Octane Ratings

[fob63]

I guess being retired so long that I've never remember seeing this rating.

85 octanes? I can't remember seeing that option at the pumps.

How can turbo cars handle this? Heck my wife's car we used mid-grade (89). Ranger does (91).

On an article I read they call mid-grade (87)???

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[AzScorpion]

85 is usually found in higher altitude areas like Colorado because of the lower air density. It can be used in lower performance vehicles but I wouldn't use it especially in out Rangers. I don't remember seeing up in the area I was in AR.

https://rexenergycorporation.com/85-octane-gas/

Using 85-octane gas is fine for vehicles that are low-performance, use carburetors, or mostly travel at high altitudes. Otherwise, putting lower-octane gas in modern engines will bring in numerous issues:

Reduced Engine Performance
When vehicles designed for higher-octane gasoline are supplied with 85-octane gas, the fuel will burn much less efficiently due to incompatible compression ratios.

As a result, the car keeps combusting unpredictably and struggles to control itself during acceleration, braking, or climbing steep inclines.

Decreased Fuel Efficiency
Modern vehicles often come with turbochargers or higher compression ratios, which require the premium properties of higher gasoline grades to operate efficiently.

Therefore, when supplied with 85-octane gas, the engines fail to complete the full combustion cycle, wasting lots of energy. Do not be surprised if fuel costs increase and your visit to filling stations is more frequent.

 

[JohnnyO]

I guess being retired so long that I've never remember seeing this rating.

85 octanes? I can't remember seeing that option at the pumps.

How can turbo cars handle this? Heck my wife's car we used mid-grade (89). Ranger does (91).

On an article I read they call mid-grade (87)???

The owner's manual tells you to use at least 87 regardless.
I use 89, I've found that the gas mileage is better and so it doesn't really cost more to use.

 

[Frenchy]

Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and I believe Idaho have 85. New Mexico has 86 and this is due to location with Elevation. Also follow what the book states. The lower octane was designed for older vehicles with Carburators and unfortunately hasn't gone away. With modern Fuel Injection it benefits us to stick with what the vehicle calls for vs going with lower than what's recommended. Going with a

 

[Ohwell]

I wouldn't put anything less than 89 octane in mine. We have 93 octane here, and I give it a drink of that every now and then during the summer months too.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Apparently, some stations at elevation in BC and Alberta have 85 octane fuel. In the rest of the country, nope, just 87, 89, 91, and 93. My favourite station has 94 Octane “Ranger Fuel”.

I may or may not have added some text to that image but the 94 Octane fuel is real. I should get some stickers made and start putting them on the pumps.

 

[SymChris]

$1.67 for 94? Where is this unicorn? Or is this a dated picture

87 is $1.64 here just west of Toronto this morning.

 

[Frenchy]

$1.67 for 94? Where is this unicorn? Or is this a dated picture

87 is $1.64 here just west of Toronto this morning.

Don't forget that is by the Liter. Here in the US we have it by the Gallon and depending on location it seems to be less for 91

 

[Racket]

Freedom Units! Keep in mind E88 is 15% ethanol and in my mind the lowest octane I'd run in an untuned Ecoboost. Midgrade typically starts around 89 octane and is widely available on the Eastern seaboard so I asked Unleashed to build my tune around that. When I asked Torrie about E30 (30% ethanol and 94 octane) he said no problem, just more performance.

 

[Frenchy]

Freedom Units! Keep in mind E88 is 15% ethanol and in my mind the lowest octane I'd run in an untuned Ecoboost. Midgrade typically starts around 89 octane and is widely available on the Eastern seaboard so I asked Unleashed to build my tune around that. When I asked Torrie about E30 (30% ethanol and 94 octane) he said no problem, just more performance.

You mean E85? Also that is 85% Ethanol and runs much higher in octane and cools the engine very well.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

$1.67 for 94? Where is this unicorn? Or is this a dated picture

87 is $1.64 here just west of Toronto this morning.

Hey Chris - you have a sharp eye. Yeah, that picture is a bit dated. I don’t think we’ll see those prices again.

 

[Racket]

You mean E85? Also that is 85% Ethanol and runs much higher in octane and cools the engine very well.

I can get E85 but from perusing other Ecoboost forums only specific vehicle can get kits to run straight E85 (104 octane!) which is an inversion of E88 15% ethanol. The US 5G Ranger ain't one of them although if I splurge on 89-90 octane ethanol free (super expensive) I may top off with three-ish gallons of E85 to sort of get 94-95 octane.

Often referred to as Unleaded 88 or E15, "E88" is a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. It is approved for use in all passenger vehicles manufactured in 2001 or newer, offering a higher octane (88) while typically priced 5 to 15 cents cheaper than standard regular gas.

I guess this is where I get to referring to E88 when it should just be 15% 88?

Totally anecdotal but it feels the power is very smooth under aggressive pedal application. Since I really don't 'need' performance I just run Costco premium 99% of the time because of the convenience and cost.

I do feel higher octane whether acheived by ethanol free ($$$) or a higher percentage ethanol besides just going with the higher priced button on the pump is going to be better for the motor over time.

Notice I don't mention gs mileage... that's totally a right foot issue.

 

[Frenchy]

I can get E85 but from perusing other Ecoboost forums only specific vehicle can get kits to run straight E85 (104 octane!) which is an inversion of E88 15% ethanol. The US 5G Ranger ain't one of them although if I splurge on 89-90 octane ethanol free (super expensive) I may top off with three-ish gallons of E85 to sort of get 94-95 octane.



I guess this is where I get to referring to E88 when it should just be 15% 88?

Totally anecdotal but it feels the power is very smooth under aggressive pedal application. Since I really don't 'need' performance I just run Costco premium 99% of the time because of the convenience and cost.

I do feel higher octane whether acheived by ethanol free ($$$) or a higher percentage ethanol besides just going with the higher priced button on the pump is going to be better for the motor over time.

Notice I don't mention gs mileage... that's totally a right foot issue.

That's not E88, but 88 Octane Fuel which is one point above 87 Octane. Some places call it a more eco friendly regular fuel, but it's just E15, not E88

 

[Racket]

That's not E88, but 88 Octane Fuel which is one point above 87 Octane. Some places call it a more eco friendly regular fuel, but it's just E15, not E88

And cheaper than 87 octane. I don't think the MPG is any worse and the cost difference makes it worthwhile if it's available for untuned Ecoboosts.

I sure miss E30, can't find it 'round these parts.

 

[JohnnyO]

And cheaper than 87 octane. I don't think the MPG is any worse and the cost difference makes it worthwhile if it's available for untuned Ecoboosts.

I sure miss E30, can't find it 'round these parts.

I run E15 88 when I can get it. Regular gas here is 10% ethanol anyway unless you want to spend $6 a gallon for ethanol-free. If I can't get E15 88 then I get 89.

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