Are GAS engines better than FLEXIBLE FUEL engines?

Did you just.... ?....

 

Reading through this thread is interesting and if you just replace the FFV/non-FFV with one of the other manufactures/tundra and sounds like the thing we all go through daily.

Seriously though if you have strong feelings as some with the whole ethanol deal then search out a non-ffv and fly out and drive it back and enjoy it . If it is not a deal breaker for ffv then find a good dealer locally and pick it up and enjoy it.

Remember both engines are made by Toyota so we know they are damn good and dependable.

GL with whatever you decide to go with.

 

Cheap insurance for a very expensive machine IMO..

 

No doubt if given a choice you should choose the non-ffv. But I wouldn't fly across the country or something to go get it. @Sunnier, when you find your 4x4 inferno... just jump on it. Whether it's FFV or not.

 

Mine is Flex and this bissshhh runs like a champ!!!! Burn outs for 30 feet !!!! #PowerForDays #FlexinInANoFlexZone!!!

 

I've now had both and can't tell the difference in how they drive, pull, mpg's, etc. I don't think you can go wrong either way, as long as you stay away from E85.

 

Ditto^^^^. E85=

 

Hi...sorry if this was answered (I didn't see it), but let me ask a simpler version of the topic.

If you never have or will run E85, what other reason would there be for the service interval to be 5000 versus 10000 in a non-FFV?
(Assume we are ok with the 10000 mile interval on the non-FFV)

Thanks.

 

I guess because Toyota hasn't changed the interval yet as it is spelled out in their letter. Will it hurt your engine? Probably not, it might be an issue when you try to invoke your 5/60 powertrain warranty and you didn't get the oil changed every 5K miles. Better safe than sorry.

 

For sure. 5000 miles for me. It was more of a hypothetical...seems more like a CYA at this point.

 

Thank you all for answering up!

I guess I watch our bureaucracy in action and am concerned that someday, within the 30 years I plan to run this (or the replacement 2017 4x4) Tundra, we'll lose the option to run gas. I'm trying to guess whether it'll be better to have a gas engine, so I cannot be made to use E85 in an engine built to tolerate it, during whatever phase-in period happens... or if there'll come a day when I'd have to put the Tundra down because only alternative fuels are allowed... at which point, I'll wish I'd bought the FFV option. Paranoid, I know, but....

I meant no offense. I also said "principle", and was referring to exactly the points you mentioned in your post. I just was admitting that I "feel" such strong "emotions" about these legislated mandates and subsidies that it made me not want to learn anything positive about FFV options.

Good find!!

Thanks, Joon! The answer I was really looking for.

 

I have FFV. I guess I am going to have to point out to the dealer at next service that they need to change oil every 5k. I don't think they know that.

 

They should know as soon as they enter the VIN on the service ticket. But I will do the same when I take mine in for the first oil change; let them know that I know so they can't cheap out.

 

Hi sunnier, I have a 17 SR5 TRD 4x4. Non flex fuel. I specifically did not want flex fuel. I got mine in El Centro. It’s about an hour and half east of you. Rogers and Rogers.

 

Hey Sunnier no offense taken! just a subject I feel very strongly about.

My truck is non FFV and I DIY oil changes at 5k. I see (heck I wear) the oil that comes out with 5k miles on it and I'd rather it wasn't in there any longer than that.

 

Yes, they should. My service writer DOES know, but the service admin does not...when I schedule the appointment, I just do it online because when I called, the service admin was trying to talk me out of it...mine is FFV, so I go in for oil change at 5K or 6 months.

 

Same at my dealer.

 

It's a contagen unfortunately found at most dealers...

 

Yeah, I made her put it in the comments. Fortunately my Service Writer is a really cool guy and seems to be very knowledgeable.

 

That certainly helps a lot. Makes all the difference.

 

My previous truck (non-Toyota) was a Flex Fuel vehicle. I ran into two major issues.

First, if you run E-85 and disconnect the battery, all of the readiness monitors go to Not Ready and will not reset to Ready as long as you're running E-85. This affects some older Toyotas, I don't know about the new ones. No one knew this, not the dealer, not the mechanics, and not the emissions people at the state office. After some very expensive work at the mechanic (replacing the ECM, various sensors, and a lot of driving) it finally passed after the mechanic had to refill the tank and used regular gas. I don't blame the mechanic, you can't fix it if no one will tell you it might be a problem. I finally found a document on the EPA website that detailed the issue. It's since been removed. I'll attach the copy I saved to this message.

Second, the E85 sensor went out. The price was around $450 from the dealer, slightly less online. I opted to replace it with a bypass module for $150. This tricked the engine into thinking it was running regular (20% ethanol or less) gas at all times. I was fed up with E-85 at that point and probably wouldn't have used it if it was free. The issue cost far more than any savings.

 

What savings? If E85 is cheaper the diff will be offset by lower MPGs.

 

We were spending a lot at the grocery store, the rewards points lowered the price. It made a difference overall considering the difference in the initial price.

 

I filled up my non FF yesterday with pure 100 % dino gas for $2.63.....I'm happy.

 

My service writer actually remembers things we talk about and asks me to let him know how it worked out (example is the IBC software update) and the installation of my Pro shocks.

 

Mine's not FFV but I'm in Canada.

 

Excellent thread & discussion - subscribed!

 

I believe all tundras in Canada are non FF, i have no source for that though.

 

I looked for over a year before purchasing my 2015, and never saw a non-FFV. I live in Illinois and searched Nation wide. Maybe because I was just looking for 2015 4x4 CM, maybe they come in diff models. Anyway I would never put E-85 in mine.