Mixing regular and premium gas

[colinl]

it's not a linear average, though. Half 87 and half 91 gives something a bit above 89, for example.

it actually is linear, but you can't really know how much gas is currently in your tank until after you've filled it full.

if you pay attention when filling you can make decent guesses at it, but that's the main reason why trying to mix flex fuel at the pump using E85 and anything else is tough and can be inaccurate (when or if you estimate wrong).

but, yeah. if you have 8 gallons of 87 and 8 gallons of 91, you do indeed have 16 gallons of 89.

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[MakinDoForNow]

it's not a linear average, though. Half 87 and half 91 gives something a bit above 89, for example.

When I am over 3500 altitude I may buy 1/3 88 to the 86 regular sold there particularly if I am headed back to my 1100 altitude 87 area.

 

[Tim d]

I know it is ok to use regular gas, but it says in owner manual that in the summer you may have to use premium. My thought is to alternate between the two at fill ups. Thoughts?

I think only use premium if you experience knocking when towing? Have only used regular and no knocking when towing our 3100 pound boat.

 

[VICKY]

I know it is ok to use regular gas, but it says in owner manual that in the summer you may have to use premium. My thought is to alternate between the two at fill ups. Thoughts?

Not sure the pumps will switch back and forth but good plan?

 

[James K]

It's better than buying just premium in that you are only wasting money half of the time.

He has an EB, different animal to your hybrid. The EB can certainly take advantage of premium in both efficiency and reduced carbon build up.

 

[SubtlySeismic]

I see a world of difference between 87 and 93 octane in my ecoboost. I was very surprised by the difference and won't be going back. It's worth the extra $ for me to have the truck run much better and not have to worry about as much carbon build up.

 

[Richard2212]

I read the "mid grade" is just mixing the regular and premium..

In most Gas Stations Regular and Midrange are both Midrange.
So just use "Regular" and your will be fine. The Knock Sensor will protect your Engine from any Octane related problems.

On my 2.3L Turbo I always use "Regular" and have eliminated the Knock Sensor with no issues.

 

[colinl]

The Knock Sensor will protect your Engine from any Octane related problems.

here I disagree. the engine can only pull timing so much.

if you're using 87 in an ecoboost and you're towing or driving hard, especially in summer heat, you still could definitely have detonation that cannot be mitigated until you lift off the throttle and decrease the load.

this is why it says in the manual that premium is recommended for towing. Ford knows that in some driving situations, 87 is not sufficient.

I just use premium all the time.

 

[ripperAZ]

I know it is ok to use regular gas, but it says in owner manual that in the summer you may have to use premium. My thought is to alternate between the two at fill ups. Thoughts?

When possible I like to use ethanol free fuel because you get 3 to 7% more mileage out of it at Any octane ethanol tend to lower your mileage and also evaporates more quickly so in odd places like Phoenix, you lose a little bit all the time. Here is a list of ethanol, free gas stations some states that have many some states have none.
https://www.pure-gas.org/

 

[Carlitos_92]

In most Gas Stations Regular and Midrange are both Midrange.

Huh? Even a casual one-eyed drive-by past the internet would prove that completely false.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/the-myth-of-midgrade-gas/

 

[Richard Harrison]

I know it is ok to use regular gas, but it says in owner manual that in the summer you may have to use premium. My thought is to alternate between the two at fill ups. Thoughts?

I bought my Maverick in July here in Texas. It drives wonderfully on regular here in the Texas heat.

 

[TennesseeVic]

I recently switched to Shell high octane and am seeing worse mpg.

 

[dn325ci]

The octane sensing and processing is pretty advanced on the latest EB Fords and VW EA888's and other major manufacturers shipping a high volume of turbo 2.0's. You can quite safely run 87 (as recommended by Ford on your filler door, BTW) or 91 for a little more power - your choice and there is no downside in reliability.

I also have the Cobb Tuning Accessport that takes advantage of 93 octane. Because I have the Cobb Accessport, I've been testing a couple tanks of 93 vs. a couple tanks of 87, switching the tuning maps respectively.

Here's my take: I don't notice the extra 20-30HP in everyday usage much. And the gap between 87 pricing and 91/93 pricing has grown dramatically since 2020. The 0.25 cents per gallon price premium for premium gas is now 1.00-1.25 per gallon increase.

So the extra 10% power increase is now costing an extra 40-50% gas price increase. I'm not finding it a good value at the present time, but obviously this is a personal choice.

 

[Tim d]

Wow,all the different opinions on this subject! I have used nothing but 87 in almost 3 years of owning our maverick. We tow a 3100 lb boat, double snowmobile trailer and a sxs. The truck has always ran great.if i was putting 91 or 93 in for the past 3 years it would be several hundred dollars wasted. Bottomline,do what you think is right and don't worry about others.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I know it is ok to use regular gas, but it says in owner manual that in the summer you may have to use premium. My thought is to alternate between the two at fill ups. Thoughts?

With the ecoboost, you may get better mileage with higher octane gas.

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