2015 Lincoln EcoBoost vs the Ike Gauntlet
The EcoBoost performance was pretty impressive and I couldn't help notice how relatively low the RPM's were too. Link
Forum Discussion
We'retheRussos wrote:Home Skillet wrote:
You use premium fuel for max horsepower.
With the lower octane fuel, the power is reduced.
Incorrect. The Octane level determines the amount of pressure the fuel can withstand before it detonates. Higher performance / turbo charged engines like the EcoBoost have high compression ratios and therefore require a high octane fuel to prevent knocking. Using a low octane fuel can cause knocking and possibly damage to the engine.
On engines that require 87, they have lower compression ratios and therefore its not beneficial to put in a higher Octane. People read "Premium" and go for the marketing when it does absolutely nothing - if anything there are tests that show your MPG will go down slightly by using a higher octane fuel than recommended because your engine is not able to ignite the fuel at the opportune time.
Actually, you are wrong. Most (not all) engines recommended to run premium, is only for max horsepower. Knock sensors, to name only one input, will reduce timing and other parameters that reduce HP while allowing lower octane fuel to be used and your every day driver wont know the difference.
FYI. Sport bikes run 12:1, 13:1 and even 14:1 compression ratio's and can run on 87 octane fuel 24/7/365....and never flinch. Its no longer all about compression ratio. Engine design and fuel requirements are well beyond this.
