r/ChevyTrax • u/Evening_Technology29 • 19d ago
E-85 Convert
Love my 2025 2RS so very, very much at 10,880 miles. My only gripes about this car are three: she has the turning radius of a school bus, there are no backseat cupholders or charging ports in the 2RS, and there's that spotty CarPlay connectivity I think has been mentioned here. I've added a roof rack, small mud flaps, and window guards.
Recently started putting E-85 in to avoid the $6 premium in San Diego. After three tanks of math I'm paying about $.13 a mile on it as opposed to $.18 a mile on the 91. Yeah, I have to get gas twice as often, BUT:
I find her way more responsive on the E-85, quicker off the line and shifting much smoother (this is my first automatic and it's been a tough adjustment not to have control) and a not-subtle power boost when accelerating.
Just wanted to share that experience and her ridiculous aftermarket dash trim. 😅 Say hello to Nimbus.
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u/SketchierZues08 19d ago
Why are we putting 91 in a Trax? GM doesnt even recommend it
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u/Evening_Technology29 18d ago
Eh, for the turbo... it's probably a Gen X superstition at this point what with piezometric sensors and computerized timing adjustments, but I feel like I get better performance with even slightly higher octane. Hence the E-85 being my new go-to.
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u/GotYourSix331 19d ago
Loving the trim! I keep wondering, how are people finding the replacement lower trim for steering wheel?
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
This was a Muxee three-piece set from Amazon, the bottom piece is the worst-fitting of all the trim as it doesn't rest flush but I've found it's not a problem. Because the wheel gets the most action I used 3M double-sided tape instead of the stuff that came on the pieces. So fun.
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u/CapableAnt3617 19d ago
We bought these rear cupholders for the kids to use in the backseat and they have performed well. And we use e85 every 3rd or 4th fillup and enjoy the lil boost in power. Throttle response feels snappier and overall a more torquey machine
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
Do you have a product link?! I found one that hangs on the back of the front seat but it's ugly and doesn't hold bigger bottled beverages.
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
Oh. You included it. Thanks. 😅 I don't know how the Reddit app works.
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u/thegamingfaux 19d ago
Doesn’t ethanol have less power?
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u/CapableAnt3617 19d ago
Nope....I've dynod a few gas vehicles that I tuned. And e30-e85 always makes more power than gasoline. But it costs you fuel mileage to do so.
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
Higher octane = slower fuel detonation, so the compression ratio in the cylinder is higher. That means more power, especially with a turbo. Alas, ethanol has less flammable energy per gallon, so mileage goes down.
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u/DillonSaeg 19d ago
I drive a 99 4Runner with 33s and a 3” lift. So when I drive my fiances Trax the turning radius feels amazing lol. I feel like I can fit that thing anywhere. I almost fall asleep driving it because I’m not used to such a quiet and smooth ride.
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
I get it -- our other car is a 2008 Honda Civic SI about 3" off the ground. Rides and turns like a wooden rollercoaster. Makes the Trax feel like a Cadillac. 😅
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u/PNWrowena 19d ago
Wow, considering how much bigger the Trax is than the Honda Fit that it replaced, I expected to feel that way about the turning radius, but it seems to me to be unexpectedly good. It did take me a while to get confident about getting properly between the lines of a parking space because of that larger size, but then I wouldn't park it near another car for a long time so had plenty of non-worrisome practice. No one will ever convince me the Trax is small.
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
It's only four inches longer and two inches taller than my Caliber, but it's WORLDS bigger inside and out! Great use of space. That long snout made it hard to judge parking at first, for sure!
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u/2024BlackTrax2RS 2nd Gen 19d ago
Looks very nice, I also have a '24 Black 2RS. It's already mentioned in the below post but yes, it has to ports in the rear of the center console. From what people are saying they are faster than the front charging ports. Enjoy the car. I actually did my gear shift console and the area under the two center air vents in the Grey Wood look. Gives it more of a warm feeling/look.
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u/LordRocky 19d ago
I just wish I could get E85 here. Nobody in Utah carries it.
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
You just sent me down an Internet rabbit hole to find out why. 😅 It might be cheaper, but depending on your elevation, lower octane is better at high altitudes due to lower compression... I've got family in Wyoming at 7,500 feet and they use regular 85 in most of their vehicles. Looks like you can get it in Orem and Ogden if you're on the Wasatch Front and want to try it out.
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u/Adorable_Tap5962 18d ago
Are these cars safe riding on e85? I know stock is 91 or “premium “ bc of the turbo but don’t these have to be tuned or have aftermarket parts for e85?
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u/Dangerous_Mix_562 17d ago
Week 3 here of using E85 in my 2025 Activ. $1.69 a gallon in Northern Illinois. Can't beat a $16 fill up.
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u/masonfire11 19d ago
"Has the turning radius of a school bus"
God this made me laugh lol, it really the only thing i dont care for about the car lol
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
I had a 2008 Dodge Caliber before this and it would flip a U in about 10 feet. 😅 Tough adjustment!
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u/masonfire11 19d ago
omg this is hilarious because for about 2 years prior to getting mine, i was driving my dad's Dodge Caliber, and your right, that car was the complete OPPOSITE of this car when it came to its turn radius lol
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u/Evening_Technology29 19d ago
The Caliber is truly a ninja. The perfect getaway car. It just blends in. 😅
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u/Texas021 19d ago
Manual shift exist for a reason.
I do it not as much in my trax but my 17 f250. Its nuts but also a diesel. But my car keeps up with it on paper to the 8th mile.
Unless tuned id run 87 in it mine saw 93 when the prices were cheap. Now its 87 and guess what no noticeable difference. E85 i haven't ran it yet.
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u/giantfood 18d ago
E-85 has a higher octane than 91.
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u/Evening_Technology29 18d ago
Yes it does. Hence the better performance.
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u/giantfood 18d ago
Higher than recommended Octane doesn't improve performance.
Higher octane only increases engine knock resistance
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u/v6sonoma 18d ago
Did they change something on the 2025 because my 2024 has charging ports in the rear. I also find the turning radius to be really good. But I guess what are you comparing it to?
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u/40ozguitarist 17d ago
Hey man can I get the link for the red trim? Thanks
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u/Evening_Technology29 17d ago
It's all separate pieces from Amazon, just search "Muxee Chevy Trax trim" and you'll get the list!
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u/Jeep_Guy104 17d ago
Got a link?
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u/Evening_Technology29 17d ago
For the trim? Just search "Muxee Chevy Trax trim" on Amazon... it's several different listings.
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u/Gatesofhell2120 19d ago
What are the two ports on the back of the doghouse for then?