Top Tier+ Gasoline

[Chops]

Curious what the actual chemistry is, but I guess if they have found additives that actually help GDI engines in a meaningful way, it will probably be worth it for owners that want to get the maximum efficiency and life from their vehicle. Worth noting that for that Maverick, the hybrid is a port injected engine, and the 25+ EB is GDI + port, so this will probably only benefit 22-24 EB engines that were GDI only.

Personally I just run top tier fuel when I can, and a bottle of techron on the last tank of fuel before an oil change. I would run top tier all the time, but sometimes there is a $0.40 difference in the price of fuel at Sam's Club vs. the other stations (fuel distribution racket...) where I live. Unfortunately Sam's is not top tier like Costco.

Here are the ingredients of the Motorcraft version - probably very similar (same?) as Techron.

Petroleum Distillates, Polyether Amine(PEA), Propoxylated Alcohol, Hydrocarbyl amine,
Naphthalene

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[Chops]

Maybe for the next couple fill ups I'll make sure to go to stations selling Top Tier and see if I get any sort of performance increase.

You will not see a performance increase - especially not at first.

Top Tier gas is meant to prevent a performance DECREASE over time due to carbon buildup.

However, Top Tier+ is supposed to actually clean off existing carbon while preventing future buildup like Top Tier does.

 

[WJOHNM]

In this Middle Kingdom between ICE era and the coming EV era, a lot of different cars REQUIRE high octane or factory recommended additives. If I don't use "super", the X5 has noticeable, but not debilitating, issues going up over the Saddle Road. In my Transit(not Connect) and the Mav, I can use whatever gas is cheapest and there are no noticeable differences going over mountain passes. I wonder if in the Horse Era there was breeder recommended feed or additives for "enthusiast" horses?

Now, most vehicles except "enthusiast" vehicles can run just fine on 86-93 octane fuel with no owner added additives being added for additional benefit. Apparently there are benefits to running high octane in the Mav, but I've never tried it. Lower octane is much cheaper, and the engine is made to run on it without issues. I suspect that any MPG improvements by using 92 would not eclipse the additional cost, and it would simply cost more to operate. Might be worth it if pulling a trailer or something, though.

Bill on my second Maverick and use the cheapest fuel I can find lately around 279 gal and works fine, no issues, I may put a bottle of Techron every oil change 4/5k miles, don't drive much anymore.

 

[JonP_Maine]

The gas makes a difference. Costco has good gas. Exxonmobil, Shell, Chevron to name a few. Run away from Sam's Club, Walmart, 7-11 and some others. Low tier gas is usually purchased from the lowest cost provider and can have moisture, and perhaps worse, contamination. Top Tier has detergents that can make a big difference is carbon buildup. If you are driving an Ecoboost like me and want your truck to last, Top Tier gas is a must as well as frequent oil changes (I do 3000 to 4000 miles) The cheapo gas is not worth it long term.

 

[RJC]

Here NL Canada i use Ultramar 91 premium octane in the Mav, being a direct injection engine. Hopefully keeps the carbon buildup in check.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Having water in solution isn't the problem, it's that it holds more water when warm, so when it gets cold it drops it out. So it's the water out of solution that fucks things up.

If you are talking about the ethanol holding water in solution, yep, but gasoline itself doesn't hold water in solution, thus the phrase "oil and water don't mix", because they don't.
That moniker also applies to petroleum distillates...

Since water is heavier than gasoline, it will tend to accumulate down on the bottom of the tank, down where the fuel pump lives.
Driving will slosh it around, but when the engine is running on a low amount of liquid, there will tend to be a higher concentration of water vs gasoline, if water is present, and low levels of fuel also means there is more room for condensation to form in the first place.

I'm sure these factors generally apply regardless of the tier level of the fuel you start out with.
AFAIK top tier fuels still contain ethanol, with the primary difference being the detergent packages...

 

[MaverickDragon]

In the 2022-2024 Hybrids I have never found horsepower to be lacking while towing close to 4k.
The weakest links are FWD for traction on unpaved surfaces...

I'm thinking that may be why the increased tow capacity of the 4K tow option now requires AWD...

 

[MaverickDragon]

Here NL Canada i use Ultramar 91 premium octane in the Mav, being a direct injection engine. Hopefully keeps the carbon buildup in check.

The carbon buildup problem on a DI engine isn't typically able to be addressed with fuel additives, because the intake valves never get washed by fuel like they do in a port injection system.

Fortunately, your 2.0 Ecoboost has both port and direct injection, so the primary reason the DI carbon buildup problem exists should not be applicable.

Like Martha Stewart would say "that's a good thing"...

With Subarus, OTOH, regular intake valve cleaning by walnut blasting is required because the current model engines are DI only. One of a number of reasons I chose the Maverick...

 

[Chops]

The carbon buildup problem on a DI engine isn't typically able to be addressed with fuel additives, because the intake valves never get washed by fuel like they do in a port injection system.

You’re right about the intake valves - but don’t forget about the fuel injectors. The carbon buildup there is reduced by Top Tier & why it’s recommended for DI engines.

Motorcraft calls its additive/cleaner “fuel injector cleaner” and not “engine cleaner” like Techron does. Motorcraft more honest

 

[MaverickDragon]

Point well taken!

 

[sanpablo]

With all due respect to my fellow mavericktruckclub members I am not going down this rabbit hole, lol.

 

[Cherokee]

Again IMO there is no such thing as a mechanic in a bottle or can.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I'm thinking that may be why the increased tow capacity of the 4K tow option now requires AWD...

I think it has to do more with weight distribution. The weight of the trailer tongue de-weights the front drive wheels.
That doesn't mean you CAN'T tow 4000+ lbs with the FWD, you just have to pay attention. And only attempt it for short hauls on mostly flat surfaces. Can you imagine the pickle you'd be in launching a boat and the front wheels get unweighted or even off the ground on the ramp?!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

15 gallons of E10 should have 1.5 gallons of ethanol.

At 100 proof (50% water) the water will freeze at -25°F.

A) not many live (drive) below -25°F

B) how careless does one have to be to get more than 0.75 gallon (3 liters) of water in a gas tank?

Since ethanol was added to gas, trouble from water in the tank has become non-existent.



"Water and ethanol are
completely miscible, meaning they mix in all proportions and water will not "drop out" on its own at normal temperatures and pressures. The only way for water to separate (drop out as ice) is by freezing the mixture to very low temperatures, which depends on the proof of the solution."

100 proof at -25°F

160 proof at -75°F

180 proof at -110°F

The ethanol added to gasoline is about 199 proof at the start.

 

[ArizonaBillLariat2025]

Well even Ford seems to suggest higher octane fuel in the manual. Kia suggests Techron fuel system cleaner in their turbos...but I get that 2025 Ford Mavericks get gas in two places to do the gas wash. I still think cleaner burning is a good thing. I do get about a mile per gallon better mpg with 89 fuel. Currently at 32.2 mpg on the gas ecoboost. I will use Techron the last fillup before an oil change and use premium or clear gas when it isn't extremely overpriced. But yes 87 is fine. The proof is 75,000 miles down the road.

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