Anyone use Premium Fuel?

[Guv]

I have tried 93 octane 10% ethanol, 90 octane 0% ethanol 88 octane 15% ethanol and 87 octane 10% ethanol. So difficult to notice any difference in using different octane MPG on a hybrid. My highest MPG was using 88 octane 15% ethanol but then again I don't keep track on how much I was driving city vs highway. My Maverick hybrid is mostly highway use. My lowest so far is 27 highway (30 mph wind gusts & 80 mph speed limit) and highest is 41 combined. Lifetime average is 37 for 11.6K miles.

I have come to the conclusion that using higher octane will not give better mpg on a hybrid.
If it is an Ecoboost, I can see the value in higher octane gas.

I put almost 100,000 miles on our C-Max that got passed on to our son when I retired. My commute was 90 miles a day 90% highway. I experimented with different octane fuels and got some predictable results but honestly, my driving style and traffic conditions were responsible for much more drastic changes in mpg. I have never driven a vehicle that could give you such a wide range of fuel mileage (35-50+ same commute)
Great little car, still going strong.

Sponsored

 

[Vaportrail]

Hybrid owners are gassing up an atkinson cycle engine, which doesn't benefit at all from high octane fuel-

The 2.0 engine, on the other hand, is a gasoline direct injection turbo, that can definitely get some benefits from premium...

 

[Maui]

High test for me.

This old man does not want low test(osterone)!

 

[Flight Test]

I only put in Top Tier, premium fuel per the manual. Same with my other vehicles.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Any first hand experiences on MPG with 91+ vs 87? Would it be worth the cost in the long run?

No. Not worth the extra cost, at least not in the Hybrid.

You might consider using only stations that carry Top-Tier® gas, though. It has more detergents and other additives to keep your engine cleaner. It's usually in all grades and octane ratings, if a station carries it.
https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

 

[HelloFromAMaverick]

No. Not worth the extra cost, at least in the Hybrid.

You might consider using only stations that carry Top-Tier® gas, though. It has more detergents and other additives to keep your engine cleaner. It's usually in all grades and octane ratings, if a station carries it.
https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

Costco for the win

 

[OleFordGuy]

Always run 93 in mine just as long time habit in my vehicles

 

[CajunMick]

From what I understand the one ingredient that rises octane level in gasoline is tulene.

However the big question is how much to add to gasoline to safely increase the octane level.

Those racing engines in formuLa or road cars run high turbo boost and RPM, and typically require 130+ octane fuels, to not detonate, blow them up.

And keep in mind the high octane fuels burns slower. You might notice lower performance, like pickups speed. ??

Modern engines have anti knock sensors, and engine retard timing to protect them from pre-detonation. Timing of engine sparks affect engine performance.

 

[2lbgill]

Hey all,
Was reading through the manual and it says:

"Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
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."

Any first hand experiences on MPG with 91+ vs 87? Would it be worth the cost in the long run?

The energy content of denaturant is about equal to the energy content of pure gasoline. In general, vehicle fuel economy may decrease by about 3% when using E10 relative to gasoline that does not contain fuel ethanol.

 

[Tim d]

I would u

Hey all,
Was reading through the manual and it says:

"Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
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."

Any first hand experiences on MPG with 91+ vs 87? Would it be worth the cost in the long run?

I would try the more expensive 91 octane if towing or driving in very hot weather only.and if I didn't notice much of a difference i would stick to 87.

 

[MtShark]

I pretty much always feed mine with 91 octane, ethanol-free. That is because of the manual (that you posted) and my truck sips fuel... and it is reasonable in my part of the country at $3.459. My truck told me "Life's too short for cheap gas". If I were in SoCal, I'd probably be looking for the cheapest 87 octane for a lot more.

I’m in socal. Have always ran 87 in my vehicles. With the maverick and it’s amazing mileage, plus what the manual says, I decided to use 91. The dealer filled me up and must’ve used regular because I just did my first fuel up with 91 and I feel the mileage is better and runs smoother

 

[Keyrey2002]

I have tried 93 octane 10% ethanol, 90 octane 0% ethanol 88 octane 15% ethanol and 87 octane 10% ethanol. So difficult to notice any difference in using different octane MPG on a hybrid. My highest MPG was using 88 octane 15% ethanol but then again I don't keep track on how much I was driving city vs highway. My Maverick hybrid is mostly highway use. My lowest so far is 27 highway (30 mph wind gusts & 80 mph speed limit) and highest is 41 combined. Lifetime average is 37 for 11.6K miles.

I have come to the conclusion that using higher octane will not give better mpg on a hybrid.
If it is an Ecoboost, I can see the value in higher octane gas.

I agree with you 100%. With a hybrid, you aren’t towing much which is where I would also say higher octane might help to reduce “Blow by”. Sine these engines are mostly running at light load. I see no advantage to higher octane.

 

[Guv]

From what I understand the one ingredient that rises octane level in gasoline is tulene.

However the big question is how much to add to gasoline to safely increase the octane level.

Those racing engines in formuLa or road cars run high turbo boost and RPM, and typically require 130+ octane fuels, to not detonate, blow them up.

And keep in mind the high octane fuels burns slower. You might notice lower performance, like pickups speed. ??

Modern engines have anti knock sensors, and engine retard timing to protect them from pre-detonation. Timing of engine sparks affect engine performance.

So that’s why FORD is saying to run premium to avoid retarding spark.
Talking about Ecoboost, not hybrid.

 

[SDakota]

I only use 91 octane, but I also don't put that many miles on my AWD, XLT, 2.0 FX4 with Sport Mod.

 

[TheSEARCH]

I believe it was motor trend that did a test with a few grade fuels on a few cars. Yes the higher octane they measured a little more HP and a little better mileage BUT in no way was it cost effective,. . Will it make you engine last longer , rather doubtful. BUT to each there own.

Sponsored