-
Step 1
Check the owner's manual for your current vehicle or contact the manufacturer to determine whether it can run with ethanol fuel and what the recommended maximum amount should be. Many gas stations already sell 10 or 15 percent mixed fuel, but E85 contains a whooping 85 percent of ethanol. Your car's performance and gas mileage may change with the mixed fuels.
-
Step 2
Weigh the cost of converting your car to ethanol versus buying a flex-fuel car. In some older models, it may be cheaper just to buy a new car. Identify how much you want to spend versus how much you enjoy your current car.
-
Step 3
Decide whether you want to give up performance to reduce emissions. Since ethanol provides less power than gasoline, your car may not have the same kick. For some, the benefits of helping reduce harmful emissions outweigh the extra boost in power from gasoline.
-
Step 4
Project the cost of using ethanol. A gallon of ethanol produces less power than a gallon of gasoline, so you may need more ethanol to fuel your car. However, some cars seem to have better gas mileage with ethanol.
-
Step 5
Identify fueling stations in your neighborhood. No matter how beneficial ethanol may be, if it is not convenient for you to fill your tank, then the inconvenience outweighs the advantages. Luckily, most flex-fuel cars run on gasoline as well.
-
Step 6
Look into all types of alternative fuels--biodiesel, electricity and hydrogen--when making your decision on ethanol. With technology rapidly changing and new fuel sources emerging, you should look at all the choices available.
