Effect of 93 octane

[RalphVa]

You F-150 drivers will want to read this: Is Premium Gas Worth It? We Test High Octane on 4 Popular Vehicles

It's the only vehicle where 93 octane was a big improvement over 87 octane. On the BMW, the 87 octane was better.

On my own tests in the MX-5, I've settled on 89 (probably more nearly 90) octane for it. Think the owners manual recommends 91.

Ralph

 

[2LaneCruzer]

You F-150 drivers will want to read this: Is Premium Gas Worth It? We Test High Octane on 4 Popular Vehicles

It's the only vehicle where 93 octane was a big improvement over 87 octane. On the BMW, the 87 octane was better.

On my own tests in the MX-5, I've settled on 89 (probably more nearly 90) octane for it. Think the owners manual recommends 91.

Ralph

I use it in everything I own (CX5; F150; 60 Impala, mowers, saws, blower, etc.) and never buy anything with ethanol in it unless it's an emergency.

 

[KennyG]

I read that article but it left me uncertain about the benefits for my truck. The article says they tested a 450 HP F-150. That would be a Raptor, not the approximately 375 HP engine I have in mine. I think it is likely that the Raptor benefits more from premium fuel than the regular 3.5 Ecoboost, but I haven't experimented to find out.

 

[dalola]

Any of the Ecoboost engines will respond incredibly well to higher octane fuel, due to boost management. Ford left lots of margin in their tuning tables to account for a range of fuel qualities.

This is partly why performance tunes are so popular (& effective) on the EB engines. Lot's of untapped potential if you tune for high octane fuel.

I have been running a 93 octane performance tune (Livernois) on my 2.7 F150 for a couple years now, and it's insane the difference. The 2.7 was already a potent little engine, but with a tune it's in performance car territory. In good weather conditions, I can run high 12's very consistently with my truck, in 4x4 mode, low 13's in 2x4. The magic of good fuel & lots of boost.

 

[fatjay]

From my understanding, higher octane is the resistance to explode. Low compression engines require lower octane, high compression engines require higher octane to prevent detonation before the spark plug ignites when the piston hits top dead center. My supercharged jaguar, being supercharged, requires 93 octane because it's a high compression engine. My hummer h2, which is a regular old gm 6 liter v8, is fine with 87 because it's a low compression engine.

 

[skipmarcy]

I also use premium non-ethanol in all of my gas engines, large & small. Have for over 45 years. My small engines can sit for 6 months or better and ALL of them start easily if there are no other mechanical issues. My last weedeater was 19 hard-years old and still had the original carb on it when I tossed it for compression loss. The higher octane isn't the key here, it's the additive package premium fuels receive. I use no additives or stabilizers with my gasoline - they're already in there. I DO use additives in my diesel fuel for my truck and tractor.

 

[MossRoad]

From my understanding, higher octane is the resistance to explode. Low compression engines require lower octane, high compression engines require higher octane to prevent detonation before the spark plug ignites when the piston hits top dead center. My supercharged jaguar, being supercharged, requires 93 octane because it's a high compression engine. My hummer h2, which is a regular old gm 6 liter v8, is fine with 87 because it's a low compression engine.

Our 2013 Impala has 11.5:1 compression and runs on 87 octane.

It's all about the computers now.

 

[bunyip]

Woonder why we are diffferent, only see 91, 98 and E10.

 

[Gary Fowler]

All the studies I have ever read including car owner manuals say that it is a waste of money and could actually be detrimental to the engine to use any higher octane than what the OEM recommends. This does not include engines that have been made into dragsters by highly modifying them like dalola did to his truck.
If the engine is designed to run on 87 and has not been modified, then use 87 but if it is a high performance engine like you find on high priced luxury cars that require 93 then using lower grade gas could definitely harm the engine.

I am not in my 20's (some folks like my 50 year old son who just bought a Hellcat take longer to grow up) and I no longer need to show off my manhood with a high performance car so I dont own anything that requires more than 87 octane including lawnmowers, chainsaws and motorcycles.

 

[dodge man]

I have also read you get a benefit in the F150 both the eco-boost and the 5.0 of using higher octane and even E85. The problem is does it offset the cost? Does slightly more power and slightly better fuel mileage offset the cost? I doubt it.

I couldn't read the article either, it just took me to the top of the page. I'm guessing you have to subscribe. What engine did the Charger have?