Fuel economy and brand of gas

[Frenchy]

I'm no expert, but I don't think MPG correlates to longevity. It would make sense that MPG improves with premium since the computer can advance (retard?) the timing without knock. I intend to keep this truck long term (until a PHEV comes out). If Ford said premium was required it would be a different story, but they say regular is fine. The only time they even mention premium is when towing.

Correction. In the book it says use Premium for better Performance and Towing. Not just towing

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[RedlandRanger]

Correction. In the book it says use Premium for better Performance and Towing. Not just towing

My bad - but nothing about "if you use premium it will last longer".

 

[HenryMac]

I'm no expert, but I don't think MPG correlates to longevity. It would make sense that MPG improves with premium since the computer can advance (retard?) the timing without knock. I intend to keep this truck long term (until a PHEV comes out). If Ford said premium was required it would be a different story, but they say regular is fine. The only time they even mention premium is when towing.

Actually in the manual it states " For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended "

And they also recommend top tier fuel to help minimize deposits.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Actually in the manual it states " For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended "

And they also recommend top tier fuel to help minimize deposits.

I still maintain that is for performance, not longevity. It does recommend top tier gas "to help minimize engine deposits" - if premium had other benefits I'd expect there would be similar wording on the premium text.

Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is my take.

@P. A. Schilke - what is your take on this? Does running premium enhance longevity?

 

[Racket]

When Torrie built my Unleashed Tune I was concerned with availability of premium fuel and that I'd be towing an unknown amount. So midgrade is 89 octane and up - I never run 87 octane. My gas mileage is pretty similar although E30 (when I find it) is pretty satisfying at 94 octane. Generally I put in 93 octane from Sam's club.

I don't see differences in power, operating temp or mileage that makes a noticeable difference otherwise.

 

[9zero1790]

conditions may make more difference than brand. i say that based on many stations in my area all getting fuel delivered from the same trucks and one place lol. i drove from fort worth to just out side lubbock the other day and only got 20.2 mpg. it was windy the entire time and i was rolling 70 - 80 most of the way. i normally get 21.5 on the highway. so im thinking the wind is what made the difference.

 

[CB750F]

I can confirm this - I tried several tanks of premium to see if my MPG improved - it did, but it didn't make financial sense to continue, so I almost always put in 87 - unless I'm towing.

I wondered about this, tks for confirming.

 

[2020XLT]

2020 Ranger, 22 to 23 mpg, 2015 Ford Edge, 3.6, V6, 23 to 24 mpg. Sheets E15, 88 octane, currently $2.49 a gallon in NC, can't beat that price....

 

[Bob902]

As for what brand of gas I usually go with Conoco and Phillips 66(same company) since I get a discount just for using the APP.
[/QUOTE]



same. Stations here vary from 10 to 13 cents per gallon. My wife has her business account tied to the APP and gets 25 cents.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I still maintain that is for performance, not longevity. It does recommend top tier gas "to help minimize engine deposits" - if premium had other benefits I'd expect there would be similar wording on the premium text.

Like I said, I'm no expert, but that is my take.

@P. A. Schilke - what is your take on this? Does running premium enhance longevity?

Hi Rob,

The 2.3L was tested with a range of octanes but not the M+R/2 pump number...it was Research octane numbers from below design intent to above design intent. This is a programed dyno of the engines only at our dyno labs building. The program reflected durability cycling of the 90 percentile usage. These engines were then subjected to post test metrics like leak down tests...valve lash measurements etc, and compared against pre test numbers. Then when indicated, torn down and again measures with manufacturing specs on the various components that indicate being in question. If abnormalities were found further research and testing would be conducted. Not every test engine was torn down, but the engines reflected high and low end and middle test fuel octanes.

So this long prelude is I do not know the answer other than the engine should operate acceptably to achieve 150,000 miles of durability with any specified fuel in the owners manual. So unless you are running tunes that are above octane like racing fuel for example or Ethanol mixes all bets are off...

Tier one vs lower tier is not all about octane but on the additives blended into the fuel. I am not a fuel expert by any means so do not know what additives do what.... There is another whole thread that could be started if anyone here is a fuel expert or wants to google the tiers.

Not sure this helps much... At Truck Engineering, I only got involved when we has a failure or a dyno test when south...

Best,
Phil

 

[LostMy65]

Maybe 10 years ago I remember Chevron would give me easily 1 or 2 mpg more. Other than then, 24mpg was what I got from my previous car all the time no matter what station I filled up at.

 

[HenryMac]

When Torrie built my Unleashed Tune I was concerned with availability of premium fuel and that I'd be towing an unknown amount. So midgrade is 89 octane and up - I never run 87 octane. My gas mileage is pretty similar although E30 (when I find it) is pretty satisfying at 94 octane. Generally I put in 93 octane from Sam's club.

I don't see differences in power, operating temp or mileage that makes a noticeable difference otherwise.

E30 is 30% ethanol, right?

 

[Frenchy]

E30 is 30% ethanol, right?

Correct, just like E85 is 85% Ethanol. The max we are allowed to use according to Ford(without modifications) is E15 wich is available as some gas stations in the US

 

[RedlandRanger]

Hi Rob,

The 2.3L was tested with a range of octanes but not the M+R/2 pump number...it was Research octane numbers from below design intent to above design intent. This is a programed dyno of the engines only at our dyno labs building. The program reflected durability cycling of the 90 percentile usage. These engines were then subjected to post test metrics like leak down tests...valve lash measurements etc, and compared against pre test numbers. Then when indicated, torn down and again measures with manufacturing specs on the various components that indicate being in question. If abnormalities were found further research and testing would be conducted. Not every test engine was torn down, but the engines reflected high and low end and middle test fuel octanes.

So this long prelude is I do not know the answer other than the engine should operate acceptably to achieve 150,000 miles of durability with any specified fuel in the owners manual. So unless you are running tunes that are above octane like racing fuel for example or Ethanol mixes all bets are off...

Tier one vs lower tier is not all about octane but on the additives blended into the fuel. I am not a fuel expert by any means so do not know what additives do what.... There is another whole thread that could be started if anyone here is a fuel expert or wants to google the tiers.

Not sure this helps much... At Truck Engineering, I only got involved when we has a failure or a dyno test when south...

Best,
Phil

Thanks - that is interesting.

So here is a different question - what do you run in YOUR Ranger? Regular or Premium?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Thanks - that is interesting.

So here is a different question - what do you run in YOUR Ranger? Regular or Premium?

Hi Rob,

I run 87 Costco Tier one with occasional pumping from Circle K in Flagstaff which does not have a Costco... On the road when we were touring in the RV, the Ranger ran what was close to the RV Park. I do not track or record fuel economy...it is what it is. My last RV fill up in Flagstaff was over $550... It was what it was... I could have saved about $20 dollars to shop around, but when you are 40ft long and about 60ft with Ranger in tow....ease of entry and exit become key. Mostly use Truck Stops for the RV and if the Ranger needs fuel I pump it from the truck pumps if available so I do not have to break off the Ranger to go get fuel.

Short answer, I run 87 and try for tier 1 if I can get to it easily. My Ranger has never seen 93 or higher fuel...

Best,
Phil

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