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.

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