Fuel for Gassers
Anyone run Premium fuel or Octane Boost? Improved performance/mileage or waste of $$.
Forum Discussion
I'd run it if you feel you need a little more power. :)
Any modern fuel injected gas powered engine these days are all computer controlled and have knock sensors in them. Lower octane fuel will produce knock in an engine sooner when it's being worked hard and thus the computer will start to "******" the timing so it don't knock no more.. This takes away a bunch of power in general. Just like distributer timing did back in the day of carbs and points.
Running 92 octane keeps the knock sensor at bay for a little longer and keeps the timing up for more performance when you are working the thing in my experience.
Sure, putting around town and no load, 92 ain't not gonna do a darn thing for ya..
Assuming a V10 Ford here too? Even my old 97 F150 with a 5.4 had those knock sensors and would run better with 92 in the tank (you have to let a tank or 2 go thru it so the computer calibrates for it over time to really see any change.)
Just don't think if you put half a tank of 92 in and then expect the world to change is just not going to happen.. :)
Anyway, I learned this especially on my little 13 F150 with the dreaded "ecoboost" in it..
I ran 87 from day one and towing a little #5000 TT and it did fine.
Fast forward several years and I upgrade to a new #7000 TT... I go over the same passes I'd gone over for years. Well, it could hardly get up the same grades without being in a lower gear (3rd) and running slower (50) then before... And running hotter to boot.
Next trip, I ran 92 for a couple of tanks before and then towed the same pass, I was again back to 4th, running any speed I wanted (55-60) easily.. And keeping the temps in check and not getting 7 mpg.. I am now back to it's usual 9-10 mpg towing as I had with the old trailer..
Says so in my owners manual too.. "Run Premium when towing, but it'll run fine on Regular otherwise.."
Yes, it's more expensive and I only have a 35 gallon tank, so having some 75+ gallons on your class A, might make a difference...
I've hit the $100 limit at several stations that have that limit set a number of times.. My last few camping trips has been over $100 fill ups and that's for only around 25 gallons of gas for the 92 stuff....
But, I would rather pay now, then pay later for beating the engine up.. I'm over 103,000 miles on my old Eco and it still pulls as strong as it did when it was new..
In the end, do whatever works best for YOU... Not what a bunch of internet hacks says... :)
I'm just saying what has worked for me.. To anyone else, I'm probably talking out of my a$$ and have no clue.. Maybe, but it's working for me. ha, ha... :)
Good luck! Mitch
Any modern fuel injected gas powered engine these days are all computer controlled and have knock sensors in them. Lower octane fuel will produce knock in an engine sooner when it's being worked hard and thus the computer will start to "******" the timing so it don't knock no more.. This takes away a bunch of power in general. Just like distributer timing did back in the day of carbs and points.
Running 92 octane keeps the knock sensor at bay for a little longer and keeps the timing up for more performance when you are working the thing in my experience.
Sure, putting around town and no load, 92 ain't not gonna do a darn thing for ya..
Assuming a V10 Ford here too? Even my old 97 F150 with a 5.4 had those knock sensors and would run better with 92 in the tank (you have to let a tank or 2 go thru it so the computer calibrates for it over time to really see any change.)
Just don't think if you put half a tank of 92 in and then expect the world to change is just not going to happen.. :)
Anyway, I learned this especially on my little 13 F150 with the dreaded "ecoboost" in it..
I ran 87 from day one and towing a little #5000 TT and it did fine.
Fast forward several years and I upgrade to a new #7000 TT... I go over the same passes I'd gone over for years. Well, it could hardly get up the same grades without being in a lower gear (3rd) and running slower (50) then before... And running hotter to boot.
Next trip, I ran 92 for a couple of tanks before and then towed the same pass, I was again back to 4th, running any speed I wanted (55-60) easily.. And keeping the temps in check and not getting 7 mpg.. I am now back to it's usual 9-10 mpg towing as I had with the old trailer..
Says so in my owners manual too.. "Run Premium when towing, but it'll run fine on Regular otherwise.."
Yes, it's more expensive and I only have a 35 gallon tank, so having some 75+ gallons on your class A, might make a difference...
I've hit the $100 limit at several stations that have that limit set a number of times.. My last few camping trips has been over $100 fill ups and that's for only around 25 gallons of gas for the 92 stuff....
But, I would rather pay now, then pay later for beating the engine up.. I'm over 103,000 miles on my old Eco and it still pulls as strong as it did when it was new..
In the end, do whatever works best for YOU... Not what a bunch of internet hacks says... :)
I'm just saying what has worked for me.. To anyone else, I'm probably talking out of my a$$ and have no clue.. Maybe, but it's working for me. ha, ha... :)
Good luck! Mitch
