87 Octane?

[Ctip001]

87 all the time for me. No issues.

That's all I plan to use. I've only had mine for 3 tank fills, but so far 87 is fine. I had 2 Buick Regals prior (2015, 2017) both with 2.0 turbos (259hp, 295lb torque) and they also ran fine with 87.
I believe the manufacturers specify the higher octane in order to reach their stated, peak HP. But for practical use, do you really know that its delivering 240hp instead of the stated 250? Nah.

Sponsored

 

[Senior Master Ford Guy]

All true. The problem with these threads is a lack of understanding by some that the Ecoboost Maverick & the Hybrid Maverick have different fuel specs, and will react very differently as such. Anything beyond 87 for the hybrid is completely unnecessary, as you explained above. The EB however, will respond very favorably with higher octane gas, especially under load and when max performance is desired. For those who wonder why this is, just think about (simplistically) cylinder pressure during combustion.....much higher with an FI engine (typically..), hence the benefit of the higher octane fuel, as it corresponds to this pressure (heat) , along with valve & ignition timing.

Bottom line, stop arguing about fuel as if all Mavericks are the same!

I either stand corrected or concur. Or both. Page 172 of an ecoboost Maverick owners guide does in fact state " Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. " with a BIG 87 in bold numbers on the page. However, it does go on to say " For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. " So this is indicating that you can run on 87 for everyday use, however under loads and in hotter weather where spark knock may cause the pcm to retard timing to stop knock, you can and should use higher octane for best performance. Good call dalola,!!

 

[2LeeT]

I always run 87 octane. Since day 1 and no issues. It runs great. I now have a SCT BDX with 5star tune running 87 and it's a blast to drive

 

[ucfhubbard]

Living in South Florida, we've experienced fuel supply disruption as a result of the record-breaking rainfall that affected Ft. Lauderdale a week and a half ago. As a result, certain stations are completely out of fuel or are only limited to the cheapest grade, 87 octane. After work, I decided to head to a fuel station since I was only on one bar and the fuel light popped on. I went to a Mobil about a mile down the road. The only grade they had was 87 octane so I bit the bullet and filled with it anyway. Ever since I got my Maverick, I've only put 89 octane which makes it run optimally. After putting 87 in for the first time however, the car was not happy about at all. It keeps sputtering, bucking, and seems sluggish on acceleration. Even the engine note sounds a little different, like it has a deeper tone. I told my dad about it and suggested getting octane booster at an auto parts store. I'll give it a try but I'm writing this because I'm questioning whether or not to ever use 87 octane again despite the vehicle being rated for it. I've read the Ecoboost engine is made to run on 87 but I'm sure it's only if you're not looking for optimal performance, fuel economy, or driving range. Premium is not required, however, but I'm definitely starting to see the positive affects it does have on an engine.

Does anyone else run 87 octane in their Mavericks, Ecoboost or Hybrid? If so, what are the results? Anyone else having performance issues with cheaper grade fuel?

I have an XLT since March 2022 and have only used 87 fuel. Have over 18,000 miles on it with No issues. My issue I is that it is in the shop as front CV joints went bad. Anyone else with this issue?

 

[RLader]

87 always & forever

Higher octane is for cars specifically designed for it. Then, it only comes Into play in those cars at wide open throttle. Any car can use 87, 86, or 85 in emergency conditions just keep it off of wide open throttle.

Higher octane is for drag racing, sanctioned or otherwise.

100+ is for drag racing or pure ethanol. Part of his problem maybe as stated it could be bad gas. Ethanol absorbs water. There are additives that will take water out. Ethanol boosts octane.

 

[RLader]

I run 91/93 in any of my vehicles that have a turbo or supercharger. It's probably overkill and not necessary for daily driving, but makes me feel better for the engine.

If you are happy go far it. If your two liter puts out over 300 hp then you need a higher octane than 87. Otherwise you are doing what you feel comfortable. So be happy and enjoy life.

 

[lsudelts]

Living in South Florida, we've experienced fuel supply disruption as a result of the record-breaking rainfall that affected Ft. Lauderdale a week and a half ago. As a result, certain stations are completely out of fuel or are only limited to the cheapest grade, 87 octane. After work, I decided to head to a fuel station since I was only on one bar and the fuel light popped on. I went to a Mobil about a mile down the road. The only grade they had was 87 octane so I bit the bullet and filled with it anyway. Ever since I got my Maverick, I've only put 89 octane which makes it run optimally. After putting 87 in for the first time however, the car was not happy about at all. It keeps sputtering, bucking, and seems sluggish on acceleration. Even the engine note sounds a little different, like it has a deeper tone. I told my dad about it and suggested getting octane booster at an auto parts store. I'll give it a try but I'm writing this because I'm questioning whether or not to ever use 87 octane again despite the vehicle being rated for it. I've read the Ecoboost engine is made to run on 87 but I'm sure it's only if you're not looking for optimal performance, fuel economy, or driving range. Premium is not required, however, but I'm definitely starting to see the positive affects it does have on an engine.

Does anyone else run 87 octane in their Mavericks, Ecoboost or Hybrid? If so, what are the results? Anyone else having performance issues with cheaper grade fuel?

I run 87 in mine from day one. I have a EcoBoost. I have been averaging 30.5 miles per gallon. I live in the country. My speeds are 35,45, & 65. When I don’t drive to the city I will average 31.5. It has been getting better and better with each tank. First tank was 28.5 local only.

 

[RLader]

Sounds like bad fuel for sure, but here's a little " education" on Octane: octane is a rating of a fuels stability and resistance to combust under pressure( without a spark). The higher the number, the higher combustion pressure required to combust the fuel. If you run higher than the recommended octane rating you are wasting money twofold: first is the obvious waste by paying higher price for fuel. Secondly, because higher octane is a higher resistance to combustion, your engine is not combusting the complete shot or spray of fuel from your injectors, because it is not designed to burn this higher octane fuel. This unburned fuel skews your oxygen sensors into thinking your engine is actually running lean( they don't see the proper amount of hydrocarbons and see an excess amount of oxygen) , therefore the powertrain control module richens the fuel mixture to counter this perceived "lean" condition and now you are using more fuel which equates to less mpg. Over my years as a technician another argument I've heard about using higher octane is " my engine runs better and cooler with higher octane". Although the running better part is pretty much a perceived falsity, an engine can run cooler with higher octane fuel because as previously stated, there is unburned fuel in the combustion chamber which " quenches" the normal combustion temperatures leading to a cooler running engine. Long story short( woops too late), use what the manufacturer designed your engine to use, that is what it is calibrated for( unless you install an aftermarket tuner ). Octane rating is simply a rating of fuels resistance to combust under pressure, it has nothing to do with fuel " quality", there is no magic power in higher octane fuel, nor is there a sensor that tells the pcm it can lessen the milliseconds that your injector is open to give you better fuel economy. If there were, the government would have forced oil companies to stop making 87 octane and only make 93( or higher) a long time ago, and auto manufacturers would have also joined in as this would have raised their CAFE ratings to appease the government. Neither( the manufacturers or the government) would have cared about the fact that we would then be paying higher prices for fuel.

Great explanation. But, I have one question. Why is it recommended to use a higher octane when towing?

 

[GPSMan]

Great explanation. But, I have one question. Why is it recommended to use a higher octane when towing?

Because you will be at closer to wide open throttle a higher percentage of the time.

 

[RLader]

Because you will be at closer to wide open throttle a higher percentage of the time.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mervin the Maverick]

I've only had my EB for 6 weeks, but thus far I have only put 89 octane non-ethanol gas in the tank. It costs roughly .50 more per gallon, but it's better for the engine. The mileage is about 3 mpg better than the dealer-furnished initial tank full.

It is NOT “better for the engine”. It just means the ECU will adjust for lower octane.

 

[FordDiehard]

It is NOT “better for the engine”. It just means the ECU will adjust for lower octane.

I was referring to ethanol-free gas vs 10-15% ethanol being better for an engine. Alcohol tends to dry out rubber fuel lines over time. There is also the possibility of water contamination and fuel separation.

 

[todd92]

I was referring to ethanol-free gas vs 10-15% ethanol being better for an engine. Alcohol tends to dry out rubber fuel lines over time. There is also the possibility of water contamination and fuel separation.

True for chain saws, not true for cars.

Sponsored