conventional engines, is also required to tell the ECU which blend of gasoline and alcohol is being burnt. So, the controller regulates the amount of fuel injected and spark time: fuel flow needs to be decreased and also self-combustion needs to be avoided when gasoline is used (because ethanol engines have compression ratio around 12:1, too high for gasoline). Those cars can run with arbitrary combinations of gasoline and alcohol (can use both fuels sold in Brazil -- ethanol or gasoline with a blend of 20-25% ethanol - pure or blended in any proportion).

In May 2003 Volkswagen built for the first time a production flexible fuel car, the Volkswagen Gol 1.6 Total Flex. Chevrolet followed two months later with the General Motors Corsa 1.8 Flexpower, using an engine developed by a joint-venture with Fiat called PowerTrain.

As of 2005, popular manufacturers that build flexible fuel vehicles are Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, Peugeot, Renault ,Volkswagen, Honda, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Citröen. Flexible fuel cars were 22% of the car sales in 2004, 73% in 2005 , and 75% and 90% rates are estimated for 2006 and 2007.

There's another type of flexible fuel vehicle that is not uncommon in Brazil. Those are the cars able to switch from gasoline to compressed natural gas. The term "flex-fuel", however is never used to describe those cars; instead, they are called bi-fueled vehicleshttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.htmlor tri-fueled if they are built with an ethanol-gasoline flexible fuel engine (and tetra-fueled if they can run on pure gasoline). These vehicles are always adapted in specialized houses after they are bought. In many capitals, natural gas shares a small part of the fuel market with gasoline and ethanol. It has the advantages of having government incentives for cars with such systems, like annual tax reduction, and being the cheaper cost-per-mile in the country. The disadvantages are a slight reduction of engine power, the small number of gas stations that have this fuel available, having the lowest mileage and the space needed for the cylinder (normally one or two) installation, normally taking up a good amount of space in the trunk.

Trucks and pickups are mostly diesel powered and there's no project on conversion to some kind of flexible fuel system. Instead the tendency is to replace regular diesel with bio-diesel. The currently allowed mixture is 98% diesel and 2% bio-diesel. The mixture of 95% diesel and 5% bio-diesel will become a requirement only in 2013.

FIAT has introduced in 2006 the FIAT Siena Tetra fuel, which can run on 100% ethanol, E25 (Brazil's common gasoline mixture of 75% gasoline and 25% ethanol), pure gasoline (not available in Brazil) and natural gas. Fiat to Launch Tetra-fuel Siena in Brazil - NGV Global

Flex Fuel Vehicles to be imported from Brazil. California automobile distributor ZAP, has agreed to be the exclusive North American distributor and has pre-purchased 50,000 cars from Brazilian automotive maker OBVIO!. The first models scheduled to go into production are the flex-fueled Obvio! 828 and Obvio! 012 in 2007, soon to be followed by the 828E and 012E equipped with electric drive systems. Models are expected to be available in Canada and the United States in late 2008.

Flexible-fuel vehicles in Europe For a long time Ford Taurus was the only flexible-fuel vehicle sold in Sweden. It was later replaced by Ford Focus. In 2005 Saab began selling its Saab 9-5 (joined in 2006 by its 9-5 2.3 Biopower), and Volvo its Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 with flexible-fuel engines.In 2007, Saab also started selling a BioPower version of its popular Saab 9-3 line. The Saab-derived Cadillac BLS will also be available with E85 compatible engines in 2008.

There are also plans of selling E85 fuel, and then some flexible-fuel vehicles, in other European countries:- In October 2005, the Ford Focus FFV became the first flexible-fuel vehicle to be commercially sold in Ireland. E-85 is available throughout a limited number of Maxol service stations in the Republic. Redesigned Ford C-MAX FFV may be sold there in 2007.- Ford offers the Focus (all three models) since August 2005 in Germany. Ford is about to offer also the Mondeo and other models as FFV versions between 2007 and 2010.- Renault and PSA (Citroen & Peugeot) announced to start selling FFV cars from summer 2007.

The Koenigsegg CCXR is currently the fastest and most powerful flexible fuel vehicle with its twin-supercharged V8 producing 1018hp when running on biofuel (compared to 806hp on 91 Octane rating (US) unleaded gasoline).

List of currently-produced flexible fuel vehicles Worldwide

2008

2007

2006

2004 - 2005

2002 - 2004

2002 - 2003

2001

1999 and 2000

Many 1995-98 Taurus 3.0L Sedans are also FFVs

Note: * denotes fleet purchase only

Europe

United States

Brazil

See also

References

External links



A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) or dual-fuel vehicle (also sometimes called only flex-fuel) is an automobile that can typically use different sources of fuel, either mixed in the same tank or with separate tanks and fuel systems for each fuel.http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.html A common example is a vehicle that can accept gasoline mixed with varying levels of bioethanol (gasohol). Some cars carry a natural gas tank and one can switch from gasoline to gas.

Bi-fuel systems Unlike dual-fuel systems, which allow the use of only one fuel at a time, bi-fuel systems supply both fuels into the combustion chamber at the same time.http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.html

Flexible-fuel vehicles in the United States All vehicle conversions must be certified according to Mobile Source Enforcement Memorandum 1A (Memo 1A),http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/memo1a.html the Addendum to Memo 1A, and the Revision to the Addendum to Memo 1A, which were issued by EPA.

North American vehicles from approximately 1980 onward can run on 10% ethanol/90% gasoline (i.e., E10 fuel) with no modifications. Prior to 1980, many cars imported into the United States contained rubber, aluminium, and other materials that were generally non-compatible with any ethanol in their fuel delivery systems, and these cars experienced problems when E10 was first introduced. Going beyond 10% ethanol generally requires special engineering.In the United States, many flexible-fuel vehicles can accept up to 85% ethanol (E85) or up to 85% methanol (M85). The fuel mixture is automatically detected by one or more sensors, and once detected, the Engine Control Unit tunes the timing of spark plugs and fuel injectors so that the fuel will burn cleanly in the vehicle's internal combustion engine. Originally, sensors in both the fuel-line and in the exhaust system were used for flexible fuel vehicles. In recent years, manufacturers have instead opted to use only the oxygen (lambda) sensor in the exhaust manifold, before the catalytic converter, and to eliminate the fuel inline sensor. This fuel inline sensor was removed in model year 1998: DaimlerChrysler; 2001: Ford and 2006: GM. As E85 and M85 are more corrosive, special fuel system materials are also required. Some manufacturers also require a special motor oil be used, particularly in vehicles using methanol fuel. But after 1995, all vehicles in the United States must be able to use ethanol. Corrosion is no longer an issue.

In 1993 through 1995, Ford offered the first production M85 FFV option on the 3.0L engine in the Ford Taurus while Chrysler offered M85 flexible-fuel versions of the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim with an MPFI 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine. FFV Chrysler minivans were also offered beginning around the same time, with a version of the corporate 3.3 L V6 engine. With the introduction of the Taurus re-design for 1996, Ford complemented the M85 FFV Taurus, sold mainly in California, with the first production E85 FFV using the same 3.0L engine in the Taurus and offering these for sale in most of the rest of the country. In 1998, General Motors Corporation introduced their first light truck (an S10, with 2.2L engine) in a flexible-fuel configuration. In 1998, Ford Motor Company introduced a flexible-fuel option on its 1999 Ford Ranger pickup trucks, and it has also continued to be an option on the company's Taurus model. For 2000, Ford also made their 4.0L SOHC engine found in the Explorer FFV capable and introduced it in the re-designed United States Postal Service delivery truck, which was based on a Ford Explorer chassis and powertrain in 2000 and 2001. Ford later extended this FFV powertrain to the consumer market with the E85 FFV Ford Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac, but phased it out with the new Explorer re-design in 2006. In that year, Ford began offering the 4.6L V8 version of the F-150 with E85 FFV capability for consumers and fleets. During the summer of 2006, Toyota officials stated that their company would consider FFV vehicle production in the future. Mercedes-Benz also offers E85/Flexible fuel vehicles, and GM has been rumored to be offering the Saab 9-3BioPower in the US in 2009. The Saab line of BioPower cars is currently one of the most popular E85-capable cars in Europe.

Flexible fuel vehicles are often identified as such by exterior badging, such as Ford's "road-and-leaf" badge introduced in 1993 and still used on Ford FFV and HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) models. They can also be identified by labelling adjacent to the fuel filler and fuel gauge, and by the engine identifier digit in the VIN.

As of 2005, most existing vehicles that are available to the public with flex-fuel engines are sport-utility vehicles or others in the "light truck" class. Sedans, station wagon, and others are usually only available in flexible-fuel configurations as part of Fleet vehicles vehicle purchases by companies. Starting in 2006, though, more widespread availability is planned for standard models intended for non-fleet sales.

A 1988 federal law provides an incentive for creating flexible fuel vehicles in the form of credits that can be used to relax Corporate Average Fuel Economy fuel efficiency standards. It is alleged that this efficiency relaxation has decreased overall US fleet efficiency, thereby resulting in increased nationwide fuel consumption. Alternative fuel vehicles are eligible for tax credits until 2010 of up to $4000.http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax_afv.shtmlttp://consumerist.com/consumer/vehicles/september-is-last-month-to-qualify-for-hybrid-vehicle-tax-credit-296360.php Individual states are also offering their own rebates.http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/income09.html

Over 4 million flexible-fuel vehicles are currently operated on the road in America, although a 2002 study found that less than 1% of fuel consumed by these vehicles is E85. The Center for American Progress released a study in 2007 that showed how many flex-fuel cars were in each state and how many E85 fuel pumps were in each state.

Recently US companies are offering products, originally developed in Brazil, that will convert gasoline-only, fuel-injected vehicles to flex-fuel vehicles. Typical conversion packages include an electronic device to increase injected fuel volume per cycle (because of the lower energy content of ethanol) and in some cases a chemical treatment to protect the engine from corrosion. Products include AutoFFV from Abcesso, and Flex-Tek from XCelPlus.

Flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil Since the oil crisis in the 70's, Brazil has been selling ethanol as a fuel. Car manufacturers modified gasoline engines to support ethanol characteristics (Changes are on compression ratio, amount of fuel injected, replacement of materials that would get corroded by the contact with ethanol, use of colder spark plugs suitable for dissipating heat due to higher flame temperatures, and an auxiliary cold-start system that injects gasoline from a small tank in the engine compartment to help starting when cold) and have been selling ethanol powered cars since then. However, flexible fuel technology started being developed only on the end of the 90's. The flexible fuel car is built with an ethanol ready engine and one fuel tank. The oxygen sensor, used to measure the quality of combustion in conventional engines, is also required to tell the ECU which blend of gasoline and alcohol is being burnt. So, the controller regulates the amount of fuel injected and spark time: fuel flow needs to be decreased and also self-combustion needs to be avoided when gasoline is used (because ethanol engines have compression ratio around 12:1, too high for gasoline). Those cars can run with arbitrary combinations of gasoline and alcohol (can use both fuels sold in Brazil -- ethanol or gasoline with a blend of 20-25% ethanol - pure or blended in any proportion).

In May 2003 Volkswagen built for the first time a production flexible fuel car, the Volkswagen Gol 1.6 Total Flex. Chevrolet followed two months later with the General Motors Corsa 1.8 Flexpower, using an engine developed by a joint-venture with Fiat called PowerTrain.

As of 2005, popular manufacturers that build flexible fuel vehicles are Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, Peugeot, Renault ,Volkswagen, Honda, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Citröen. Flexible fuel cars were 22% of the car sales in 2004, 73% in 2005 , and 75% and 90% rates are estimated for 2006 and 2007.

There's another type of flexible fuel vehicle that is not uncommon in Brazil. Those are the cars able to switch from gasoline to compressed natural gas. The term "flex-fuel", however is never used to describe those cars; instead, they are called bi-fueled vehicleshttp://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/afv/conversion101.htmlor tri-fueled if they are built with an ethanol-gasoline flexible fuel engine (and tetra-fueled if they can run on pure gasoline). These vehicles are always adapted in specialized houses after they are bought. In many capitals, natural gas shares a small part of the fuel market with gasoline and ethanol. It has the advantages of having government incentives for cars with such systems, like annual tax reduction, and being the cheaper cost-per-mile in the country. The disadvantages are a slight reduction of engine power, the small number of gas stations that have this fuel available, having the lowest mileage and the space needed for the cylinder (normally one or two) installation, normally taking up a good amount of space in the trunk.

Trucks and pickups are mostly diesel powered and there's no project on conversion to some kind of flexible fuel system. Instead the tendency is to replace regular diesel with bio-diesel. The currently allowed mixture is 98% diesel and 2% bio-diesel. The mixture of 95% diesel and 5% bio-diesel will become a requirement only in 2013.

FIAT has introduced in 2006 the FIAT Siena Tetra fuel, which can run on 100% ethanol, E25 (Brazil's common gasoline mixture of 75% gasoline and 25% ethanol), pure gasoline (not available in Brazil) and natural gas. Fiat to Launch Tetra-fuel Siena in Brazil - NGV Global

Flex Fuel Vehicles to be imported from Brazil. California automobile distributor ZAP, has agreed to be the exclusive North American distributor and has pre-purchased 50,000 cars from Brazilian automotive maker OBVIO!. The first models scheduled to go into production are the flex-fueled Obvio! 828 and Obvio! 012 in 2007, soon to be followed by the 828E and 012E equipped with electric drive systems. Models are expected to be available in Canada and the United States in late 2008.

Flexible-fuel vehicles in Europe For a long time Ford Taurus was the only flexible-fuel vehicle sold in Sweden. It was later replaced by Ford Focus. In 2005 Saab began selling its Saab 9-5 (joined in 2006 by its 9-5 2.3 Biopower), and Volvo its Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 with flexible-fuel engines.In 2007, Saab also started selling a BioPower version of its popular Saab 9-3 line. The Saab-derived Cadillac BLS will also be available with E85 compatible engines in 2008.

There are also plans of selling E85 fuel, and then some flexible-fuel vehicles, in other European countries:- In October 2005, the Ford Focus FFV became the first flexible-fuel vehicle to be commercially sold in Ireland. E-85 is available throughout a limited number of Maxol service stations in the Republic. Redesigned Ford C-MAX FFV may be sold there in 2007.- Ford offers the Focus (all three models) since August 2005 in Germany. Ford is about to offer also the Mondeo and other models as FFV versions between 2007 and 2010.- Renault and PSA (Citroen & Peugeot) announced to start selling FFV cars from summer 2007.

The Koenigsegg CCXR is currently the fastest and most powerful flexible fuel vehicle with its twin-supercharged V8 producing 1018hp when running on biofuel (compared to 806hp on 91 Octane rating (US) unleaded gasoline).

List of currently-produced flexible fuel vehicles Worldwide

2008

2007

2006

2004 - 2005

2002 - 2004

2002 - 2003

2001

1999 and 2000

Many 1995-98 Taurus 3.0L Sedans are also FFVs

Note: * denotes fleet purchase only

Europe

United States

Brazil

See also

References

External links



 

Flexible Fuel Engine



 
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