octane rating and engine performance
In Texas, the minimum octane rating is 87. On a recent trip to Glacier, I noticed a lot of the fuel in states like CO, WY and MT, the octane was 85, and you had to buy the mid-grade to get 87 and abov...
Forum Discussion
ShinerBock wrote:Lynnmor wrote:
Many engines are turbocharged today and the elevation makes little difference in fuel requirements. The OP has a 5.0 non-turbocharged so the low octane should be OK, but Ford Ecoboost engines should have premium fuel when towing, per the owners manual.
I don't think the manual says you should have it when towing. It says the same thing it states for all their duel fuel engines that can increase power output with higher octane fuel which is to add higher octane fuel if you want more performance and will more more noticeable in situations like towing. It states this for the 5.0, 6.2, and just about every other engine they make.
Here is a direct copy & paste from the owners manual:
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. We do not recommend
these fuels.
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.
