Tested: Is Higher Octane Fuel Better? Better MPG? More HP? -- 87 vs 91 vs 93 Octane with Ethanol Edition (by Project Farm)

[TXRaider]

The manual says it will perform better in high temperatures with higher octane.
It's been 100+ 20 days already this summer with the next 3 weeks forecasted for more of the same. Considering that and the guidance by Ford, I'll use the higher octane (which happens to also be ethanol free in my area).

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[Montana]

The manual says it will perform better in high temperatures with higher octane.
It's been 100+ 20 days already this summer with the next 3 weeks forecasted for more of the same. Considering that and the guidance by Ford, I'll use the higher octane (which happens to also be ethanol free in my area).

Good point. I use ethanol free for storage purposes. Rotating constantly to keep at least a weeks supply for the generators especially during winter is tons of fun... but at least I have a fairly quick system now days. But it's costly.

 

[MaverickResource]

I've always gotten a tad better MPG when using higher octane

 

[pgstick02]

Who is Project Farm and why should I care what they say? Don't think Youtube is the definitive answer for engineering issues so I didn't watch the video.

Most of his videos consist of tool reliability comparison. The guy does do some good comparative reviews regarding robustness and reliability but I agree this does not answer engineering issues between different motors

 

[TheQuixotic1]

"The problem with people doing their own research is people doing their own research."

(Because most people don't know how to do actual research.)

Similar to my signature line: "Everything is idiot proof until a better idiot comes along."

 

[billbillw]

Has anyone ever wondered why Lexus vehicles say that Premium is required and the Toyota models with the same exact engine (same HP/Torque rating) say that Regular Unleaded is required?

I poured thousands of gallons of Premium fuel into vehicles over the years starting with my Contour SVT (which made a paltry 15HP more than the base Duratec), years of VWs and Mercedes, Mazdaspeed 3, and a Subaru Legacy GT. Some/most of those, I have no doubt, needed premium fuel. The Maverick, I have no doubt, does not need it under normal driving. Hard driving, racing, towing, yes. Daily commute, no.

Here in Georgia, Premium (93 Octane) is universally 60-80c more per gallon. @ 60c, over 10K miles in a year, that's about $223 more. That may not sound like much, but that is equivalent to something like 6 extra tanks of gas. I'm saving for retirement in the next 7 years, so everything counts.

 

[GPSMan]

Has anyone ever wondered why Lexus vehicles say that Premium is required and the Toyota models with the same exact engine (same HP/Torque rating) say that Regular Unleaded is required?

It's to help maintain the "premium" image of the Lexus brand.

 

[MaverickMom]

I use premium gas in my Hybrid and even though it costs more, with the MPG I am getting it is equivalent to me paying less than 2 dollars a gallon. So I am sticking with premium.

I recently found out the hard way that not all gas stations have the "same premium" . I found my runs best, believe it or not, with Costco gas.

 

[TheWizziard]

Similar to my signature line: "Everything is idiot proof until a better idiot comes along."

That goes along with:

"The best thing about the internet is that anyone can publish!"

The worst thing about the internet is that anyone can publish!

 

[billbillw]

I use premium gas in my Hybrid and even though it costs more, with the MPG I am getting it is equivalent to me paying less than 2 dollars a gallon. So I am sticking with premium.

I recently found out the hard way that not all gas stations have the "same premium" . I found my runs best, believe it or not, with Costco gas.

Premium in the Hybrid? I don't understand the logic in that one, but feel free to waste your money on each tank. The Hybrid is not turbocharged or high compression. It cannot utilize the higher octane to any advantage. Your math must be flawed to think you are paying less than $2 per gallon. I'd like to see a breakdown of those calculations.

 

[jewc75]

If you run 87 in an ecoboost in a high temperature climate and have an engine failure you will be on the hook for repairs. Yes Ford uses knock sensors, but they will allow knock (detonation) before retarding the timing. This i why they recommend 91 or better. Fords definition of performance has nothing to do with hp or torque gains, it has to do with keeping the engine happy and running great. It doesn't take much detonation to blow a hole in your piston. Ive monitored knock on 87 octane vs 93 octane in several cars/trucks and 93 always wins. Every vehicle i own runs on 93 or E85.

 

[bgn]

Similar to my signature line: "Everything is idiot proof until a better idiot comes along."

I always wondered who was the reason behind car manuals telling you to not drink the battery acid...

 

[jewc75]

The Hybrid is not turbocharged or high compression. It cannot utilize the higher octane to any advantage.

Ford uses programming from the engines sensors to adjust fueling and timing so the hybrid definitely can have a small boost in hp/tq. This programming has been around since the early 2000's. Ive run E30 in My Maverick and its all we run in our stock VW GTI.

 

[Chris_G]

I always wondered who was the reason behind car manuals telling you to not drink the battery acid...

I thought it said "don't do acid" while driving. I missed the battery part

 

[billbillw]

If you run 87 in an ecoboost in a high temperature climate and have an engine failure you will be on the hook for repairs. Yes Ford uses knock sensors, but they will allow knock (detonation) before retarding the timing. This i why they recommend 91 or better. Fords definition of performance has nothing to do with hp or torque gains, it has to do with keeping the engine happy and running great. It doesn't take much detonation to blow a hole in your piston. Ive monitored knock on 87 octane vs 93 octane in several cars/trucks and 93 always wins. Every vehicle i own runs on 93 or E85.

That's completely untrue. Ford recommends 87 Octane for all their Maverick models so they cannot deny warranty coverage on a failed motor that ran recommended fuel. Ford has a huge margin of safety built into these, whether Ecoboost or Hybrid. They will not run in a manner that will allow them to self destruct (during warranty period at least) even if towing or in hot weather on 87 octane fuel, assuming the cooling system is not compromised or the oil is low or some other factor. Millions of these engines have been driving around on 87 octane for more than 10 years and it was the block design (cooling channels in between the cylinders) that caused most/all of them to fail, not 87 octane.

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