Octane on a 7.3L
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,157
Likes: 8,003
From: Texas
I'd suggest following the Ford Owner's Manual. IMO, I do believe Top Tier fuels are better. I see better MPG with them.
FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. See Towing (page 277). Do not be concerned if the engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the engine knocks heavily while using fuel with the recommended octane rating, contact an authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent gasolines, where available to help minimize engine deposits and maintain optimal vehicle and engine performance. For additional information, refer to www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle was not designed can impair the emission control system, cause loss of vehicle performance, and cause damage to the engine which may not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based additives, including manganese-based compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known as MMT), which is a manganese-based fuel additive, will impair engine performance and affect the emission control system
FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. See Towing (page 277). Do not be concerned if the engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the engine knocks heavily while using fuel with the recommended octane rating, contact an authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent gasolines, where available to help minimize engine deposits and maintain optimal vehicle and engine performance. For additional information, refer to www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle was not designed can impair the emission control system, cause loss of vehicle performance, and cause damage to the engine which may not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based additives, including manganese-based compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known as MMT), which is a manganese-based fuel additive, will impair engine performance and affect the emission control system
2. If no one has read the Owners Manual, or post #2 of this thread, why should they bother to read your post?
3. LOLOLOL
PS> Don’t take me serious......I am just having some fun!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 863
Likes: 35
From: MA
I have never seen ethanol free gas @ the pump. I buy it in the can how ever for my small equipment ( string line trimmer, blower, etc.), I think it's great, it's pricey thou. There was a time when ethanol came out there was a lot of problems with plastic fuel line failure.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
The bigger point I'm making here is ethanol DID/DOES affect beef & pork prices. More people using E, drives up corn prices. That's great for the farmer that sells corn for his crop. NOT great for the consumer buying meat. Cattle & hog farmer has to pay more for feed -> which drives up beef and pork prices........
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 695
I understand the logic behind a reduction in fuel mileage as ethanol has less energy per volume but I don't see the logic behind reduced engine life for an engine that is designed to run on x% ethanol. Probably a moot point for me as I have ran engines to near or beyond 100,000 miles on 87 with 10% ethanol without any engine problems. The body rusts out long before the engine gives up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 863
Likes: 35
From: MA
I never thought about that. There is no separate underground tank for midgrade the pump blends low and high ? That would make perfect sense, one less tank in a usually limited space with less construction and maintenance cost
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,157
Likes: 8,003
From: Texas
The bigger point I'm making here is ethanol DID/DOES affect beef & pork prices. More people using E, drives up corn prices. That's great for the farmer that sells corn for his crop. NOT great for the consumer buying meat. Cattle & hog farmer has to pay more for feed -> which drives up beef and pork prices........
I could have been raising beef and charging what I wanted rather than getting market price. I could have made money ranching instead of busting my **** working in the oilfields! And now back to our regular program.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,163
Likes: 1,373
From: Chaz
Yup I believe so, they blend it to 89 around here.
I usually top off my 2.7 ecoboost with 93 if I know I’ll be towing. Unloaded 87 works just as good.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 695
And here I thought all along that these prices were set by the open market......I.E. supply and demand commodities markets, rather than what they cost to produce! Silly me.
I could have been raising beef and charging what I wanted rather than getting market price. I could have made money ranching instead of busting my **** working in the oilfields! And now back to our regular program.
I could have been raising beef and charging what I wanted rather than getting market price. I could have made money ranching instead of busting my **** working in the oilfields! And now back to our regular program.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
I'll pay the extra 20 cents/gallon (at least that's how much more it is here) for the non E product. This of course is for 87. I've never like anything with E in it. They never had it 30 years ago. Guess i'm old school.......
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 321
From: Lost in the Ozone....
https://www.pure-gas.org/
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 405
Likes: 212
From: Texas