Lower Octane Fuel

[Mightybeast]

Problem is that fuel additives are necessary to have in order to prevent gas separation, premature adjust and corrosion/oxidation of internal parts. The ugly truth of it its ethanol/alcohol based. Alcohol produces les torque/power. Putting more ethanol in the fuel is counterproductive. At same time..... Alcohol is hydrophilic...meaning that 1 drop of water will separate water and alcohol. And as we know water and alcohol do not mix. But good about it that standard tank full of gas will be able safely burn cup of water with out any issues.

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[Mightybeast]

Just as I was saying... It will be hard to notice difference. It is hard to have stable reading with 87 to start with. I only use 87 as manual recommended. And it's hot in Oklahoma as you know...not issues with knocking or performance.

 

[RRaynor2]

Incorrect. Computer will not do that again unless you will force it to do. Do you remember in old days when mechanic used to do any work on intakes, filters and fuel system they had to unplug battery? The reason was Cpu will learn habits of driving in the first 14 min of driving. And adjust fuel/air ration accordingly. While it is possible to disconnect EB battery...... And wait 15min.... It is a bit problematic with Hybrid.

The Ford manual for my 1.5L Ecoboost Fusion literally says it will retard the timing if you use 87, which results in a slight loss of power and mpg. While the Maverick manual does not explicitly state this, it is also a direct injection Ecoboost engine. Did the ford engineers put that in the manual for fun? Is Ford in a conspiracy with big oil to trick you into buying premium? A Direct inject, turbocharged engine will achieve optimal engine performance with premium fuel. That is just a fact.

I agree with you that it probably isn't worth the extra cost, though. The gains are only noticable under significant under load (towing). The video you posted is not applicable. That is a small, naturally aspirated generator. Even so, his data suggested improved MPG and performance, even if minute.

The science behind engine knocking is fairly well understood. Timing adjustments are needed to prevent knock, and lower octane fuel is more prone to knocking.

This is from the wiki on "engine knock". You can see the very first entry is retarding the timing. Your onboard computer will absolutly do this if you use 87.


Detonation can be prevented by any or all of the following techniques:

• retarding ignition timing
• the use of a fuel with high octane rating, which increases the combustion temperature of the fuel and reduces the proclivity to detonate
• enriching the air–fuel ratio which alters the chemical reactions during combustion, reduces the combustion temperature and increases the margin to detonation
• reducing peak cylinder pressure
• decreasing the manifold pressure by reducing the throttle opening or boost pressure
• reducing the load on the engine

 

[RRaynor2]

Just as I was saying... It will be hard to notice difference. It is hard to have stable reading with 87 to start with. I only use 87 as manual recommended. And it's hot in Oklahoma as you know...not issues with knocking or performance.

I see now that you have a hybrid. You will definitely not benefit from using premium at all. Hybrids use a naturally aspirated, port injected Atkinson engine. OP has an Ecoboost, which will see slightly improved performance and MPG, per Ford engineers and the laws of Thermodynamics.

 

[LM42]

Incorrect. Computer will not do that again unless you will force it to do. Do you remember in old days when mechanic used to do any work on intakes, filters and fuel system they had to unplug battery? The reason was Cpu will learn habits of driving in the first 14 min of driving. And adjust fuel/air ration accordingly. While it is possible to disconnect EB battery...... And wait 15min.... It is a bit problematic with Hybrid.

That is not incorrect. Modern cars will retard or advance timing electronically all the time. In part due to the knock sensor, which is the reason why sometimes 87 can be problematic especially in hot weather or when towing or otherwise under heavy load.

 

[710-oil-614]

Just as I was saying... It will be hard to notice difference. It is hard to have stable reading with 87 to start with. I only use 87 as manual recommended. And it's hot in Oklahoma as you know...not issues with knocking or performance.

No. The manual does not recommend 87.

MTC can sit here and debate all day long the benefits of using 91 or higher, but one thing is not up for debate - The manual does not recommend that you use 87.

The manual clearly recommends 91 or higher. Show me where I am wrong.

 

[GPSMan]

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

They recommend it.
Required to meet some performance standard, probably.
Required to run, not likely.

 

[GPSMan]

Are you sure about that?

Yes.

 

[Aspidochelone]

I definitely notice improved acceleration using 93. My wallet notices the difference too.

 

[LM42]

Yes.

Please post the law. I googled it and found nothing to support your claim

 

[Ranch]

No. The manual does not recommend 87.

MTC can sit here and debate all day long the benefits of using 91 or higher, but one thing is not up for debate - The manual does not recommend that you use 87.

The manual clearly recommends 91 or higher. Show me where I am wrong.

Does the Maverick owners manual recommend that owners not use 87 octane for normal driving?

 

[NJBob]

They recommend it.
Required to meet some performance standard, probably.
Required to run, not likely.

That would be a big save for sure. Not sure why she even got a Mercedes. Thinks it's a status symbol I guess.

 

[BlueSnake77]

My Maverick seems to get the best mileage using 90 octane non-ethanol (that is the highest octane non-ethanol I've been able to find). Better than 93 octane ethanol blend even.

 

[OneAlienBoi]

We run 85 in our hybrid, no issues. You take a tiny bit in terms of performance, but that's about it.

 

[NJBob]

Nice you can get non ethanol gas. Can't get that here in NJ.

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