Question about fuel please help quick.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Question about fuel please help quick.
A student of mine wants to know what octane fuel she needs to put into her 1998 Expedition. Her mom contends that she must put premium in but I am pretty sure that it supposed to use just regular 87 octane. Most cars with the exeption of high performance turbo cars are tuned to run optimally on 87 octane. Is this true in the Expedition. We don't have the owners mannual handy so any help would be great.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
Question about fuel please help quick.
Ford has retarded the timing such that 87 Octane is more than adequate. By running any higher level, one is just wasting money. Now if the vehicle is modified with some sort of performance enhancing program, i.e. Superchip, then a higher octane fuel is mandatory to realize performance gains.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: NE JERSEY
Question about fuel please help quick.
I run 89 because I've seen a few reports that when surprise testing of the 87 octane when in the station tanks may be only 86 or even lower.
So when I buy 89 octane even if it's 88 I know it's at least the 87 octane required.
So when I buy 89 octane even if it's 88 I know it's at least the 87 octane required.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
Question about fuel please help quick.
>I run 89 because I've seen a few reports that when surprise
>testing of the 87 octane when in the station tanks may be
>only 86 or even lower.
>So when I buy 89 octane even if it's 88 I know it's at least
>the 87 octane required.
Were you noticing any performance/mpg loss by using the lower grade gasoline? I would think so long as the engine is not "pinging" the higher octane gas is just not warranted. I've read a couple articles that say higher octane gas, run in vehichles designed for lower octane consumption, can actually be harmful and do more damage than good.
>testing of the 87 octane when in the station tanks may be
>only 86 or even lower.
>So when I buy 89 octane even if it's 88 I know it's at least
>the 87 octane required.
Were you noticing any performance/mpg loss by using the lower grade gasoline? I would think so long as the engine is not "pinging" the higher octane gas is just not warranted. I've read a couple articles that say higher octane gas, run in vehichles designed for lower octane consumption, can actually be harmful and do more damage than good.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Question about fuel please help quick.
Octane in of itself does not give more HP or better performance unless the engine is designed specifically to run on higher octane fuels. Octane is only a combustion retardant meaning it slows down the rate of combustion so the piston has a little more time to compress the fuel mixture - you get a higher compression ratio. If the fuel ignites too early or too late in the cycle, serious valve damage will occur. If the engine is not designed to run on higher octane fuels you are not only wasting money but may cause engine damage.
If it is not pinging on the cheap stuff, don't use the more expensive stuff. I've noticed that my vehicles may ping if I buy gas at an "off brand" station so I'll either switch to the next higher octane at the "off brand" station (maybe this is where the surprise octane tests failed!) or stick with a reputable station and use regular.
Boatjunkie
If it is not pinging on the cheap stuff, don't use the more expensive stuff. I've noticed that my vehicles may ping if I buy gas at an "off brand" station so I'll either switch to the next higher octane at the "off brand" station (maybe this is where the surprise octane tests failed!) or stick with a reputable station and use regular.
Boatjunkie
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: NE JERSEY
Question about fuel please help quick.
I've used 87 and really see no difference between 89 and 87 octane.For me it's just a mental thing especially in the summer using A/C and winter with oxygenated gas.
I use Amoco/BP or Citgo 95% of the time.Mostly Citgo.
I don't feel I'm doing any kind of damage to my engine using 89 octane.
Now using 93 is a different story.87 to 93 is a big difference on the burn.
I use Amoco/BP or Citgo 95% of the time.Mostly Citgo.
I don't feel I'm doing any kind of damage to my engine using 89 octane.
Now using 93 is a different story.87 to 93 is a big difference on the burn.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Question about fuel please help quick.
If you're not running an aftermarket performance chip, then Definitely NOT 93. I used to run 93 in all my prior vehicles (sports cars, Benzes, etc.), but from what I read the Ford 5.4 does NOT like it; it's actually setup to burn more efficiently using Regular 87 than the higher octane stuff. Some people might feel better using 89 (most gas stations run more detergent in the 89 than the 87, which is also a plus). Your best bet, however, is to run 87 octane and use a fuel injection cleaner (about $5 - $8 at any car parts store, K-Mart, or even grocery store) in your gas every 10,000 miles. Someone made this comment before, though and it bears repeating -- if you get any pinging from the gas you used, switch gas stations. If it stops, never go back there again. I use 87 octane Amoco exclusively. And I make my truck hold its breath any time we drive by a Hess, Shell, "off-brand" or Exxon.
