what octane do you use?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
what octane do you use?
The manual specifies 87 for the 4.6 and 5.4. I have been using this with no pinging at all. However, last fill-up I used 89, just for the heck of it (gas prices are dropping here). Now it seems I have a bit more power from the 4.6. Is it just psychological or something? what octane do you use? do you notice power changes? do you think the ECU is advancing the spark a bit as it listens for ping?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
what octane do you use?
In the past 110,000 miles in every kind of tough conditions with and without a heavy load, in heat up to 120 degrees, I've used 87 octane in my '97 5.4L with no knocks of lack of performance. Never could tell the difference if using higher octanes when 87 wasn't available. I do notice immediately if I use a lower octane part ethanol fuel like found in big cities or out West, because the engine check light comes on, and it will ping on acceleration or heavy pulling. A curse on whoever thought of using ethanol and oxygenators in gas with a low octane rating.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Flat Rock, Michigan
what octane do you use?
radar_ridr:
I use 87 octane in my 5.4 and the same in my 4.6 without a problem....ever. A well maintained engine shouldn't need the extra juice, unless you are approaching the 200 thousand mile club!
As for feeling some extra power when using 89 or 92 octane i would have to agree with you on that. At least thats how my 81 F150 with a 4.9L (209,000 miles) responds. Excessive carbon build-up causing the compression ratio to be increased.
-hooD
I use 87 octane in my 5.4 and the same in my 4.6 without a problem....ever. A well maintained engine shouldn't need the extra juice, unless you are approaching the 200 thousand mile club!
As for feeling some extra power when using 89 or 92 octane i would have to agree with you on that. At least thats how my 81 F150 with a 4.9L (209,000 miles) responds. Excessive carbon build-up causing the compression ratio to be increased.
-hooD
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: baren desert wasteland, s
what octane do you use?
I have a 99 f150 5.4L v8 and have always used 91 octane in my truck except when I was low on cash then I would put the 87 octane in and noticed that I didn't get quite as good of acceloration. Now I always run 91 because I put a chip in my truck, I would put 93 octane in which is what the chip recommends but I have not found any place that sells 93, the highest I'v found is 91. If anyone knows where to get 93 let me know.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
what octane do you use?
ssKable,
I moved to MT in Dec. 2001. Once I crossed the border from SD to WY, the octane dropped. I've only seen one place that sales anything in MT above 91, and that was in Missoula. Due to the higher elevation that is why the octane ratings are lower where you live.
Hudge1
I moved to MT in Dec. 2001. Once I crossed the border from SD to WY, the octane dropped. I've only seen one place that sales anything in MT above 91, and that was in Missoula. Due to the higher elevation that is why the octane ratings are lower where you live.
Hudge1
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
