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Anyone use Premium Fuel?
- Thread starter HelloFromAMaverick
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Thank you for asking!
Yes, I do use premium in my EcoBoost Maverick, and in my Coyote Mustang. I can readily tell the difference in performance. When running regular, the engine responds like it is slightly asthmatic and there is phlegm in her throat. There is noticeable hesitation in the throttle response. Put in premium, and she runs like a frisky young filly with her nostrils flared, kicking up her heels while cantering across a fresh spring pasture, totally loving life.
These are fine machines and deserve to be able to deliver their full potential.
The $8 difference in cost per tank full is well worth it to me. YMMV.
Yes, I do use premium in my EcoBoost Maverick, and in my Coyote Mustang. I can readily tell the difference in performance. When running regular, the engine responds like it is slightly asthmatic and there is phlegm in her throat. There is noticeable hesitation in the throttle response. Put in premium, and she runs like a frisky young filly with her nostrils flared, kicking up her heels while cantering across a fresh spring pasture, totally loving life.
These are fine machines and deserve to be able to deliver their full potential.
The $8 difference in cost per tank full is well worth it to me. YMMV.
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Hybrid gets 87 only, primarily because it is rarely driven in anger, and even if it is, it is designed for it. On the other hand, a boosted engine can certainly benefit, especially on pre turn of the century engines without the design and engineering of today. Cost of premium locally, generally 91 octane, is a solid 30% more expensive, or ninety cents to a dollar more a gallon. One thing to watch for on the premium fuels, 90-93 octane, is the presence of ethanol, which is used as an octane booster. The lack of ethanol in itself can make a ~3% difference in economy, not necessarily the octane rating. Most 93 octane locally does contain ethanol, the 91 does not, so it pays to observe. Many fuel stations have only two tanks, 87 and 91, and a blender pump is used to mix the two for 89, which I do use on occasion when the price approaches that of 87, and ~5% ethanol.
One caveat. As a person from the middle of the last century, I have many beliefs and habits. I think many of them are now outdated because of technological advancement and sophisticated engine controls. When I was growing up, who dreamed that 1hp per cubic inch, the holy grail, would be not only commonplace, but it would also be on the low end of the spectrum in family sedans. Some of the old habits aren't harmful, but they are wasteful in the 21st century.
One caveat. As a person from the middle of the last century, I have many beliefs and habits. I think many of them are now outdated because of technological advancement and sophisticated engine controls. When I was growing up, who dreamed that 1hp per cubic inch, the holy grail, would be not only commonplace, but it would also be on the low end of the spectrum in family sedans. Some of the old habits aren't harmful, but they are wasteful in the 21st century.
Quite the vivid explanation of the improvement you are getting with premium.
Kind of a funny thing, I have always used premium in my wife’s Ecoboost Escape and my Maverick and F-150 Coyote. I have never experienced any of the stumbling, hesitation or similar complaints from any of them. Like you, very worthwhile for us and our driving pleasure.
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2.0l ecoboost Top fuel only
Not necessary for the Hybrid option
Not necessary for the Hybrid option
???
Top Tier (not top fuel) is recommended for both. And it's a good idea for any vehicle. It's a standard for cleaners in the fuel, not something with extra performance.
Octane is separate from Top Tier. The hybrid will not benefit from extra octane. The ecoboost, however, can benefit from the octane, though. It can both advance spark and increase boost. Mileage and power will be better as octane increases (reportedly up to 97), but is unlikely to cover the higher cost of fuel.
Due to the higher compression (including boost), the ecoboost will suffer more from not using Top Tier (the standard came from manufacturers, not the oil company. It is about having enough cleaners to safely increase compression).
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I have the 2 liter eco-boost engine in my maverick and currently I fill up with 91 octane gas. In sport mode this baby moves very quickly. May try lower octane soon to see if there’s a difference. Truck has 2000 miles on it, 3 months old.
2.0l ecoboost
91 octanes only
91 octanes only
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The Atkinson engine in the hybrid has high compression, but it's a different beast than the Otto cycle Ecoboost. The difference between regular and premium's octane rating is primarily to prevent detonation/knock. In high heat and heavy load towing, you would only really NEED super if you got knock on regular, but in a modern car, the systems under the hood generally prevent that anyway. In this thread about hybrids, maximum performance is a red headed step daughter compared to fuel efficiency.
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I have only run high octane in my hybrid when towing near max capacity, and while doing that I am always getting much lower MPGs. I would not expect much improvement under normal driving conditions between 91 and 87..
The entire point of this thread is whether octane makes a difference ON THE HYBRID!
It absolutely makes a difference on the ecoboost, and every other engine that adjusts timing and/or/ turbo boost based upon available octane. Anyone who questions or doubts this has nothing to contribute to the discussion.
Octane is not energy; it is the ability to resist premature detonation during high compression. The more octane, the higher the compression possible, and thus increased power and/or mileage.
That is *all* octane does.
Entirely.
When timing/boost are not being adjusted, octane has excactly two levels: enough to prevent knocking,, and not enough. (there is a tiny transition zone where incipient knock can be detected with sensors).
But all of this has nothing to do with the hybrid, and this is the hybrid subform!!
there won't be. Unless you're somehow driving it in a way that is causing knock. Back to the enough not enough dichotomy
My bad, have a good one
The entire point of this thread is whether octane makes a difference ON THE HYBRID!
It absolutely makes a difference on the ecoboost, and every other engine that adjusts timing and/or/ turbo boost based upon available octane. Anyone who questions or doubts this has nothing to contribute to the discussion.
Octane is not energy; it is the ability to resist premature detonation during high compression. The more octane, the higher the compression possible, and thus increased power and/or mileage.
That is *all* octane does.
Entirely.
When timing/boost are not being adjusted, octane has excactly two levels: enough to prevent knocking,, and not enough. (there is a tiny transition zone where incipient knock can be detected with sensors).
But all of this has nothing to do with the hybrid, and this is the hybrid subform!!
there won't be. Unless you're somehow driving it in a way that is causing knock. Back to the enough not enough dichotomy
This is an experiment I typically do with all my new vehicles (never had a turbo). I typically run the lowest octane the manual calls for and once completely broken in I test it with the highest octane available at the pump.
Most vehicles have had an increase in milage but the benefit has never been worth the extra gas cost so back to the minimum.
I'm curious to know how this will go with the hybrid. I will likely try it this summer... picking the truck up this week
Most vehicles have had an increase in milage but the benefit has never been worth the extra gas cost so back to the minimum.
I'm curious to know how this will go with the hybrid. I will likely try it this summer... picking the truck up this week
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