what octane are you using

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Mar 18, 2019 | 10:02 PM

#16

msgtord

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,490

Likes: 16

From: Arizona/Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggums

Manual said 87 so I used 87. For the vast majority of engines, putting in 89 won't make a difference.

Yes it does. 87 octane is the minimum required. The engine is designed to run better on 91 octane or higher.

Mar 19, 2019 | 08:19 PM

#17

jimmy-six

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,019

Likes: 6

From: Fountain Valley

87 for normal driving and 90+ when towing #8000 car hauler enclosed.

Mar 20, 2019 | 12:10 PM

#18

GABAR

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 5,650

Likes: 243

From: GA

Shell V Power 93 octane since day one.

Mar 20, 2019 | 02:59 PM

#19

CR172

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 1,597

Likes: 83

From: N. Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthorngate3

I have run 93 and 87 in mine, and I haven't really noticed any difference. If I end up getting a tune, it will definitely be a 93 octane tune.

That's one of the things that got me to look at the Omega tune. I can run any octane including E85 with it, no problems. I have been running 93 octane since I did the tune but filled up yesterday with 89 due to price increase, Can't say I notice any difference but I haven't really put my foot into it.

Mar 20, 2019 | 03:18 PM

#20

David W Jones

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2013

Posts: 369

Likes: 16

From: Pleasant Grove, Alabama

87 Shell or Chevron. I've tried mid and high and noticed no difference.

Mar 20, 2019 | 06:38 PM

#21

Midnightmoon

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 298

Likes: 11

87 on a regular basis. 93 when towing.

Mar 20, 2019 | 08:01 PM

#22

tuckr2

Mountain Pass

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 177

Likes: 7

From: Pacific Northwest

Have run 87 octane with exception of a few instances. Whether daily driving, highway trips, or towing a 7000 lb loaded travel trailer my 2018 with 3.5 has handled it all admirably. More power and better fuel mileage than any previous F-150 I’ve owned. Winter fuels do have a mileage and power difference. Seems about 5/10% loss in mileage in winter.

Mar 21, 2019 | 10:02 AM

#23

ghunt

Postmaster

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 3,724

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From: Clarksburg WV

I run 87 because there's no reason to run anything higher if you don't have a tune (at least on the 5.0).

I run 93 in my Mustang because I got a 93 octane tune for it.

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Mar 21, 2019 | 10:54 PM

#24

NWnative

Tuned

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 400

Likes: 25

From: Queen Creek

Had a 2016 3.5RB. For the 3 years I ran it, I used nothing but Premium 92 Octane. Put about 5000 miles a year on it with more than half of that towing. Yes it will run on 87 Octane....ford puts that in there because if they were to require premium, it would be a detractor for potential buyers. Since it's designed to perform best on Premium as stated in the manual, that is what I went with. Didn't pay all that money for the truck to cheap out and save a few $$'s with each fill up. For what it's worth, the manual for my F250 w/6.2 gives the same guidance so i run Premium in that as well.

Mar 22, 2019 | 06:54 AM

#25

IndyDog

More Turbo

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 681

Likes: 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWnative

Since it's designed to perform best on Premium as stated in the manual, that is what I went with.

It also states any gain is noticed most in hot weather or when towing. I'll continue to use 87 unless I detect pinging.

Mar 22, 2019 | 07:11 AM

#26

bedwards

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 432

Likes: 6

I'm just wondering if the injector noise and assorted other noises posters are complaining about is the lower octane gas. I will swap over next tank and see what happens.

Mar 22, 2019 | 11:45 AM

#27

GlueGuy

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 5,889

Likes: 360

From: Mts. S. of San Francisco

We often go through a section of road that has a slight incline, but the posted speed limit is 30 MPH. Trying to keep within the speed limit, and having the tranny set for normal, the truck will try to negotiate it in one gear too high, and will be running ~~ 1200 RPM. Although it doesn't sound like pinging, it does sound like it might be getting there. So just before I hit that stretch, I will switch to tow/haul mode, and the tranny will pick one lower gear, and we'll go through there at ~~ 1600 RPM. MUCH better. Responds better to the throttle too. This is on 87 octane & no serious load.

Jul 4, 2019 | 04:52 PM

#28

85e150

Super Moderator

Joined: Apr 2004

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Bringing this back as the following is the only "real world" "test" I've run across. Owners of the 3.5EB will be pleased to note "there is a difference". Others may be pleased to note there isn't. I'm not pleased that the 2.7EB isn't mentioned, but I am pleased with the performance I get. I'll try a switch from premium to regular next fall.

The July 2019 Car and Driver has an article about octane. The test was conducted in cool weather, and included acceleration, fuel economy, & dyno pulls. The article does not yet appear on line. All vehicles are 2019s.

Honda CRV 1.5 Turbo: 87/93 shows 164HP/172/HP, 15.7/15.7 quarter mile, 27.3/27.6 MPG
BMW M5 4.4 Turbo V8: 604/617 HP, 10.9/10.8 quarter mile, 24.6/23.9 MPG
Dodge Charger 5.7 V8: 318/332 HP, 13.5/13.4 quarter mile, 17/17.6 MPG

And the reason I'm posting:
F150 Ltd 4x4 3.5EB: 360/380 HP, 14.5/14.0 quarter mile, 17/17.6 MPG.

It would make sense that the MPG would not be affected much, only the WOT running.

YMMV.

Jul 4, 2019 | 07:08 PM

#29

PupnDuck

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 1,470

Likes: 108

From: Staten Island, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85e150

The only problem is that that test was an F-150 Limited with an engine that's factory rated at 450 HP. Their dyno tests showed an actual rear wheel horsepower of 360/380 depending on fuel octane. That's a loss of 20% or 16% at the wheels.

For us poor people who drive XL's, XLT's and Lariats we have to make do with an engine factory rated at 375 HP. Assuming an equal drive-line loss that equates to an actual rear wheel horsepower of 300/317 HP depending on octane.

Not too shabby, but most don't realize that the manufacturer published horsepower ratings are right up there with unicorns and leprechauns (and apparently BMW's which actually dyno'd the rated horsepower).

Jul 4, 2019 | 08:10 PM

#30

85e150

Super Moderator

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 34,529

Likes: 2,832

I haven't been paying attention since I don't want to stir up a fatal buyer's remorse episode with my 2.7. 450/510-- I could see how you would get used to that. Oddly they have a test which pegs the 1/4 mile at 13.7, quicker than their octane article.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

IIRC people would kill to take .3 off their ET....

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