Determining the correct blend of E85 (a fuel containing 51% to 83% ethanol) and 93 octane gasoline requires careful calculation to achieve a desired octane rating or ethanol content. Online tools and mobile applications provide this functionality, typically requiring users to input the desired ethanol percentage or octane target, along with the quantity of each fuel type available. For example, a user might specify they have five gallons of 93 octane gasoline and want to achieve a 50% ethanol blend. The calculator would then determine the necessary amount of E85 required.
Precise fuel mixture calculations are crucial for several reasons. Optimized blends can maximize engine performance, particularly in vehicles designed for flex-fuel or high-performance applications. Correctly calculating ethanol content helps prevent potential engine damage from using overly high concentrations of ethanol in vehicles not designed for it. Additionally, understanding the resulting blend’s octane rating ensures the fuel meets the engine’s requirements, preventing knock and maximizing power output. This practice has gained relevance with the increasing availability and usage of E85 as an alternative fuel source.