7.3 gas octane usage
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2005
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7.3 gas octane usage
Now that a few have had the new 7.3 gas motor, anyone have any comments on fuel octane? What octane do you run? Do you up the octane for towing?
I assume the knock sensor stops it from pinging but at what degree does it affect the feel of the motor?
I assume the knock sensor stops it from pinging but at what degree does it affect the feel of the motor?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2019
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The manual says it runs better on higher octane. So I’m guessing the knock sensors adjust timing as needed to prevent knocking with lower octane fuel. Probably not a big deal while the weather is cool, once it gets hot this summer, it could be a different story. I plan on running 87 unloaded, but may switch to 89 or higher during the summer or with heavy loads.
I will likely take it to the dyno at some point and see if it really makes a difference. I was hoping that 5 star would do some testing on 87 vs 89 vs 93 octane results with the stock OEM tune, but they never did.
I will likely take it to the dyno at some point and see if it really makes a difference. I was hoping that 5 star would do some testing on 87 vs 89 vs 93 octane results with the stock OEM tune, but they never did.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2019
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Like others said, manual says minimum 87 only and runs better on higher. I was going to get a few tanks of 87 in before trying the others. From past experience it takes a few tanks for the computer to learn the proper tune for octane changes. If you try a different octane you'll need a few tanks to know if it is worth it. If the mpg goes up I'll likely use it. And I won't know if its needed in summer hear towing until that time arrives.
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Joined: Feb 2017
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I'm going to try running the 5star 91 octane tune and see if it makes a noticeable difference.
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This may or may not apply, but my 2016 F150 5.0 said 87 Octane Recommended, 91 Octane "For Best Performance" With that said I definitely got better mpg (about 1mpg at least) using 91 Octane Towin in the high altitude Rockies vs 87 Octane.
At the same time, strangely, unloaded I got the best mpg with 85 Octane daily driving vs 87 or 91.
At the same time, strangely, unloaded I got the best mpg with 85 Octane daily driving vs 87 or 91.
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