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Flex fuel

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by grandmabetty, Aug 20, 2020.

  1. Aug 20, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #1
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    Will be getting a 2021 tundra TRD OR. Can anyone tell me if the engines are still offered in flex fuel? I DO NOT want a flex fuel. Ive read people saying they don't have a flex fuel. If flex fuel is still offered how can I avoid it? Whats the best way to determine if a vehicle is flex fuel or not?

    Thanks
     
  2. Aug 20, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    #2
    Justin Case

    Justin Case New Member

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    Used to matter what region you were in. Not sure anymore. Got a 4wd non flex in TX last year. Used to only be able to get flex 4wd i GST.

    Check sticker under hood. You want a 3UR-FE for non flex. 3UR-FBE is flex. Can also tell by VIN. Not sure which digit though.
     
  3. Aug 20, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #3
    Blueknights75

    Blueknights75 040 IS THE FASTEST

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    Check the gas cap....the gas cap will advise E85 or will have a line going through E85 which means non flex fuel
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2020
    SomeGuy4 and NewImprovedRon like this.
  4. Aug 20, 2020 at 6:37 PM
    #4
    timdske

    timdske Another Old Guy

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    Any particular reason you don't want Flex fuel? I've had 3 vehicles with Flex including my 19 Tundra. I've never had an issue. You can run regular fuel.
     
  5. Aug 20, 2020 at 6:58 PM
    #5
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    Have just read of them causing more problems then the non flex fuel engine and if I can avoid it I will. A quick search produced some results. Im sure there is more out there.

    https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/do-not-buy-flex-fuel-ffv-5-7l-v8-motor.329874/page-2

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/ugg-i-bought-a-flex-fuel-truck.2468/

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2016-tundra-5-7-liter-v8-4wd-ffv-issues.5812/
     
  6. Aug 20, 2020 at 7:24 PM
    #6
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Pretty sure the flex fuel engines were dropped for the 2020+ model years.
     
  7. Aug 20, 2020 at 7:25 PM
    #7
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    I thought I had read that too but now I can't find where. Thanks
     
  8. Aug 20, 2020 at 7:31 PM
    #8
    CDinSeFl

    CDinSeFl New Member

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    Great info. Can't wait to g out and check in the AM.
     
  9. Aug 20, 2020 at 7:34 PM
    #9
    twistedcricket

    twistedcricket New Member

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    Causing what problems? Slightly worse MPGs?
    or did you plan to put a supercharger on it?
    the third link you posted have more comments where it's not an issue. The tundratalks has it, but for Gen2, or older models than a 2020/21.
    I have 2014 ffv, I tow with it. No issues, close to 91,000 miles (I bought it use with 32,000)
     
  10. Aug 20, 2020 at 7:39 PM
    #10
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    I have no evidence and im not a mechanic. Like I've said I've run across comments stating some believe the FFV causes issues that don't exist in the non FFV. Ill never use E85 so I have no reason to get a FFV. Maybe its just gossip that means nothing but if I can avoid a potential issue by choosing not to buy an engine I have no plans on using for its designed purpose then I will.
     
  11. Aug 20, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #11
    Black@Blue19

    Black@Blue19 Old Salt

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    To much to list:)
    Not one problem nor have I heard of any troubles?? I don’t even know where you can buy e85??
     
  12. Aug 20, 2020 at 8:41 PM
    #12
    Justin Case

    Justin Case New Member

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    A while ago it was a bigger issue. It was why I ended up with a 2wd in TX, chose 2wd just becuase it was the only way to get a non flex.

    Havent heard much about it recently. Not sure why Toyota made them but even Toyota knew no one wanted them. They quit putting flex emblems on trucks and made it the only engine you could get in a 4wd in GST. IIRC, GST is one of two privately owned distributors so Toyota didnt even want to be bothered selling them themselves.

    No reason to get flex if you dont have to.
     
  13. Aug 21, 2020 at 6:05 AM
    #13
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    From what I read a couple years back, the problem with Toyota's Tundra FFV version was inability of the ECU to accurately determine the percentage ethanol in the fuel and resulting bogus fuel trim settings. This raised heck with the way the engine ran, codes, etc. I haven't seen anything about the problem recently. If you had a flex fuel issue, it was a bfd. Dealers were having limited success with reflashing the ECU. I guess Toyota decided it wasn't worth the problems.
     
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  14. Aug 21, 2020 at 6:17 AM
    #14
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    You must have alot of patience to wait for a 2021...
     
  15. Aug 21, 2020 at 6:19 AM
    #15
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    Been planning to make this purchase since 2017. Just wanted to wait for my boat loan to be paid off. Almost there
     
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  16. Aug 21, 2020 at 6:22 AM
    #16
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    Fun fun. You definitely have some patience. They are still building 2020's and haven't even started the 21's yet. :eek:
     
  17. Aug 21, 2020 at 6:33 AM
    #17
    00Tyler10

    00Tyler10 WETT Expeditions

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    i got a 2020 platinum without it by luck. Didnt even notice till i went to the pump for the first time. Saw the cap and thought “well dang, guess I will supercharge it”
     
    twistedcricket likes this.
  18. Aug 21, 2020 at 8:17 AM
    #18
    twistedcricket

    twistedcricket New Member

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    I must be lucky. I've used E85 a couple of times and never had an issue. It's not worth the "savings" unless it's something like 30% cheaper than the cheapest non-ethanol. Right now, it's within a nickel per gallon. I think it's only widely available in the midwest (IN/IL/WI/IA/MN/NE/KS?) ..at least that's where I've seen it. I haven't seen it on my roadtrips out west.
     
  19. Aug 24, 2020 at 5:49 AM
    #19
    Jeffro22

    Jeffro22 New Member

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    My 2013 flex fuel tundra always reads incorrect alcohol content

    shows really high alcohol content even though I am running regular pump gas (10% ethanol)
     
  20. Aug 24, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #20
    17inferno

    17inferno New Member

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    I have a 17 flex fuel 5.7. Once in a while I’ll use E85 just for kicks and I personally never had a hiccup. However I prefer regular fuel, so I’m not recommending it, just saying no issues. Also it’s not a price thing, it’s more of a ... hmm, let’s try this again, thing.
     
  21. Aug 24, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #21
    DSLKSL

    DSLKSL New Member

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    Jeffro22, My 2016 did the same thing, I took it in and showed the dealership. They reset it is was reading 0 or 8% for like six months then went back to 33% I took it back showed the service tech who worked on it and they order me the new fuel pump. After waiting for a month or two for all the parts they installed them, flashed the ECU and no more issues.
     
  22. Aug 24, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #22
    matttowns509

    matttowns509 New Member

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    Buy a TRD PRO. I don't think it's an option.
    :monocle:
     
  23. Aug 24, 2020 at 9:11 AM
    #23
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    It's not an option on any 2020+ Tundras.
     
  24. Aug 24, 2020 at 9:14 AM
    #24
    matttowns509

    matttowns509 New Member

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    Good to know! I was just more having fun over all. Thanks for the heads up.
     
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  25. Aug 24, 2020 at 9:17 AM
    #25
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Fun is important too!
     
    matttowns509[QUOTED] likes this.
  26. Aug 24, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #26
    ZPMAN

    ZPMAN 2nd place is the 1st looser

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    When looking to buy my 16 I could have gotten a non flex from the Dakotas, then about that time Magnuson said they have a supercharger for FFV Tundra. If I had to do it over I would go non flex because it is just one more issue that can give you problems later and just the 10% ethanol alone has given me headaches with anything using rubber in the fuel systems. Just my .02 cents
     
  27. Aug 26, 2020 at 4:20 AM
    #27
    Jeffro22

    Jeffro22 New Member

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    Thanks for info. Kind of what I was thinking. Sounds like the re-flash is temporary without replacing the fuel pump

    Since tank has to be dropped to real estate I have Been keeping my eyes open for a used 38 gallon tank - Soon as I find one will probably swap out fuel pump (assuming one is even available)
     
  28. Aug 28, 2020 at 8:56 AM
    #28
    grandmabetty

    grandmabetty [OP] New Member

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    I emailed toyota and asked if flex fuel engines are offered on 2020 tundras and will they be offered on 2021. They replied with the following:


    "We appreciate you allowing us the opportunity to assist you with your inquiry.

    Flex fuel engines are available for the 2020 Toyota Tundra. We apologize as information on the 2021 Tundra is currently unavailable. Toyota will release information such as styling, specifications, features and options closer to the launch date. We currently do not have a tentative release date."
     
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