Lower Octane Fuel

[Bad Bart Man]

I now have a little over 2100 miles on my Maverick. Up till now I have only used premium fuel. I drive conservatively, can I safely use a lower grade fuel. 2.0 Turbo

Sponsored

 

[GPSMan]

You can.

But 500 people are going to say you'll lose performance and 500 different people will say the performance loss is too small to notice.

Totally up to you to decide.

The regulation is any car in the USA must be able to run on any octane.

 

[ShadowChas]

I now have a little over 2100 miles on my Maverick. Up till now I have only used premium fuel. I drive conservatively, can I safely use a lower grade fuel. 2.0 Turbo

I have over 60k miles on mine never used anything other than regular unleaded 87 without any issues whatsoever. It’s only my opinion that it’s not worth the extra cost. I would only recommend using a higher quality station to buy at. There’s plenty of other places on the forum where people did price vs fuel economy and performance,etc… if you search - but to answer your question is YES not only is it safe but not a problem to run lower grade fuel.
Even the owners manual says it’s ok to run regular, but recommends using premium if towing or hard working warm weather.

 

[todd92]

You can.

But 500 people are going to say you'll lose performance and 500 different people will say the performance loss is too small to notice.

Totally up to you to decide.

The regulation is any car in the USA must be able to run on any octane.

There is no such regulation. There are many vehicles that require 91 or 93 octane. The Maverick is not one of them.

RTFM

 

[psuarmy]

I have over 60k miles on mine never used anything other than regular unleaded 87 without any issues whatsoever. It’s only my opinion that it’s not worth the extra cost. I would only recommend using a higher quality station to buy at. There’s plenty of other places on the forum where people did price vs fuel economy and performance,etc… if you search - but to answer your question is YES not only is it safe but not a problem to run lower grade fuel.
Even the owners manual says it’s ok to run regular, but recommends using premium if towing or hard working warm weather.

This is great advice. Generally octane doesn’t matter. Generally. Though I am a high octane person there is no “right answer”. But quality gas is always worth it in the long term. If you plan on selling early then buy whatever. But if you plan on keeping it for a long time quality gas is a better buy up than higher octane.

 

[LC48]

The manual recommends Top Tier gasoline (www.toptiergas.com) for the additive pack in those fuels. Also states the vehicle operates on minimum 87 octane, but for best overall performance use 91 octane....not just towing or hot weather.

Knock is the biggest concern, you will never feel it as the computers adjust too quickly.

 

[Mightybeast]

The manual recommends Top Tier gasoline (www.toptiergas.com) for the additive pack in those fuels. Also states the vehicle operates on minimum 87 octane, but for best overall performance use 91 octane....not just towing or hot weather.

Knock is the biggest concern, you will never feel it as the computers adjust too quickly.

Its fine to use 87. 11k miles on my only used 87. And yes all gas need to have detergent(top tier) in it and it will. On my research, Shell gas seems to have higher milage per gallon.

 

[hurrah]

I now have a little over 2100 miles on my Maverick. Up till now I have only used premium fuel. I drive conservatively, can I safely use a lower grade fuel. 2.0 Turbo

Octane isn't the question with me-its whether or not you can get lower octane ethanal free gas. Where I live the only ethanol free I can get is 92 octane and I plan on having my Maverick for a long time so for me the extra expense of the higher octane is an investment in longer life.

 

[NJBob]

You can.

But 500 people are going to say you'll lose performance and 500 different people will say the performance loss is too small to notice.

Totally up to you to decide.

The regulation is any car in the USA must be able to run on any octane.

My wife's sister Mercedes says premium is required. The higher cost of premium is not worth it. Regular is fine in the Maverick.

 

[LM42]

The regulation is any car in the USA must be able to run on any octane.

Are you sure about that?

 

[710-oil-614]

My Tremor ran like crap on top tier 87. Put me in the group that doesn't want to give up 25 ft lbs of torque running 87.

 

[wb5oxq]

I now have a little over 2100 miles on my Maverick. Up till now I have only used premium fuel. I drive conservatively, can I safely use a lower grade fuel. 2.0 Turbo

Manual says use 87 octane.

 

[LC48]

Language is important, here is a screenshot:

 

[710-oil-614]

Manual says use 87 octane.

No it does not.

The manual says the Maverick runs on a minimum pump octane rating of 87, meaning don't use anything less than 87.

The manual does recommend using 91 or higher for best overall vehicle and engine performance.

Whether an owner feels it is worth their money to fill with a top tier fuel and octane rating above 91 is entirely up to them.

Ford recommends it, but owners can get by on the minimum too.

 

[NJBob]

Are you sure about that?

My guess it will most likely run. But Ford recommends premium in the ecoboost. Mercedes says it's required. So results may vary.

Sponsored