To higher octane or not ?

[haycraftzack622]

The debate over octane will go on forever and there are valid arguments on both sides. For me it isn't octane that drives the issue but ethanol. Only gas I can get in my area with out ethanol is 91 octane and while I get a couple MPG better with it the additional 75 cents a gal doesn't pencil out as cost effective but I plan on having my truck for a long time and in my experience not contaminating it with ethanol is worth the extra cost!

Never use a gas with ethanol as ethanol is a hydrophilic compound and tends to attract water. Ethanol also breaks down fuel system parts and seals faster than regular gasoline.

Sponsored

 

[haycraftzack622]

So why does Ford "highly recommend" 91 for the hybrid which has a compression ratio of 13 to 1? Although they do say the min is 87. Is this just a CMA statement; or is there something to it? I do not know; but would really like to !!

They recommend 91 octane as it has less additives in the gas it also gives the best performance as 91 octane burns hotter and takes less fuel to produce efficient power.87 will work but you will notice a slight decrease in boost pressure in the ecoboost and lower mpg for hybrid.

 

[hurrah]

Never use a gas with ethanol as ethanol is a hydrophilic compound and tends to attract water. Ethanol also breaks down fuel system parts and seals faster than regular gasoline.

Exactly-and for me the question of MPG doesn't even enter into the equation. I don't drive my Maverick hard and probably will never tow anything with it as I have a 6.7
F250- but it does occasionally sit for spells which is even worse with ethanol. If anyone needs a refresher on ethanol leave a tankful of ethanol gas in a chain saw for a few weeks and then try to get it started! My local small engine repairman claims he owes his living to ethanol.

 

[haycraftzack622]

Exactly-and for me the question of MPG doesn't even enter into the equation. I don't drive my Maverick hard and probably will never tow anything with it as I have a 6.7
F250- but it does occasionally sit for spells which is even worse with ethanol. If anyone needs a refresher on ethanol leave a tankful of ethanol gas in a chain saw for a few weeks and then try to get it started! My local small engine repairman claims he owes his living to ethanol.

Definitely if you are driving a lot then yeah you can get by on ethanol but if your vehicle sits don’t use it.

 

[Raymundo76]

They recommend 91 octane as it has less additives in the gas it also gives the best performance as 91 octane burns hotter and takes less fuel to produce efficient power.87 will work but you will notice a slight decrease in boost pressure in the ecoboost and lower mpg for hybrid.

Thanks

 

[RedRider]

98% of the fuel sold today in North America is E10 with 10% ethanol and traces of toluene to prevent the ethanol from separating. Many states and all provinces have mandated E10 as the minimum ethanol in vehicle fuels. Pure ethanol has about 1/3 less energy per unit volume, so while it is better for the environment than straight gasoline, that E10 mix should translate into about 3% less mileage. On the plus side, the ethanol additive will do a better job of keeping your valves and injectors clean than straight gasoline, and that should translate into better mileage overall. It also absorbs water more readily, so it is relatively important to keep your tank almost full especially in the spring and fall and not let the fuel sit for weeks like in a lawnmower engine. If you don't let it sit in the driveway sweating water into the fuel while you're on vacation, I highly doubt that you would notice the 3% mileage loss.

 

[Raymundo76]

98% of the fuel sold today in North America is E10 with 10% ethanol and traces of toluene to prevent the ethanol from separating. Many states and all provinces have mandated E10 as the minimum ethanol in vehicle fuels. Pure ethanol has about 1/3 less energy per unit volume, so while it is better for the environment than straight gasoline, that E10 mix should translate into about 3% less mileage. On the plus side, the ethanol additive will do a better job of keeping your valves and injectors clean than straight gasoline, and that should translate into better mileage overall. It also absorbs water more readily, so it is relatively important to keep your tank almost full especially in the spring and fall and not let the fuel sit for weeks like in a lawnmower engine. If you don't let it sit in the driveway sweating water into the fuel while you're on vacation, I highly doubt that you would notice the 3% mileage loss.

Sounds good (for AZ). Was Kitchener in Kartum (sp) ?

 

[TomD]

The debate over octane will go on forever and there are valid arguments on both sides. For me it isn't octane that drives the issue but ethanol. Only gas I can get in my area with out ethanol is 91 octane and while I get a couple MPG better with it the additional 75 cents a gal doesn't pencil out as cost effective but I plan on having my truck for a long time and in my experience not contaminating it with ethanol is worth the extra cost!

I took two driving trips with my hybrid. Each trip was about 300 miles each way. I always topped off and used premium gas for both trips. I can’t say that I got any better gas mileage. The average was just under 38mpg.
During the trips I changed the gear setting to ECO mode.
One difference was my wife was driving. She is not shy about driving 20 mph over the speed limit. The jackrabbit starts and rapid acceleration when on the highway might have impacted the mileage.
I am not disappointed because I still feel that I am ahead of where I was.

Sponsored