Anyone use Premium Fuel?

[Raymundo76]

I have no idea if 87 octane will cause problems. That's why I asked you.

You think it's possible Ford says that using 87 octane is ok so they can sell you something after warranty? Interesting idea but I doubt it's true.

Who knows; but I am sure that your car will run better on 91. Also Ford would not say 87 was OK if they thought it would be a problem during the warranty. Ford does have a 5yr 60000 mile powertrain warranty. So the risks with using 87 do not appear high. The most likely issues could be carbon buildup and valve wear. Maybe increased maintenance costs. As others have noted, the advanced computers will most likely make it difficult to tell if 91 makes a big improvement. Its really a crap shoot. You pay your money and take your chance. Good luck!

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[TKranbuhl]

Used top tier 92 premium for about the first 10 tank fulls. Switched to top tier 87 ever since. Have not noticed any difference in performance or mileage. But then again I'm pretty old and drive like an old man and don't really care about the MPG.

 

[Raymundo76]

That simple 1-line in the manual encouraged me:
" For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. "

And since I plan on driving it less than 4000 miles a year (towing doesn't count), the $.50 cost difference for those yearly 100 gallons is only $50, $4.16 a month. I doubt it is really "needed", but given all the fuel costs I'm saving compared to the old S-10, I can certainly afford spending the $4.16 a month on the off-chance the Ford folks might be right.

I like your logic. For me it is hot in Az, damn hot (very dusty as well) so also change the oil at a reasonable interval; and only use top tier gas.

 

[Ranch]

That simple 1-line in the manual encouraged me:
" For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. "

And since I plan on driving it less than 4000 miles a year (towing doesn't count), the $.50 cost difference for those yearly 100 gallons is only $50, $4.16 a month. I doubt it is really "needed", but given all the fuel costs I'm saving compared to the old S-10, I can certainly afford spending the $4.16 a month on the off-chance the Ford folks might be right.

Thanks. Using 91 or higher octane to achieve best overall performance makes sense to me.

 

[migraine]

I've noticed better performance and a 2+mpg improvement with my EB(not hybrid) while running 91 octane in Eco mode.
It's enough of an improvement vs the lesser price gas to stick with 91octane.
In all of my other trucks, I never noticed a difference to justify the higher octane/price and I was surprised I noticed it on this EB truck.
-Brian

 

[Raymundo76]

I've noticed better performance and a 2+mpg improvement with my EB(not hybrid) while running 91 octane in Eco mode.
It's enough of an improvement vs the lesser price gas to stick with 91octane.
In all of my other trucks, I never noticed a difference to justify the higher octane/price and I was surprised I noticed it on this EB truck.
-Brian

Has anyone w/hybrid in a hot climate had experience w/91 octane ?

 

[GPSMan]

Why do you think Ford recommends 91 ? That recommendation does not make a hybrid more desirable does it; so Ford has no reason to recommend 91 other than that it is what they must think to be best for the engine. Of course it could be just a CYA. However , the hybrid gets such good MPG that the added cost of 91 is not an issue for me. If it is for you, use 87; but 5 years from now don't bitch if you have problems!!

Ford does not "recommend" 91 octane for hybrids. But they do for boosted engine.

Many many many parts of the "manual" are the same for both variants of the truck.

Many parts of the manual are "cut and pasted" together for both variants of the truck.

Do you think a top level engineer wrote the book in your glove box? Hell no!
It was cut and pasted probably by a college intern with "some" desktop publishing experience.

The type of ENGINE determines the fuel you should use, not a "general purpose" guidebook in your glovebox that has 10 times more pages in it about the radio than the engine.

Tip: Read up on Atkinson Cycle engines, then Hybrid vehicles and then make an informed decision.

 

[GPSMan]

Has anyone w/hybrid in a hot climate had experience w/91 octane ?

No but I towed 3200 lb trailer over the Sierra-Nevada Mountain Range on a 98°F day that included 7% uphill grades and only used regular 87. Never considered anything else since the Hybridized Atkinson Engine does not need anything else. Net 19.9 MPG at mostly 60 MPH.

 

[GPSMan]

From Toyota World:

"Atkinson cycle engines actually run best on lower-octane fuels. The slower flame propagation of high-octane fuel is detrimental to such an engine, and Prius owners who have made the mistake of running premium fuel in their cars have been rewarded with misfires, check engine and hybrid system warning indicators"

 

[RichardCranium]

From Toyota World:

"Atkinson cycle engines actually run best on lower-octane fuels. The slower flame propagation of high-octane fuel is detrimental to such an engine, and Prius owners who have made the mistake of running premium fuel in their cars have been rewarded with misfires, check engine and hybrid system warning indicators"

Interesting, I will take note for my Prius.

As for those that like to argue about fuel, the computer is programmed to run on 87 fuel in Both engines. As the manual says, performance is better with 91 (at least for EB).
read the forums, this is a weekly debate. Many users have ran their own tests. Most find no performance increase with the hybrids, which is no surprise based on type of engine and programming and those with the EB have noticed faster acceleration and more power when running higher octane .
For those of you that are worried that engine damage will occurs due to running 87 fuel, don’t. The computer can sense and adjust timing way before the engine would ever get damaged, and if it can’t adjust, it will throw a check engine light because something is wrong.
I will admit, most of my knowledge and experience with engines is pre “everything turbo” days. I have been out of the mechanic industry for about 16 years. But I have owned a Chevy Cruze with the terrible 1.4 turbo engine (anyone else have to replace their valve cover?) for 225,000 mostly trouble free miles. I have always ran 87octane, manual says I can run 87, and the power is good enough for me.
most people on this forum (from what I read, 70% are over 65) are not going to drive in a way that they notice the difference between the fuels in their normal, everyday driving. For those that want to spend more, I say do what makes you feel happy and don’t worry about what others say about the fuel you run.
For me, a full wallet makes me happy, and 50 cents a gallon or about $7.50 more per tank does not make me happy, so I will stick with 87 unless I feel I need more power…which I probably won’t.

 

[Raymundo76]

Ford does not "recommend" 91 octane for hybrids. But they do for boosted engine.

Many many many parts of the "manual" are the same for both variants of the truck.

Many parts of the manual are "cut and pasted" together for both variants of the truck.

Do you think a top level engineer wrote the book in your glove box? Hell no!
It was cut and pasted probably by a college intern with "some" desktop publishing experience.

The type of ENGINE determines the fuel you should use, not a "general purpose" guidebook in your glovebox that has 10 times more pages in it about the radio than the engine.

Tip: Read up on Atkinson Cycle engines, then Hybrid vehicles and then make an informed decision.

Really, suggest you read my prior posts.

 

[vinnymac]

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?

just filled up with 93 and omg what a performance difference. I’m at a stage where I don’t drive that much so premium is a manageable cost.but most of all it’s fun to drive

 

[Maverick Grabber]

That's a steep markup to wake up to..

B....omics?

 

[GPSMan]

just filled up with 93 and omg what a performance difference. I’m at a stage where I don’t drive that much so premium is a manageable cost.but most of all it’s fun to drive

I know you are being sarcastic.

But I don't think you know

THIS IS A HYBRID SUB-FORUM

 

[Vols44]

I did a write up a year ago when my local Costco had 91 octane for 20 cents per gallon more than 87. The MPG improvement was 3. A 13.8 gallon tank a fill up is $2.76 more. If the price per gallon is the same you get two extra gallons of gas.

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