What fuel do you run in your EcoBoost pickup? (not HO)

Lynnmor wrote:

Sorry, just thought you would want some common sense input.

We do, from people who actually own, towed with, or tested an Ecoboost to know what they are talking about, and not from someone who only gets their info from their interpretation of books. Just because one knows what a books says, does not mean they have common sense.

ShinerBock wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

The way I understand these tests is that they simulate driving up a grade, that is up to 6%, using throttle openings that will keep the empty vehicle at 65 MPH. Since we are discussing tow vehicles, testing an F150 Ecoboost fully loaded with a large, heavy, high profile trailer up a 6% grade on a hot day might give some meaningful information. Of course knocking and timing adjustments would be considerably different between fuels causing a much larger spread in horsepower and fuel usage.

Okay, well then go get an Ecoboost and test it in those conditions and report back what you find. Although, it will be no different than what we have stated that you will have less power with the regular octane fuel since it is pulling timing. However, even at that lower power rating, it still pulls heavy loads just fine. Until then, we will stick with the info we currently have along with our real world experiences as Ecoboost owners.

Sorry, just thought you would want some common sense input.

Lynnmor wrote:

The way I understand these tests is that they simulate driving up a grade, that is up to 6%, using throttle openings that will keep the empty vehicle at 65 MPH. Since we are discussing tow vehicles, testing an F150 Ecoboost fully loaded with a large, heavy, high profile trailer up a 6% grade on a hot day might give some meaningful information. Of course knocking and timing adjustments would be considerably different between fuels causing a much larger spread in horsepower and fuel usage.

Okay, well then go get an Ecoboost and test it in those conditions and report back what you find. Although, it will be no different than what we have stated that you will have less power with the regular octane fuel since it is pulling timing. However, even at that lower power rating, it still pulls heavy loads just fine. Until then, we will stick with the info we currently have along with our real world experiences as Ecoboost owners.

ShinerBock wrote:
Gonna bring this one back from the dead because I finally found the Engineering Explained video about the testing AAA did on using premium on dual fuel vehicles. It actually goes over fuel economy, power improvements, and timing adjustments of the 3.5L Ecoboost, 6.2L GM and various other vehicles.

Video - New Study Shows Premium Gas Isn't Always Worth It

AAA Premium Fuel Research

The way I understand these tests is that they simulate driving up a grade, that is up to 6%, using throttle openings that will keep the empty vehicle at 65 MPH. Since we are discussing tow vehicles, testing an F150 Ecoboost fully loaded with a large, heavy, high profile trailer up a 6% grade on a hot day might give some meaningful information. Of course knocking and timing adjustments would be considerably different between fuels causing a much larger spread in horsepower and fuel usage.

The computer does not know that you fulled up on new fuel. All it does is constantly detect knock and adjust the timing to the optimal level allowed depending on the anti-knock properties of the fuel. It is adjusting timing many times each cycle and even adjust timing of each individual cylinder so it is instant rather than a few tanks.

The reason why it may not be felt until a few tanks is probably because you filled up with several gallons of regular fuel still in the tank so it is blended fuel rather than all premium.

ShinerBock wrote:
This is exactly what the 2018 manual states.....

Your vehicle is designed to operate 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).......

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.


It never states that premium is required when towing. It just stayes that it is recommended IF you want the best performance and it will be most noticable in heavy tow and/or in hot weather.

Isn't it amazing what is in an owner manual!
"I don't see an improvement" takes a bit more than a tank to notice it. The PCM needs to learn and takes a bit more than a couple hundred miles.

Thanks! That is very interesting. After the report from OH48Lt that the difference was quite noticeable I had made up my mind to try the higher octane to see if I could also tell a difference. As fate would have it at my next fuel stop premium was $0.80/gal or nearly 30% higher than regular. I couldn't bring myself to pay that much extra since I have never felt the need for more power and that really seemed like money just thrown away. I may still try some 93 octane if I can find it for a more reasonable difference.

Gonna bring this one back from the dead because I finally found the Engineering Explained video about the testing AAA did on using premium on dual fuel vehicles. It actually goes over fuel economy, power improvements, and timing adjustments of the 3.5L Ecoboost, 6.2L GM and various other vehicles.

Video - New Study Shows Premium Gas Isn't Always Worth It

AAA Premium Fuel Research

I normally use regular 87 octane fuel, mainly the top tier from CostCo. Have used 93 in the past a number of times, and I can really tell the difference in power. Its rather immediate too. The engine senses the better gas, and adjusts the cam timers accordingly. Mine is a 2011, and the owners manual advises that 93 (or did it say 91?) is the preferred fuel. Mileage will increase slightly on 93, about 1 to 1.5 mpg. Its not enough to justify the 18-22% upcharge for 93.

I have had my 13 ecoboost Max tow since new and have ran 85 in it from the beginning due to putting 2500-3000 miles on it a month and the 30 cent difference adds up.

I have 140,000 on the truck now and have never had any trouble. I have switched over to 87 and 91 for towing but never noticed a power or fuel milage difference.

I also live above 6,000 feet and regularly go up to 11,000 so running the lower octane wasn’t that big of a deal.