Fuel Octane Question
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New User
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Fuel Octane Question
Does it matter wether I put regular unleaded or midgrade on my 2008 F150?
My friend says that midgrade isn't going to help my truck run any better & thought I'd ask some opinions. I plan to keep my truck and want to keep her running in good shape.
My friend says that midgrade isn't going to help my truck run any better & thought I'd ask some opinions. I plan to keep my truck and want to keep her running in good shape.
Elder User
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Sorry to disagree, the 87 was not very good in my 08 V6 or my son's 08 V6, can't speak for the V8s. My truck runs best on the 89 Sunoco or BP, going to 93 doesn't seem to matter much. In my son's truck, even with the same V6 motor the 93 BP Invigorate runs WAY better than the 87 and he gets excellent gas mileage.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Sorry to disagree, the 87 was not very good in my 08 V6 or my son's 08 V6, can't speak for the V8s. My truck runs best on the 89 Sunoco or BP, going to 93 doesn't seem to matter much. In my son's truck, even with the same V6 motor the 93 BP Invigorate runs WAY better than the 87 and he gets excellent gas mileage.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 375
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From: Columbia, MO
Sorry to disagree, the 87 was not very good in my 08 V6 or my son's 08 V6, can't speak for the V8s. My truck runs best on the 89 Sunoco or BP, going to 93 doesn't seem to matter much. In my son's truck, even with the same V6 motor the 93 BP Invigorate runs WAY better than the 87 and he gets excellent gas mileage.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
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From: South Jersey
Like what was already mentioned, using 89 or higher octane will not only not make a difference, high octane fuel has a slower burn and can cause dirty valves and be bad for the spark plugs. Engines with high compression and or advanced timming tend to require the use of high octane fuel. If you were to tow or haul heavy loads (within the truck's safe load range of course), then running a higher octane can be used, but not really needed.
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Posting Guru
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Your friend is right.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Not to sidetrack things, but...
How come everyone and their brother seems to think they know better than the manufacturer? Not just on fuel, but on lots of things...I remember lots of threads on what type of oil to use, as some insist that Ford's wrong, and a different weight oil is better. Heck, I even remember one clown using heavy duty 15w-40 DIESEL
oil in his truck, thinking it'd be better for it. Same goes air filters...everyone seems to love the K&Ns, but there are plenty who do NOT maintain them and cause problems...
Is it really that hard to read the Owner's manual? Or do the armchair engineers feel they know better than those who built their truck?
How come everyone and their brother seems to think they know better than the manufacturer? Not just on fuel, but on lots of things...I remember lots of threads on what type of oil to use, as some insist that Ford's wrong, and a different weight oil is better. Heck, I even remember one clown using heavy duty 15w-40 DIESEL
oil in his truck, thinking it'd be better for it. Same goes air filters...everyone seems to love the K&Ns, but there are plenty who do NOT maintain them and cause problems...Is it really that hard to read the Owner's manual? Or do the armchair engineers feel they know better than those who built their truck?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Like what was already mentioned, using 89 or higher octane will not only not make a difference, high octane fuel has a slower burn and can cause dirty valves and be bad for the spark plugs. Engines with high compression and or advanced timming tend to require the use of high octane fuel. If you were to tow or haul heavy loads (within the truck's safe load range of course), then running a higher octane can be used, but not really needed.
Why waste money and mess up your vehicle? Premium and mid-grade gas burns slower than regular so it is not cleanly burned when an engine is designed and tuned for regular.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
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Whatever..... I said wahat I said and I'll stick to it. That's what a forum is about. Maybe the 87 is CRAP, wouldn't doubt it. If you don't care for my response either don't read it or don't take what I said into considerstion. I can tell you without any question that my truck tows my boat better with the 89 than the 87, especially on hills, the 87 is lifeless. If you don't care for this information, don't consider it. Also when I feel like it, I'll go check the stock timing on the two trucks. My son's truck runs better than mine overall, same engine. I'll bet they're NOT the same and that neither one is set to spec. Also if I were to pull all the plugs and gap them, which I'm not, I bet the gaps are inconsistent.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
MisterDave2...
This is a Forum...we use these to discuss, debate, and talk about things affecting our trucks. Do you honestly expect everyone here to ignore your post, and not respond to it?
Or would you prefer anyone who disagrees with your response to the OP just keep their opinions to themselves? Hrmm...by that logic...why does anyone post here to begin with?
Not to sound crass, but if you're afraid of someone differing with your opinion, you might want to reconsider posting on a public forum.
This is a Forum...we use these to discuss, debate, and talk about things affecting our trucks. Do you honestly expect everyone here to ignore your post, and not respond to it?
Or would you prefer anyone who disagrees with your response to the OP just keep their opinions to themselves? Hrmm...by that logic...why does anyone post here to begin with?
Not to sound crass, but if you're afraid of someone differing with your opinion, you might want to reconsider posting on a public forum.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2008
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Nobody is trying to attack you. We were just asking if you had any empirical data behind your statement or if it was just a seat of the pants deal. The truck doesn't have a distributor so the timing is totally controlled by the ECU so you will have to data log with an appropriate scanning device to determine timing.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 531
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From: North Richland Hills, TX
Not to sidetrack things, but...
How come everyone and their brother seems to think they know better than the manufacturer? Not just on fuel, but on lots of things...I remember lots of threads on what type of oil to use, as some insist that Ford's wrong, and a different weight oil is better. Heck, I even remember one clown using heavy duty 15w-40 DIESELoil in his truck, thinking it'd be better for it. Same goes air filters...everyone seems to love the K&Ns, but there are plenty who do NOT maintain them and cause problems...
Is it really that hard to read the Owner's manual? Or do the armchair engineers feel they know better than those who built their truck?
How come everyone and their brother seems to think they know better than the manufacturer? Not just on fuel, but on lots of things...I remember lots of threads on what type of oil to use, as some insist that Ford's wrong, and a different weight oil is better. Heck, I even remember one clown using heavy duty 15w-40 DIESEL
oil in his truck, thinking it'd be better for it. Same goes air filters...everyone seems to love the K&Ns, but there are plenty who do NOT maintain them and cause problems...Is it really that hard to read the Owner's manual? Or do the armchair engineers feel they know better than those who built their truck?