Octane on a 7.3L
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 341
Likes: 25
I ran 91 no ethanol in the summer while towing my camper. Once the camper was put away, its been 87 Octane 10% ethanol. I do get about 10% better MPG with 91 Octane. But it costs 15-17% more, so not making back the difference. I did notice a very slight performance advantage to 91 octane in the heat of summer. In winter I use the remote start often sold, I'd rather burn the cheaper gas since 87 and 91 both get 0 MPG while idling in the driveway.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
Wow, that's cheap. Here in the mid-atlantic, E Free gas is ~70-80 cents more per gallon over regular. Note that it is typically 90 octane too.
https://www.pure-gas.org/
https://www.pure-gas.org/
😉😎👍✅
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Any of the issues I have ever seen that were related to ethanol fuel were due to running E85 in a vehicle that had no content sensor, a fuel system not made to withstand the characteristics of ethanol, and no way to compensate the extra fuel that was needed to not suffer from a constant lean condition.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 449
Likes: 40
For those that like to buy a specific brand of gasoline, it'd pretty much the same gasoline not matter where you get it. The exception is if a station or brand adds their 11 herbs and spices. But the base gasoline is the same.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/...ng%20stations.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/...ng%20stations.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 1,357
From: NY/Canada border
Regular was $2.05 and mid grade 89 was $2.25. My home area is getting $2.15 at the cheapest places.
I'll keep half an eye on the truck's mileage meter just for grins. I didn't buy an F 250 to be a mileage machine but I'm curious if the higher octane will bump it up any.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 568
From: Black Hills of SD
Ethanol produces 70% as much energy by volume as gasoline does, which means that you need to burn more ethanol to create the same energy, to go the same distance. If you just want to go as far as you can on a tank of fuel, no brainer to just use a non-ethanol blend gasoline. The numbers to pay attention to are miles per dollar in comparison between gasoline and ethanol. If you get 14 MPG from a tank of E85 and 20 MPG from a tank of non ethanol 87 octane, it might seem like the 87 is the better deal. But if ethanol is $1.30 a gallon (10.76 miles per dollar) and 87 octane is $2 (10 miles per dollar), then E85 is the better deal, but obviously you'll make more stops for fuel, and not every station carries E85.
Any of the issues I have ever seen that were related to ethanol fuel were due to running E85 in a vehicle that had no content sensor, a fuel system not made to withstand the characteristics of ethanol, and no way to compensate the extra fuel that was needed to not suffer from a constant lean condition.
Any of the issues I have ever seen that were related to ethanol fuel were due to running E85 in a vehicle that had no content sensor, a fuel system not made to withstand the characteristics of ethanol, and no way to compensate the extra fuel that was needed to not suffer from a constant lean condition.
Well said. Thanks
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 682
Likes: 94
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
I get the best mileage running Chevron fuel, I originally ran 87 oct but have been running premium for the last 1k miles...I top off after each trip so I dont get the 150.00 + fill up. Here in the communist state of Kaliforistan... unleaded at Chevron can be 3.35-3.79 per gallon depending on area.
May try running mid grade 89 Oct....to see if there is a difference.
I can fill my truck up with 87 Oct for free through my company but choose to run the higher Octane and pay out of pocket. Eventually I'll go back to free
May try running mid grade 89 Oct....to see if there is a difference.
I can fill my truck up with 87 Oct for free through my company but choose to run the higher Octane and pay out of pocket. Eventually I'll go back to free
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
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