What grade fuel do you run?

[flatag]

87 does everything I require out of my truck. No need to spend more money.

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[crazywayne311]

interesting thread...
in my 2017 3.5EB i ran 91 mostly. in my 2020 2.7EB, i ran 87. Both those trucks had the 36Gal tanks.
now the 2022 3.5EB? i run 87. As others have mentioned, i dont ask a lot of the truck so i see no need to dump the high test in though if i could i would.
right now its around a $.70 difference between 87 and 93oct. I normally get down where i need around 30Gal to fill up so you're looking at around a $21 difference in fill ups. 2-3 fill ups a month means $42-63 extra...so for now i'll just run 87 til i need anything else.

btw about $.40 more for mid grade so $12 every fill up haha

 

[FordConvert]

PB here. Clear 88 (ethanol-free).

 

[Graygoose2021]

91 because nobody in town has 93

 

[sbi]

This thread reminds me other threads in this forum - and others - where new Ford manuals were 'written' in regards to "break-in practices", pages of theories what to do and what not to do, all of which based on zero science and engineering.
Same with oil. I am yet to see one modern day engine that went kaput just because it used the OEM Motorcraft oil and not some super-duper fancy brand name oil.
Are there cleaner, better fuels in some stations vs others? Sure.
Do some oils lubricate an engine better than motorcraft? Hmm, maybe, not sure.
Will "better" fuel and oil keep the engine last longer under normal working conditions? I doubt it.
I believe that if FoMoCo engineers thought that you should use 93 and a different oil while towing or jumping your truck off of mountains while off-roading, they would put it in the manual.

 

[Buyer2021]

I believe that if FoMoCo engineers thought that you should use 93 and a different oil while towing or jumping your truck off of mountains while off-roading, they would put it in the manual.

FYI in the Owners Manual FoMoCo does in fact recommend the use of 91 or higher octane fuels to gain "noticeable" vehicle and engine performance in certain conditions, "for example when towing a trailer" (clipped from 2022 F150 Owners Manual, section Fuel and Refueling, subheading Selecting the Correct Fuel - Gasoline, bold highlight added by me):

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded​

gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2​

octane rating of 87 or regular unleaded​

gasoline blended with a maximum of 85%​

ethanol (E85).​

​

Some fuel stations, particularly those in​

high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as​

regular unleaded gasoline with an octane​

rating below 87. The use of these fuels​

could result in engine damage that will not​

be covered by the vehicle Warranty.​

​

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 a Trailer​

(page 403).​

.

 

[Kidder]

87 octane from top tier gas stations only. If I have an ethanol free option I always get that (not very often since those stations are rare around my area).

 

[Cheez_Greater]

I almost always use 87 in my 3.5, even when towing since my region is fairly flat. But if I will be crossing mountains or know I will be in a hilly area, then 91, if I remember. It seems the 91 allows the truck to allow higher boost pressure and marginally better fuel economy. I like this article which has a section on the Ecoboost and octane. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28565486/honda-cr-v-vs-bmw-m5-ford-f-150-dodge-charger/

 

[sbi]

FYI in the Owners Manual FoMoCo does in fact recommend the use of 91 or higher octane fuels to gain "noticeable" vehicle and engine performance in certain conditions, "for example when towing a trailer" (clipped from 2022 F150 Owners Manual, section Fuel and Refueling, subheading Selecting the Correct Fuel - Gasoline, bold highlight added by me):

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded​

gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2​

octane rating of 87 or regular unleaded​

gasoline blended with a maximum of 85%​

ethanol (E85).​

​

Some fuel stations, particularly those in​

high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as​

regular unleaded gasoline with an octane​

rating below 87. The use of these fuels​

could result in engine damage that will not​

be covered by the vehicle Warranty.​

​

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 a Trailer​

(page 403).​

.

Perfect, I learned something new

 

[Zengineer]

Usually 89 and occasionally 93 in my Ecoboost. As long as I stay at my current job they buy all my gas even though I rarely drive for work. I have run 87 and other than slightly worse MPG I didn't notice a big difference. Maybe when I retire and am off the gravy train I'll give it more consideration.

 

[trojandawg3]

I've used nothing but 87 in my 22 3.5 ecoboost. No issues that I'm aware of. I don't ask a lot of her usually.

 

[mrtull]

FYI in the Owners Manual FoMoCo does in fact recommend the use of 91 or higher octane fuels to gain "noticeable" vehicle and engine performance in certain conditions, "for example when towing a trailer" (clipped from 2022 F150 Owners Manual, section Fuel and Refueling, subheading Selecting the Correct Fuel - Gasoline, bold highlight added by me):

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded​

gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2​

octane rating of 87 or regular unleaded​

gasoline blended with a maximum of 85%​

ethanol (E85).​

​

Some fuel stations, particularly those in​

high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as​

regular unleaded gasoline with an octane​

rating below 87. The use of these fuels​

could result in engine damage that will not​

be covered by the vehicle Warranty.​

​

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 a Trailer​

(page 403).​

.

Clearly I need to read the manual better!!

1. I currently live at about 4,300 feet. I put different injector jets into my generator for high altitude, so perhaps I need to consider how altitude affects my vehicles.
2. NM fuel starts at 86 Octane, which is what I used in my 2020, and have been using on my 22. I'm now questing that practice; mid grade is 88 and premium is 91.
3. I certainly need to use higher octane when towing. Will be using the 91 next tow trip.
4. The only gas station i've seen with the Top Tier identification is Costco. Just did a search at https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/ and several in my small town are. I wonder why the don't identify it more... or have I not been paying enough attention?

Certainly reconsidering how I fuel my truck!

 

[Buyer2021]

Usually 89 and occasionally 93 in my Ecoboost. As long as I stay at my current job they buy all my gas even though I rarely drive for work. I have run 87 and other than slightly worse MPG I didn't notice a big difference. Maybe when I retire and am off the gravy train I'll give it more consideration.

Sounds like smart personal 'value engineering' to me

 

[wayfarer556]

Costco or QT 93 for me. It's pretty cheap here in Texas, and the truck feels more peppy and responsive with 93 compared to 87. When the prices were crazy, I would do half and half 87 and 93. But right now it's only a matter of a few bucks, so fuck it. Full send all the time.

 

[MillstoneF150]

5.0 Here. I've always ran 87 but a few times 93. I noticed better mpgs (1-1.5) and engine seemed smoother at idle and during heavier acceleration. At about 70 cents more a gallon I'm not going to use it. Long road trips, towing, having fun I will. If 89 was within 15 cents I would use that, but its like 45 cents more than 87. (36 gallon tank and 70 cents more a gallon for 93 means $20+ more a tank...yuck.) Needs to be way cheaper to be cheaper per mile. I don't think 87 will shorten engine life measurably but I'm sure there is a study out there.

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