My 93 Octane Experiment! 2.0L EcoBoost Maverick

Bob The Builder · Mar 4, 2024

I hate spending money. I am cheapish as hell. OK, got that out of the way right off.

Prolly the one thing and really only thing that has bugged me about my Maverick has been the low RPM vibration we have noticed with the truck. Cruising around 30 or so there are times the RPM will drop to around 1200 or so and a slight vibration and or engine lugging will be evident. Even Consumer Reports mentioned it in one of their reviews of the 2.0 EcoBoost so not just me.

"The nonhybrid Maverick pickup trucks use an optional 250-hp turbo four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic, with front- or all-wheel drive. This powertrain gives robust acceleration, can tow up to 4,000 pounds, and gets 23 mpg overall, but its tendency to lug along at low revs sends annoying vibrations into the cabin.

Someone here mentioned using a higher octane gas to help alleviate the situation, so I waited until the low fuel light came on an filled the truck with 93 octane gas. Ouch!! $1.40 more a gallon for that over 87. Expensive fill up, but will it be worth it or did I just blow 20 bucks extra for gas I do not need?

After burning through 3/4 of a tank I am very pleased with the results. The so called vibration is, I would say, 90% gone if not more. Power has increased noticeably. Still monitoring gas mileage but I would guess that will increase a bit too.

Next tankful, 91 Octane to see if I get similar results and save 40 cents a gallon as well. Given how little I drive, even the 93 octane will be worth the extra money given the results I have seen so far.

The Real Maverick · Mar 4, 2024

Millions of people will tell you the higher octane had no greater energy.

But it may change the tune of the truck.

Don't overlook the power of the placebo effect.

Best to have wife or son fill up for you, and not tell you what octane is in there. Best to do a "blind" test.

Brianx · Mar 4, 2024

Bob The Builder said:
I hate spending money. I am cheapish as hell. OK, got that out of the way right off.

Prolly the one thing and really only thing that has bugged me about my Maverick has been the low RPM vibration we have noticed with the truck. Cruising around 30 or so there are times the RPM will drop to around 1200 or so and a slight vibration and or engine lugging will be evident. Even Consumer Reports mentioned it in one of their reviews of the 2.0 EcoBoost so not just me.

"The nonhybrid Maverick pickup trucks use an optional 250-hp turbo four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic, with front- or all-wheel drive. This powertrain gives robust acceleration, can tow up to 4,000 pounds, and gets 23 mpg overall, but its tendency to lug along at low revs sends annoying vibrations into the cabin.

Someone here mentioned using a higher octane gas to help alleviate the situation, so I waited until the low fuel light came on an filled the truck with 93 octane gas. Ouch!! $1.40 more a gallon for that over 87. Expensive fill up, but will it be worth it or did I just blow 20 bucks extra for gas I do not need?

After burning through 3/4 of a tank I am very pleased with the results. The so called vibration is, I would say, 90% gone if not more. Power has increased noticeably. Still monitoring gas mileage but I would guess that will increase a bit too.

Next tankful, 91 Octane to see if I get similar results and save 40 cents a gallon as well. Given how little I drive, even the 93 octane will be worth the extra money given the results I have seen so far.

i certainly notice that lugging too. i burn 89 octane. maybe i'll try some 93 as well. i do find though that a little goose on the accel pedal downshifts nicely.

710-oil-614 · Mar 4, 2024

The Maverick is mapped to 91 octane so if you can find it and fill with it, you should realize the full power of the EB.

I have only used 87 one time and I did not like the way the Maverick felt and drove, so I only fill with 93 (87, 89, 93 available to me). It's a tough pill to swallow knowing I could fill with 87 and save $15-20 but I won't do it.

The Real Maverick · Mar 4, 2024

Or change drive mode vs. spending more on gas.

Robber's Roost · Mar 4, 2024

Bob The Builder said:
After burning through 3/4 of a tank I am very pleased with the results. The so called vibration is, I would say, 90% gone if not more. Power has increased noticeably. Still monitoring gas mileage but I would guess that will increase a bit too.

Thanks for reporting back on this, that's very interesting that it made that much difference for you. I'm cheap too and was planning to only run 87 octane with my eco/awd 4k and live with the bit of power loss but I will probably switch to 92 now that I've run the numbers. Around me premium gas is only .30 more per gallon if I shop around. Since I only drive 5k miles per year, I estimate it's only an extra $50 per year to switch so worth the upgrade in this case to get a little better mileage, more power, and reduce the subtle low speed lugging vibration.

Exranger · Mar 4, 2024

I’ve run 91 from day one and have not experienced this lugging yet.

2020 GT500 · Mar 4, 2024

Sport mode will solve your issue. Start truck, dial up D, press mode switch 5 times, you are golden and problem solved. Yes, you must do each time you start vehicle. If highway cruising, 2 button pushes get ya back to normal drive mode and lower rpm with better fuel economy.

Shakesbear · Mar 4, 2024

710-oil-614 said:
The Maverick is mapped to 91 octane so if you can find it and fill with it, you should realize the full power of the EB.

I have only used 87 one time and I did not like the way the Maverick felt and drove, so I only fill with 93 (87, 89, 93 available to me). It's a tough pill to swallow knowing I could fill with 87 and save $15-20 but I won't do it.

I've had very good results with just 87 octane. Truck is very quick, no drag or vibration. Now, if I'm pulling my tear drop trailer, I'll bite the bullet and run 93 octane. I believe that is the recommendation in the manual as well.

hellokitty1984 · Mar 4, 2024

Bob The Builder said:
I hate spending money. I am cheapish as hell. OK, got that out of the way right off.

Prolly the one thing and really only thing that has bugged me about my Maverick has been the low RPM vibration we have noticed with the truck. Cruising around 30 or so there are times the RPM will drop to around 1200 or so and a slight vibration and or engine lugging will be evident. Even Consumer Reports mentioned it in one of their reviews of the 2.0 EcoBoost so not just me.

"The nonhybrid Maverick pickup trucks use an optional 250-hp turbo four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic, with front- or all-wheel drive. This powertrain gives robust acceleration, can tow up to 4,000 pounds, and gets 23 mpg overall, but its tendency to lug along at low revs sends annoying vibrations into the cabin.

Someone here mentioned using a higher octane gas to help alleviate the situation, so I waited until the low fuel light came on an filled the truck with 93 octane gas. Ouch!! $1.40 more a gallon for that over 87. Expensive fill up, but will it be worth it or did I just blow 20 bucks extra for gas I do not need?

After burning through 3/4 of a tank I am very pleased with the results. The so called vibration is, I would say, 90% gone if not more. Power has increased noticeably. Still monitoring gas mileage but I would guess that will increase a bit too.

Next tankful, 91 Octane to see if I get similar results and save 40 cents a gallon as well. Given how little I drive, even the 93 octane will be worth the extra money given the results I have seen so far.

I've never noticed a droning/lugging on my Maverick, and since day 1 I've always used 93 octane fuel. I'm not sure if that's the answer you're looking for, but I guess that's good enough for me. Recommended premium is reason enough to use 93, IMHO.

My Maverick and Me · Mar 4, 2024

Exranger said:
I’ve run 91 from day one and have not experienced this lugging yet.

Same for me. 91 since day one and I've not experienced any of this issues either.

Hammer · Mar 4, 2024

26k miles driven over 30 months with only 87 Octane and I have never had a issue with reduced engine power at any RPM. I even towed a light utility trailer ( 500 lbs ) to Florida and back ( 3k miles ) with no issues.
I only use Top-Tier gas, specifically Exxon or Sunoco. If I tow anything heavier I would use 93.

Bob The Builder · Mar 4, 2024

The Real Maverick said:
Or change drive mode vs. spending more on gas.

2020 GT500 said:
Sport mode will solve your issue. Start truck, dial up D, press mode switch 5 times, you are golden and problem solved. Yes, you must do each time you start vehicle. If highway cruising, 2 button pushes get ya back to normal drive mode and lower rpm with better fuel economy.

Nope. FX/4 here no sport mode. Not messing with ForScan until my warranty is up and that is 2 1/2 years away. For me, it's high octane or live with it.

nandesho · Mar 4, 2024

I know it is a completely different engine, but my 3.5 Ecoboost Explorer has the same low RPM 'lugging.'
I've found a happy median of price and reduced low speed shutter by using E15 88 octane. Maybe it will be the same for the 2.0 because they both lack a dual port+direct injection system.

Bob The Builder · Mar 4, 2024

Hammer said:
26k miles driven over 30 months with only 87 Octane and I have never had a issue with reduced engine power at any RPM. I even towed a light utility trailer ( 500 lbs ) to Florida and back ( 3k miles ) with no issues.
I only use Top-Tier gas, specifically Exxon or Sunoco. If I tow anything heavier I would use 93.

I assumed there would be some on here with no issues, given this has not been a major topic here. Appears from what I gather some have the issue, some not so much.

As a side note, my wife drove my Maverick today and said what the hell, the truck seems faster. LOL. I didn't really think it made that dramatic of a difference, but she thinks so, apparently.

Good to know from the community here that the 2.0 is mapped for 91. That will save some bucks and hopefully keep things the same.

My 93 Octane Experiment! 2.0L EcoBoost Maverick

Bob The Builder

Well-known member

The Real Maverick

Banned

Brianx

Well-known member

710-oil-614

Well-known member

The Real Maverick

Banned

Robber's Roost

Well-known member

Exranger

Well-known member

2020 GT500

Well-known member

Shakesbear

Well-known member

hellokitty1984

Well-known member

My Maverick and Me

Well-known member

Hammer

Well-known member

Bob The Builder

Well-known member

nandesho

Well-known member

Bob The Builder

Well-known member

Similar threads