What are the conditions for converting my car to Superethanol E85?
By Bardahl • The 9/21/2021 • 5 min reading
To drive on bioethanol, you have two options: invest in a new vehicle originally equipped to run on Superethanol E85 or install an approved conversion box on your gasoline engine vehicle (hybrid or not). As you can see, if you drive on diesel, you can unfortunately forget about converting to Superethanol.
Factory equipped vehicles
In France, Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford offer some so-called "flex fuel" models as standard. As soon as they leave the factory, these specific models can therefore accommodate E85 in the tank, without any adaptation. However, we still advise you, for regular maintenance, to use the Bardahl Superethanol Injector Cleaner and Superethanol Treatment.
Other manufacturers such as Renault and Dacia have offered "flex fuel" vehicles as standard in the past. To avoid paying the price of new, you can therefore also turn to the second-hand market.
Convert my vehicle
1. As explained above, to convert your vehicle to Superethanol E85, the first condition is that it is equipped with a gasoline engine.
2. Next, you need to check that the vehicle is compatible.
Generally, vehicles produced after 2000 are approved but not all manufacturers of approved boxes can ensure proper operation on all engines. You can find them here: https://www.bioethanolcarburant.com/comment-rouler-au-superethanol-e85/les-installers-agreeds-de-boitiers-bioethanol/
3. If your vehicle is compatible, you can then equip it with a state-approved conversion box. Go to an approved professional installer.
This box is essential because, to burn, E85 (which contains approximately 65% ethanol in winter and 85% ethanol in summer) requires less air than conventional gasoline (which contains 5 to 10% ethanol). In concrete terms, the electronic box therefore allows the engine to inject the right amount of fuel depending on the proportion of ethanol present in the tank. A probe measures this proportion of ethanol. And as indicated above, the higher this proportion, the more the box will increase the quantity of fuel to be injected. This is also why a car powered by Superethanol E85 consumes more than a car running on SP95 or SP98.
It is essential that the box is approved because many boxes sold over the counter on the web at knockdown prices simply do not work. Beware of scams and go to an approved professional installer.
4. Don’t forget to change the registration document
When a vehicle changes its energy source to move, the modification of the registration document is mandatory. It allows you to avoid any problem with insurance, technical inspection or even in the event of sale of the vehicle and therefore, change of owner. It also allows you to benefit from the guarantees assumed by the approved installer. The certificate of conformity provided by the installer will allow you to carry out the modification of the registration document free of charge and with complete peace of mind.
More info: https://www.bioethanolcarburant.com/how-to-drive-superethanol-e85/step-5-how-to-modify-my-registration-card-after-having-installed-an-e85-approved-box/
5. Don’t forget the Bardahl Superethanol Injector Cleaner and Superethanol Treatment for regular maintenance.