300 HP with Higher Octane Fuel?

[rangerdanger]

A few 2019 Ford Ranger reviewers have mentioned that Ford engineers told them that you can achieve 300 HP in the 2.3L EcoBoost with higher octane fuel (91 Octane most likely). Any confirmation that this is true?

4:10 minute mark from Ford Ranger Test Drive and Review

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[Pinecrestjim]

I'd like to see that confirmed by an independent test facility.

The owner's manual does state this on page 137: "For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. See Towing (page 208)."

 

[Denver133]

A few 2019 Ford Ranger reviewers have mentioned that Ford engineers told them that you can achieve 300 HP in the 2.3L EcoBoost with higher octane fuel (91 Octane most likely). Any confirmation that this is true?

4:10 minute mark from Ford Ranger Test Drive and Review

OMG I appreciate the review but what is with the fake a$$ news backdrop!? Come on! It's not 1999.

 

[uthunter]

One of the other reviewers mentions 300hp with higher octane as well. I watched a bunch so I don't recall which one it was. I'm guessing it was mentioned in the intro before the drive event.

 

[Geoff]

The one thing that caught my eye was the torque spec. -- 310 ft-Lbs of torque is reached at 3000 RPM. Looks like Ford make this a torque monster.

 

[StAugKid]

In the Autoblog review it was also mentioned that premium fuel would net "about 300 hp". Hopefully some dyno charts will show up in the next month or so to shed some light. I know my Fiesta ST can run 87 but achieves peak power with 91+.

 

[rangerdanger]

 

[Toytec]

Not an octane question, but is anybody as picky as me as to what BRAND of fuel goes into their tank? This truck for me seems not the type to stop at Cosco or Wal-Mart for gas on a regular basis.

 

[toddiscdn]

I work in what we call the "chemical valley" here on the Ontario /Michigan border, we have a few refinery's here, but at the Imperial(Esso) one here in particular, there are tanker trucks from everywhere leaving it to Michigan and Ontario from Bilo and cosco to many other brand name stations. Thats why there is never a huge difference in price its just how much the mother corp, is willing to take a hit on fuel profits to get you in to buy other stuff.

So what Im saying is dont think that the fuel at Walmart came from a different place then the Shell or Esso down the road. Most stations use the nearest refinery for their fuel otherwise transportation cost would eat up the profit margin.

 

[Toytec]

Good to know. I see a lot of engine tear downs and some crappy valves. Then some with a spit shine at 100+K. Got to be something good out there.
On another note, as a child I lived all over southern Ontario and my dad narrowly missed the mark at getting a job at Ford. He ended up getting the job at Chevrolet engine Div Buffalo NY. as electrician. So we moved and history took that fork in the road.
He's 94 now and doing well. We constantly talk how we should have stayed in Canada. I have an uncle still around also in Chatham Ont.

 

[Floyd]

Look for a label which reads "top tier fuel". Its not always labeled but Mobil brand and BP commonly use Top Tier blend stock for RBOB, with proprietary detergent packages.
My gas cap on my Ford Escape was labeled something like "Use only BP fuel"
You may find a web site which can inform who sells what.

Toddiscdn is sorta right, the fuel might come from the same tank farm but it is specific for content.
It must meet RBOB standards but they arrive at that by blending every order and some go beyond mandated minimum quality.
Most importantly ... Stop only at High volume stations with pumps above street grade and DO NOT fill up at a station if the delivery truck is there.
I spent 35 years in a fuels refinery but I am not a blend expert.

 

[Stic-o]

The EcoBoosts are pickie. I had a Focus ST, and if I ran anything but decent brand gas, I'd get a check engine light. This was a result of carbon build up on the injections. The only way to solve it was to be hard on the car once in awhile and let her burn everything off. Or Ford could detune the car...which kind of defeats the purpose.

Since 2.3 in the Ranger already is detuned, it should not be so bad. But I would still be careful what gas I put in it. My 3.5 Explorer could care less what's in it.

 

[Bubbabiker]

My 2.7L isn't so picky on the brands but it is with the octane level. Performs much better with premium (or E30) vs. regular.

 

[uthunter]

My wife had a Mustang GT that we'd fill up at the local grocery store because they were the cheapest. Eventually we started to get a Check Engine light and after the dealer pulled the code they told us to start only using Chevron gas and it would clear it up. It only took two tanks of gas to fix it. A few months later I was in a hurry and went back to the grocery store to fill up and got the code within a mile of leaving. One more tank of Chevron fixed it.

I had previously believed that gas was all the same, but definitely don't anymore. I could cause or delete an engine code simply by what gas station I went to. That's more than enough evidence for me. I'll spend the extra few cents.

 

[uthunter]

What's more important, ethanol-free or octane level?

Our local stations have 87-91 with ethanol OR 88 with no ethanol. Thoughts?

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