What is an FFV?

FAQs About FFVs

Of the many monikers given to modern cars, one abbreviation you may find is “FFV.” Though not as common, or heavily advertised, as they were in the past, FFVs can still be found on used lots. They may come up in the occasional climate discussion. What exactly is an FFV?

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When referring to a car, the letters FFV stand for “Flexible-Fuel Vehicle.” Other monikers for FFVs are “Flex-Fuel Vehicle,” or “Dual-Fuel Vehicle.” Flex-Fuel Vehicles are designed to run on both gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends of up to 85% ethanol. You’ve probably seen “E85” designated fuel around; FFVs are the vehicles that fuel is made for.

What fuel is used in an FFV?

FFVs can be filled with either regular gas or E85 fuel; both work fine. An FFV does not experience any performance loss when operating on E85. In fact, some FFVs experience increased horsepower and/or torque with the blend. However, fuel-economy unavoidably drops when using E85, as this mixture has typically 15% to 27% less energy-per-gallon than typical gas.

Any other questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. 

How many vehicles are FFVs?

More than one hundred models of FFVs are available these days; they’ve been produced since the 1990s. It can be hard to tell an FFV by looking at it, as they generally look no different from gasoline-only models.

How can I tell if my vehicle is an FFV?

Typical signs used to designate an FFV include a yellow gas cap or yellow fuel-filler ring. The practice of including this began in 2008 for most automakers.

There may also be a label on the fuel door that indicates E85 fuel can be used. Some FFVs have a badge on the vehicle body that says something related to FFV, E85, or Flex-Fuel. A final option would be to check your Owner’s Manual. If you don’t have a physical Owner’s Manual, it can likely be found online through a Google search.

 

Benefits of Buying A Certified Pre-Owned Toyota

Ever wonder what the difference is between a pre-owned vehicle and a certified pre-owned vehicle? You see the sign advertising that the car you’re looking at is “certified pre owned” but what does that actually mean? Is it worth the extra cost? The short answer is yes but let’s explore why.

 

First off a certified pre owned car is a vehicle that has been through an intense and deliberate inspection by a Toyota trained technician. This is to ensure that any problems with the car are fixed BEFORE it goes on the market. Any recalls, manufacture flaws or other problems will be addressed and fixed before the car leaves the lot. So when purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle you are assured that the car has been properly and thoroughly inspected and maintained to fit today’s top safety standards.

 

Second, when purchasing a certified pre-owned car you are instantly purchasing a vehicle with some much needed add ons. For example if you purchase a certified pre-owned Toyota vehicle it automatically comes with a one-year / 12,000 mile warranty form the day you purchase the car. Certified Toyota’s even come with one year roadside assistance which can really save you in a bind. Not certified pre-owned cars will typically carry out the original warranty that came with the vehicle but those are most often expired by the time the car has been resold.

 

So is it worth it to purchase a certified pre-owned Toyota? Yes! Though vehicles made by Toyota are meant to be reliable and last longer than ever, having an extended warranty as well as a year of free roadside assistance is well worth the minimal additional cost. The multi point inspection a certified pre-owned vehicle goes through also insures that there will be no immediate problems with the car and will put your mind at ease for a long time to come.
Check out our entire selection of pre-owned and certified pre-owned cars today.

 

The 6 Best Used Toyotas to Buy

The Japanese automaker Toyota has held on to the top spot for largest automaker in the world, with Ford and Volkswagen competing for the title. Toyota has managed to hold the title because they produce a large volume of long-lasting, reliable cars. If you’re thinking about shopping for a pre-owned vehicle, you will want to consider these Toyota models.

Yaris

Toyota’s subcompact makes the list for remaining competitive in affordability and fuel economy while retaining its resale value. Compared to the competition, it’s already priced about $1,000 below other subcompacts when new, which lends to the resale price. Thought not a sporty or aggressive car, it’s ideal for a student in high school or heading off to college.

Should I Buy a Used Car from the Dealer or a Private Seller?

The process of buying a new car often leads to many questions, with one of the first being “should I buy from a dealer or a private party?” This is the question you need to answer before you start shopping. To help you make a more informed decision, check out the following list of pros and cons.

Regulations

One of the scariest things about buying a used car is the unknown issues. You could visit a private party and thoroughly look over a car, but without having it checked out by a mechanic, you might miss something important. However, dealerships are held to strict regulations. This means that unlike a private party who can sell you a car “as is” and not have to answer to problems that surface, a dealership has stringent regulations and policies that protect the consumer.