Can My Car Use E85? How to Tell if You Have a Flex-Fuel Vehicle

How to check your vehicle

fueleconomy.gov, run for the US Department of Energy and the EPA, lists these ways to tell if a vehicle is flex-fuel:

• A yellow gas cap. Most makers have used one on flex-fuel vehicles since model year 2008, and GM since 2006.
• A yellow ring around the opening, if your car has a capless fuel filler.
• A label inside the fuel door.
• An “E85”, “FlexFuel” or “FFV” badge on the vehicle.
• Your owner’s manual.

If your car is not flex-fuel

E85 is not approved for use in gasoline-only vehicles, according to the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. Use the fuel your owner’s manual calls for.

Two lower blends are a different story. E10 (up to 10% ethanol) is approved for all gasoline vehicles. E15 (10.5% to 15% ethanol) is approved for cars, light trucks and SUVs from model year 2001 and newer. Many stations on this site also sell E15; we show it on each listing when the station locator lists it.

Blender pump blends are for flex-fuel vehicles too

Some stations sell mid-level blends like E25 or E30 from a blender pump. The Alternative Fuels Data Center notes these blends must be labeled for flex-fuel vehicles only. See our guide: what is a blender pump.