No 91 octane fuel in my area

[kevink]

Higher octane only matters under heavy loads or wide open throttle.

In daily life, if you only push the go pedal half-way down or less you could use 85 octane at sea level all day long.

I still would prefer to go with the octane requirements as specified in the manual.

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[Mudduck]

My fuel door says 87+

 

[kevinmccune]

I have used 87 octane since it's been a thing. Only use higher for my small engines and that's only because that comes ethanol free . I don't think I've ever seen ethanol free 87 although it may exist.

want to make your own? get a glass container and a little know how-water will actually grab the ethanol and you can drain it off

 

[kevinmccune]

I would encourage you to read about Ford's octane adjust ratio monitor. This is not "Magical Thinking", and in the case of the Ecoboost, it is indeed reality in every way. It does not "require" 91+ octane, will allow the use of 87 octane with no issues, and also take advantage of 91+ octanes for optimal performance. You might also refer to the owner's manual, which explicitly states this.

premium (91+ octane) is recommended for maximum performance, especially when towing or in hot weather to avoid engine knock. I haven't heard an engine ping since I got rid of a 2005 Chevy Colorado with an Inline 5 cylinder engine. That truck couldn't haul or pull 600 pounds without pinging. It was a truck in name only. The Mav would easily whip it's donkey. The computers of today precludes engine pinging so I am going to ignore Ford's advice and wean off high octane. All my motorcycles, current and past, recommend 93 octane. I use it religiously since the tanks aren't that big. In southern Illinois most of the stations carry 91 octane max, so I carry an octane additive in my saddle bags. My Big Dog Mastiff with a 117 Ci S&S engine and an S&S Super Sidewinder Carburetor has NEVER pinged or rattled due, IMO, to the fact I have always use 93 octane.

On another fuel note, I had to add STP water remover to the Maverick when I found the gas door popped open and water standing on top of the filler tube. You know, where the gas cap used to be. I don't want the gas line freezing on me next winter. I prefer proactive rather than reactive. Yet another Maverick annoyance perpetrated on me by the Ford Gods.

the ethanol will probably grab the water for you.

 

[kevinmccune]

reminds me of people that put mothballs in the fuel tank and stop in the crankcase,what I would recommend on a high mileage engine is stary using oil with moly disulfide in it(( proven to extend engine life ,

 

[Tbone289]

want to make your own? get a glass container and a little know how-water will actually grab the ethanol and you can drain it off

True, but keep in mind that removing the 10% ethanol will result in lowering octane rating of the remaining fuel by about 3 points.

 

[rlhdweman]

reminds me of people that put mothballs in the fuel tank and stop in the crankcase,what I would recommend on a high mileage engine is stary using oil with moly disulfide in it(( proven to extend engine life ,
[/QUOTE
I remember the moth ball thing, someone told me about that 45 years ago & I didn't believe them, so I put a moth ball in a quart jar of gasoline, even after a month is did not dissolve.

 

[Meeka]

Why use Premium when you don’t need it? All you’re doing is blowing out the exhaust.

But I like my exhaust pipes clean!

 

[dochawk]

Can I ask why you would put 91 in the Maverick. I have heard that the only real benefit is to prevent ping? I

knock, not ping.

On the hybrid, there is absolutely no point in going past 87 unless you're actually getting knock--at which point you should have it towed to a mechanic rather than driving it!

Higher octane allows higher pressure without "detonation".

The Ecoboost, and many other modern vehicles, will advance the timing further and allow higher turbo boost with higher octane. Many vehicles that say they need premium will simply retard timing on lower octane to prevent knock--but not all!

 

[Lone Star Proud]

I took this picture while fueling on Christmas day 2025 to show my gas choices. Very few stations have 91 octane. 89 octane is 71 cents more than 87 and 93 octane is $1.21 more. I use 89 octane a lot less than 87, grimacing every time. The gas door has an 87 label on it but I feel that I am not maintaining my truck. I'm WAY to obsessive about this. Note the 2.38 price. Four months later it is $3.98. Ouch!

I find 87 works just fine, but I do use only Top Tier gas, however.

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