I have a HCH I (2005) that I average 54 MPG in mostly highway miles. Today gas in my town was getting in short supply due to panicky people (thanks, Ike!) and I was going to fill up here anyway for a long trip north this weekend.
The tank was half full anyway, and for a moment I considered topping it with E85 as it was over $1 cheaper than 87.
Eventually logic won out and I went with good ol' 87.
So, the question is, would it have hurt to go with the E85 for just this once?
I remembered somewhere here a long-term test was in progress with E85 in an HCH but I can't find the thread.
Thanks!
Ahab

I thought you gotta have a special car that says flex 85 to put E85 gaz. I didn't know that you car put E85 in a civic.

I didn't read the article, but I will not put a onze of that fuel into a civic.

Let me know if I'm wrong.

The gaz is a dollar cheaper because is largely sponsors by the gouvernment because that way we can reduce our dependence on dyno fuel from other country.

Right you are FanFaron!
All Hondas (really all gas cars that are not explicitly E-85 (or "FlexFuel") can burn only 10% ethanol. No more... So essentially we're "E10"

From the manual:
In you case of topping off, the mix-down will help dilute the ethanol, but I would only do that in case of dire emergency (value of driving away > value of damage to car)

My 2¢ for you.

06 HAH: Four-passenger, stop-n-go, schoolbus-commute.

I'll echo that.
A few of our Green Hybrid members HAVE experimented with higher than E10, but I think going much higher requires a mechanical device to"fool" the car's electronics, or else the car doesn't run right (or maybe not at all!). I would only use higher than E10 in an absolute emergency myself.
Also, the lower MPG makes the difference in price often about a wash. Certainly don't use it to "save money". I believe the risks are just too high.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

Yeah, I would stay away as other have suggested. E85 would require some changes to your car in order to handle that.

This is a photo of an unmodified Prius:


60,000 MILE PRIUS REPORT FROM CARLSON TOYOTA
These are the findings from the 60,000 mile service performed
on Roger Aiken's Prius. I found that the engine was in extremely
clean condition. I removed the valve cover to inspect
the upper portion of the engine and I feel that it was cleaner
than a normal gas operated engine. I also removed the injectors
and inspected them and found that the deposits were less
than a normal gas operated Prius. The Engine oil has always
been noticeably cleaner when I change the oil. The same findings
were on the spark plugs, they had hardly any deposits on
them. I would have to say other than the smell (which I am
not used to yet) the E85 operated Prius is cleaner than a gas operated one.

Michael Ahlers, Master Diagnostic Technician, Carlson Toyota.

Link is here: http://www.creedproject.org/stream_v11n1.pdf

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best Interstate tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain. Aug. 2007

Best Interstate tank trip E30 MPG 34.6 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio. May 2008

Best multiple road tank trip E30 MPG 36.2 for 202 miles in Southwestern Pa. July 2008.

Any car on the road can use more than 10% ethanol.
Most can use up to 40% without any modifications to the car.
Most cars on the road, not just "flex fuel" can burn E85 with slight modifications.
However, the performance MPG wise will decrease.
E85 fuel should be priced 25% lower to be price competitive with gas.

It will take the car from 30 minutes, to a few hours to completely adjust to the proper air-fuel ratios. Some cars "learn" quicker than others.