Anyone use Premium Fuel?

[HelloFromAMaverick]

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?

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[Exranger]

Always for me, it’s my preference. Top tier if it’s available. On the 2017 escape 2.0 Ecoboost as well. Octane is very good for boosted engines. I had 2 cng vehicles previously, civic and F-150 dedicated natural gas. CNG is 130 octane. But it is a very clean dry fuel.
On the other hand my wife’s fusion energi PHEV gets the cheapest gas from rotten robbie and delivers 42mpg and 20 miles of EV range. I’m jealous when I see her 525 mile range on the dash after a fill Up! I do add 6oz of Lucas every month or so.

Many varied viewpoints on this topic

Edit, oh yeah CNG was $1.50 per GGE (gallon) since 2016,until strangely it went to $5.28 overnight, go figure...why I have a Mav now...

 

[BradnChristine]

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.

 

[BradnChristine]

Since I moved to a 40MPG Maverick from a 13 mpg S-10, if Premium gas was $9.00 a gallon instead of $3.00, I'd be paying the same $$$ for the same miles. And since Ford put that info in the manual, I know 91 octane isn't a waste of octane/money on an engine not made to run that high.

 

[HelloFromAMaverick]

Always for me, it’s my preference. Top tier if it’s available. On the 2017 escape 2.0 Ecoboost as well. Octane is very good for boosted engines. I had 2 cng vehicles previously, civic and F-150 dedicated natural gas. CNG is 130 octane. But it is a very clean dry fuel.
On the other hand my wife’s fusion energi PHEV gets the cheapest gas from rotten robbie and delivers 42mpg and 20 miles of EV range. I’m jealous when I see her 525 mile range on the dash after a fill Up! I do add 6oz of Lucas every month or so.

Many varied viewpoints on this topic

Edit, oh yeah CNG was $1.50 per GGE (gallon) since 2016,until strangely it went to $5.28 overnight, go figure...why I have a Mav now...

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

 

[2020 GT500]

In hot weather an engine has a higher tendency to knock or ping. Only if you are knocking pinging is 91 going to help. Otherwise a lesser grade is just fine. All grades contain the same energy content, so mileage is the same, regardless.

 

[Exranger]

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

Imagine filling your truck for $28 and then it goes to $85 overnight, but you still get 11 mpg! I realized my clean energy adventure was doomed...I sold my truck to Carvana for 4K. Yes I was shocked by the offer, I bought it for $3500.

 

[BradnChristine]

Interesting comments from the government on the subject:
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/octane.shtml

 

[HelloFromAMaverick]

Interesting comments from the government on the subject:
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/octane.shtml

"If your owner's manual says your vehicle doesn't require premium but says that your vehicle will run better on higher octane fuel, it's really up to you. The cost increase is typically higher than the fuel savings. However, lowering CO2 emissions and decreasing petroleum usage by even a small amount may be more important than cost to some consumers."

Seems like I'll have to run a few tanks to see what happens

 

[FWDMav]

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.

 

[mcc63303]

Since delivery in March 2022 (18 months) I've only used 87 octane in my 2022 XL Hybrid. In fact, most of the gas is from Sam's which is supposed to not have as much additive as majors have. No issues at all, don't drive much, has just hit 11,000 miles and since first tank has an average MPG of 47mpg. Waiting for my 2024 Hybrid XL (2023 roll over)to arrive and I'll sell the 2022.

 

[Steven Chandler]

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?

My first 600 miles already since 10/21 when I took delivery, this Mav is awesome on 91. It also makes ur engine run cleaner W/O any additives...Steven Chandler

 

[GPSMan]

I only use 87.
I only go 750 miles per tank, usually.
Once went 790 miles.

Currently is getting colder and I'm using heat every morning. Today I had to go a distance at high speeds (72-73 MPH) to make it to an appointment with little time to spare and only got ~37 MPG for that trip.

 

[GPSMan]

My first 600 miles already since 10/21 when I took delivery, this Mav is awesome on 91. It also makes ur engine run cleaner W/O any additives...Steven Chandler

This is a hybrid sub forum.
Hybrid distinctively has no benefit from higher octane due to the
specific Atkinson cycle engine.

EcoBoost engines see some HP gains at high throttle with higher octane.

 

[Steven Chandler]

This is a hybrid sub forum.
Hybrid distinctively has no benefit from higher octane due to the
specific Atkinson cycle engine.

EcoBoost engines see some HP gains at high throttle with higher octane.

Right, I opted for the 2.0 turbo...took delivery 10/21...Cyber Orange...

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