Octane Question

[turfman]

Good Morning All,

So this is the first vehicle I have ever had that I have actually read the owners manual cover to cover. In the manual it states to run 87 octane fuel in the truck. Easy enough to do for the lower elevation folks as that is your regular fuel. For us here in the mountains, our regular octane fuel is 85. Just wanted everyones thoughts on the 85 octane vs 87 octane? Here, 87 is obviously the "plus" gas, so it's 10 or 15 cents more per gallon. Not a big deal if that saves the turbo, which is my concern. I had a 2014 Escape before I bought the Ranger. I had it at sea level for two years, then moved out here. I was told by numerous places that I took it for oil changes that the turbo was leaking. Always just used 85 octane in it....now I am wondering if using 85 had something to do with the turbo issues.

Sorry for the rambling, probably could have shortened that post.....

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[THLONE]

I have never seen any scientific testing of octane coming out of gas pumps but I suspect that it varies depending on a lot of factors. If you drive like a nascar wanabe then put in higher octane. The trucks computer adjusts for different octane. The owners manual does say use higher octane for heavier loads, and that includes nascar wanabes.

 

[Tim H.]

Good Morning All,

So this is the first vehicle I have ever had that I have actually read the owners manual cover to cover. In the manual it states to run 87 octane fuel in the truck. Easy enough to do for the lower elevation folks as that is your regular fuel. For us here in the mountains, our regular octane fuel is 85. Just wanted everyones thoughts on the 85 octane vs 87 octane? Here, 87 is obviously the "plus" gas, so it's 10 or 15 cents more per gallon. Not a big deal if that saves the turbo, which is my concern. I had a 2014 Escape before I bought the Ranger. I had it at sea level for two years, then moved out here. I was told by numerous places that I took it for oil changes that the turbo was leaking. Always just used 85 octane in it....now I am wondering if using 85 had something to do with the turbo issues.

Sorry for the rambling, probably could have shortened that post.....

Just an FYI for you. I use 93 here in Maryland only because I can get it cheap at Sams Club nearby + it helps w/MPGs & performance. I‘ve used 89 when Sams Club wasn’t available but never used 87. I get 22 around town & 26-27 on trips.

 

[quirkybar8]

Per https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/octane.shtml. I got there from https://tap.fremontmotors.com/trusted-auto-professionals/is-85-octane-ok-to-use-at-altitude. I imagine if the manual states 87 as minimum, it's a safe route anyway.

What is 85 octane, and is it safe to use in my vehicle?

The sale of 85 octane fuel was originally allowed in high-elevation regions—where the barometric pressure is lower—because it was cheaper and because most carbureted engines tolerated it fairly well. This is not true for modern gasoline engines. So, unless you have an older vehicle with a carbureted engine, you should use the manufacturer-recommended fuel for your vehicle, even where 85 octane fuel is available.

 

[dtech]

it's not about damaging the turbo but possibly the engine if you run octane less than manufactures min recommendation - the engine management with a turbo will compensate for the thinner air at higher elevations, running octane less than the min recommended can cause some turbo engines to experience pinging and elevate the cc temps. So na engines in CO can use 85 octane but many turbos will need min of 87.

 

[cb4017]

You would probably be ok with 85 octane but I would stick with the minimum recommended 87 octane. For warranty reasons if nothing else. Personally I put 91 octane in my Ranger.

A new station offered 85 octane here for a while. I don't think it went over well as all the pumps were relabeled to 87 octane a few months later.

 

[tivct]

The truck will be safe on 85 octane but you will take a performance hit. Ford's software recognizes low octane, and will limit boost to prevent pre-ignition at high loads. Higher octane = more boost (to a limit.)

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

Just an FYI for you. I use 93 here in Maryland only because I can get it cheap at Sams Club nearby + it helps w/MPGs & performance. I‘ve used 89 when Sams Club wasn’t available but never used 87. I get 22 around town & 26-27 on trips.

Same here, Sam's Premium is great. I was using regular the first fall [2019] and it started to run a bit rough with our crappy winter blend in IL. Went to to the 93 and it stopped after about 1 tank. I dont waste money with any silly additives, I know some folks who do.

 

[THLONE]

A lot of seat of the pants science. Anyone have any independent science test of real world right out of the pump octane numbers?

 

[Tim H.]

A lot of seat of the pants science. Anyone have any independent science test of real world right out of the pump octane numbers?

I have a hybrid test result. With 93 I can burn rubber around corners with very little throttle. 89...not so much. ??‍

 

[Frenchy]

Did I read all of the responses on thos? No but i can give you the best answer!!!!

DO NOT USE ANY OCTANE LOWER THAN 87 IN YOUR TRUCK!!!! Ford has only authorized 87 ovtane as the lowest but still recommends premium(91 and up) fuel for better performance.

That is as simple as it gets

Hope this helps

 

[dtech]

Did I read all of the responses on thos? No but i can give you the best answer!!!!

DO NOT USE ANY OCTANE LOWER THAN 87 IN YOUR TRUCK!!!! Ford has only authorized 87 ovtane as the lowest but still recommends premium(91 and up) fuel for better performance.

That is as simple as it gets

Hope this helps

agree - some turbo engines may be safe to run 85 octane but for some it isn't , even a small amount of pinging which may not be heard by the human ear can cause issues over time.

 

[VAMike]

A lot of seat of the pants science. Anyone have any independent science test of real world right out of the pump octane numbers?

No. The only people with the resources to do such testing work at ford. I continue to be confused about why people think internet posts are more reliable than the owner's manual.

 

[landiscarrier]

Did I read all of the responses on thos? No but i can give you the best answer!!!!

DO NOT USE ANY OCTANE LOWER THAN 87 IN YOUR TRUCK!!!! Ford has only authorized 87 ovtane as the lowest but still recommends premium(91 and up) fuel for better performance.

That is as simple as it gets

Hope this helps

Yes...this is the best answer!

 

[BlueBoost]

In the days of carburetors the thinner air at altitude caused a richer mixture. But your ranger has FI and a computer that will adjust for the thinner air. So, it's probably not a good idea to use 85 octane with a turbo.

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