5.0 premium fuel?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: North Shore MA
5.0 premium fuel?
Just curious how many guys are running premium vs. regular in their 5.0s and what the perceived benefit of doing so is. I have only run regular over the 20k miles on my 5.0 but am open to recommendations. Thanks!
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 88
Likes: 18
I run premium when I tow heavy, regular when I don’t.
I know the 5.0 is a very different motor, but I had a 4.6 that would ping sometimes on regular when it was hot and you got in it. To me, the premium is insurance against detonation when the engine is under high load and hot. I doubt it’s necessary with modern engine controls, but Ford recommends it so I do it.
I do know the fuel tables will advance the timing on premium, which may also help performance to some small degree. My limited understanding is that most of this gain is at higher rpms, but if it helps at all low/mid, that has the potential to reduce engine load.
The other benefit to premium is that it often has a better additive package. In addition to being good for the injectors, with all the 5.0s still having port injection it can also help keep the intake valves cleaner.
All that to say premium isn’t needed, and it probably doesn’t make a difference for your average use cases. But Ford did design the truck to be able to take advantage of higher octane fuel, so it isn’t a total waste (for the right use cases) either.
I know the 5.0 is a very different motor, but I had a 4.6 that would ping sometimes on regular when it was hot and you got in it. To me, the premium is insurance against detonation when the engine is under high load and hot. I doubt it’s necessary with modern engine controls, but Ford recommends it so I do it.
I do know the fuel tables will advance the timing on premium, which may also help performance to some small degree. My limited understanding is that most of this gain is at higher rpms, but if it helps at all low/mid, that has the potential to reduce engine load.
The other benefit to premium is that it often has a better additive package. In addition to being good for the injectors, with all the 5.0s still having port injection it can also help keep the intake valves cleaner.
All that to say premium isn’t needed, and it probably doesn’t make a difference for your average use cases. But Ford did design the truck to be able to take advantage of higher octane fuel, so it isn’t a total waste (for the right use cases) either.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
After 2018 the 5L compression ratio was upped to 12 to1.
This gave more power and torque plus mileage if you cared to drive to get it.
I run 89 most all the time.
I just got 23.2 round trip on 55k mile motor.
This was under the best of conditions, no A/C on, no passenger, no other loads.
And run tire pressure at 32-35 psi according to road temps, so could be even better if the tire pressure were raised above 36.
Best to drive and monitor the water fall on the dash screen and keep trying to keep it above the line as much as possible with the throttle..
This gave more power and torque plus mileage if you cared to drive to get it.
I run 89 most all the time.
I just got 23.2 round trip on 55k mile motor.
This was under the best of conditions, no A/C on, no passenger, no other loads.
And run tire pressure at 32-35 psi according to road temps, so could be even better if the tire pressure were raised above 36.
Best to drive and monitor the water fall on the dash screen and keep trying to keep it above the line as much as possible with the throttle..
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 558
Likes: 109
I've ran both and try to run premium cause it is high compression engine but its getting tuff in a Biden world for the poor man in his xl.I think non ethonal is a good choice but its just as high as premium.I do see some states 91 is premium in mine its 93
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 103
From: FL
My '13 5.0 ran fine in regular 87
Due to higher compression ratio, my '18 5.0 would ping/knock under low rpm high load conditions.
Switched to 93 and haven't had a problem sense. I also realized how neutered the truck was on 87. It comes alive with 93.
Due to higher compression ratio, my '18 5.0 would ping/knock under low rpm high load conditions.
Switched to 93 and haven't had a problem sense. I also realized how neutered the truck was on 87. It comes alive with 93.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Your truck/tire combo may be different, but mine says 35 PSI
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
Top tier fuel is the best to run in any motor / vehicle, it contains very little if any ethanol, but has a much better additive package to prevent knock. Ethanol does not have as many BTUs per gallon than gasoline does. thats why many company's have summer blend and winter blend fuel. Top tier simply has fuel. You can Google "top tier fuel" and download a list. her in Texas the main ones are Valero, Texaco/Shell, and most Exxon/Mobil.
TJ
TJ
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,881
Likes: 359
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
+1.
The additives in Top Tier are the main advantage, mostly in the form of better detergents. One of the reasons why injectors rarely need to be "cleaned" these days is because of the improvements in fuel detergents.
We'll probably get the ICE to as close to perfect as it can get just before it's retired to make way for cleaner alternatives (like EV, or hydrogen, or some as-yet-to-be-discovered alternative.
The additives in Top Tier are the main advantage, mostly in the form of better detergents. One of the reasons why injectors rarely need to be "cleaned" these days is because of the improvements in fuel detergents.
We'll probably get the ICE to as close to perfect as it can get just before it's retired to make way for cleaner alternatives (like EV, or hydrogen, or some as-yet-to-be-discovered alternative.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,227
Likes: 1,241
From: San Antonio, TX
Ending ICE production is not going to happen anytime soon as far as I can tell, based on what I’m seeing. EVs are not meeting their range ratings, they are pricey and sales are much slower than reported.
If I have to move to a 3/4 ton or another brand to keep a gas engine, I will. What I use my truck for won’t work under current range projections. Gas engines will be on the road for decades, even if regulated out of cars and light trucks in new sales at the projected time line.
My best guess at this time is hybrids will be compromise if EVs can’t be significantly improved on time.
If I have to move to a 3/4 ton or another brand to keep a gas engine, I will. What I use my truck for won’t work under current range projections. Gas engines will be on the road for decades, even if regulated out of cars and light trucks in new sales at the projected time line.
My best guess at this time is hybrids will be compromise if EVs can’t be significantly improved on time.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,227
Likes: 1,241
From: San Antonio, TX
A word about taxes. The end retail customer pays all the tax hikes on the “rich” and on corporations. That tax gets rolled into the final retail price. It happens with everything from random widgets to the fuel we buy. Only those who don’t understand this want big corporations to “pay through the nose”. If someone thinks high taxes punishes big oil, that’s just wrong. They pass those expenses to us all with higher prices.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 558
Likes: 109
A word about taxes. The end retail customer pays all the tax hikes on the “rich” and on corporations. That tax gets rolled into the final retail price. It happens with everything from random widgets to the fuel we buy. Only those who don’t understand this want big corporations to “pay through the nose”. If someone thinks high taxes punishes big oil, that’s just wrong. They pass those expenses to us all with higher prices.