So this website (see link below) shows that 2003 Dakotas with the 4.7 V8 and the 8th digit of the VIN being an N are e85 compatible. I bought a 2003 so I'd have the option to use e85 if I chose to. I know about the less mileage, etc. etc. but I'd like to at least try it as I mostly drive my truck around town. My question is, why isn't this talked about more for the 2003's? I can't really find any posts or other sites that talk about this. My truck didn't come with a manula so I've ordered one don't have it yet. Is there anything in the manual that mentions using e85 in an 03? Also, why are 2003's the only ones besides 07 and 08 that will handle the e85? Other years have the 4.7 and N as the 8th digit so why just 2003? Anyone have more info on this? Thanks

http://www.e85fuel.com/information/chrysler_ffvs.xls

 

Well, I just went straight to the sources to answer my question on if my truck will take E85. I asked both the Executive Director of the National Ethanol Coalition and Dodge. The answer from both of them was that my truck will run on E85!! I've posted their responses below. So all of you 2003 4.7 V8 Dakota owners with an N as the 8th digit of your VIN can run E85 according to these guys.I'd suggest sending them your VIN to make sure. I'm curious as to what my mileage will be on E85. I just drive around town a couple of miles a day. I hope this helps some people!

E85:
"According to all the information that we were provided by Chrysler, your vehicle was designed to be able to operate on E85. My suggestion is to put in about a ¼ of a tank and then go to ½ tank and so on…….This should allow you to determine if it is really an FFV. If the check engine soon light comes on, discontinue use of E85."

Phillip Lampert, Executive Director

National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition

DODGE:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
regarding your 2003 Dodge Dakota.

We have reviewed your recent email. In response to your email, we would
like are glad to inform you that your vehicle is E85 compatible.

If we can be of any assistance to you in the future, please feel free to
contact us. We appreciate you and your business.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,

John Cooper

Customer Service Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
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i forget where i saw it but there are actually a good amount of dodge vehicles that can run on e85 i know that 2002 and newer caravans can i saw it on the gas cap of ours one time that it said e85 compatible and was like what. im guessing it wouldnt hurt to try it. my friend that i dont really believe because he thinks he knows everything said once you goto e85 you can't go back i dont believe him but can anyone back me up that you can switch between the two if your vehicle is compatible with both?

 

So i am confused what is the determining part(s) that allow a vehicle to run on E85 ethanol. why couldn't you just throw it in your truck.

 

I believe it has something to do with if your engine components that come in contact with the fuel in anyway are made of aluminum, the E85 is more corrosive than gasoline and will eat the aluminum. That's what I was told.

 

I have a 03 with the 4.7 and my manuel says nothing about being able to use E85.

I thought somewhere that the "N" in the eight position of the vin is for enigne size. If the 03 Ram with the 4.7 can use E85, then maybe.

So who is first to try this?

It does me a lot of good, I don't think I can get E85 in my part of Houston. Never seen it.

James

 

I'm going to try it as soon as I need to fill up. If Dodge told me it's ok and I keep that email response, I can't go wrong. They wouldn't tell me something like that and risk bad info. If anything really bad would happen, I have the email as proof that they told me it was ok.

But that's what I wondered. Why doesn't the manual or gas cap say anything about it? I think it's a nice little secret that makes the resale value of an 03 with a 4.7 go up. I'll post once I've used it for a little bit to report my findings. As I said, I usually only drive around town a mile or 2 at a time so it's going to be hard to gauge my mileage.

 

Well, I still had a 1/4 tank of 87 but I filled the rest up with E85 today. I've driven less than 5 miles but can't tell a bit of difference in the way it runs. I'll see what my mileage is compared to what I was getting. I'll keep you posted but so far so good.

 

interesting... there is a thread over on vwvortex http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3866545 on running e85, basiclly converting a non e85 to be able to run it. IIRC 40% more fuel was needed. it's been a while since I read the thread but it might be good for some interesting reading...

 

My personal opinion is that E85 sucks. We had a minivan (wife's) that could run on it, so I gave it a shot. True didn't notice much diff in the way it ran and the E85 was about .12 a gallon cheaper, but my mileage dropped like almost 20%. After I ran the numbers I was spending less per gallon, but more per tank. E85 is a marketing ploy, again this is just my opinion, but the facts are as stated.