Running regular gas

[A 01 Badger]

I assume this is similar across the country but gas has come down big time in the past few weeks in Wisconsin. As low as $1.60 in some places, the problem is 93 octane has stayed up around $2.80.  My question is if I revert to the stock tune can I run 87 octane?  I usually wouldn't care about the difference in price but I put a lot of miles on my car for work.

With the crappy weather and road conditions, I really don't take advantage of my 93 tune anyway. 20 bucks a tank savings when I fill up twice a week will add up fast.  My last two vehicles ran premium so I kept buying it when I got the SHO and didn't test regular before I tuned. My guess is it will be ok, I ran the last two tanks in my wife's untuned xSport with no issues but I want to see if anyone here has experience running 87 on the stock tune.

 

[SHOdded]

Take it easy on the go pedal, and 87 on stock tune should be fine.  Try and use a reputable, high turnover gas station.  Bad gas is simply not worth it. 

 

[A 01 Badger]

I would refer to the owners manual before i listen to any of the BS from the members on this forum...And there are some reall ass holes on this forum

Wow, so tell us how you really feel...

Anyway, I couldn't find anything in my manual referring to grade of fuel which makes me think it would be ok. Usually if there is a minimum octane, they are pretty clear about it.

 

[ajpturbo]

Ill go look at my book but i know they address it.....they have to...if they didnt the people in this country would pee in the tank and sue ford because it didnt run properly and werent told you couldnt urinate in the filler neck

 

[ajpturbo]

I would refer to the owners manual before i listen to any of the BS from the members on this forum...And there are some reall ass holes on this forum

Wow, so tell us how you really feel...

Anyway, I couldn't find anything in my manual referring to grade of fuel which makes me think it would be ok. Usually if there is a minimum octane, they are pretty clear about it.

I feel pretty oh so pretty

 

[ZSHO]

Here's a link from one of us ***holes based from the owners manuel suggesting 87 octane is more than sufficient,but certainly 93 octane can be used if your looking for performance.  Z     
Octane recommendations
• 3.5L V6 engine
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended.
• 3.5L V6 SHO/2.0L EcoBoost® engines
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily while you are using fuel with the recommended octane
rating, see your authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.

 

[ajpturbo]

Throw out the stuff posted above aboit e85...never use that....pretty easy to find ....z is one of the assholes for sure...but im a bigger ass hole lol....just kidding

 

[ZSHO]

Throw out the stuff posted above aboit e85...never use that....pretty easy to find ....z is one of the ***holes for sure...but im a bigger ass hole lol....just kidding

I cant believe that actually was inclined to possibly offering you a juicy drumstick,your loss.lol  Z

 

[ZSHO]

Based on the owners manuel above it kind of makes you think twice especially if your located in higher elevated areas using 87 octane and possibly 91 octane might be more beneficial,also knock is another issue that you might need to monitor.  Z

 

[A 01 Badger]

Thanks for all the input guys. I am not sure why I couldn't find the page in my 13 manual discussing fuel. I am going to retune this weekend and give it a shot. Saving 40-50 bucks a week on gas is like getting a free tank every third fill up. I can put the savings toward a new mod for next summer he he...

 

[SHOdded]

Let us know how it works out, and good luck!!!

 

[ZSHO]

I find logging into my Ford account much easier and gives you a much broader wide spectrum on your vehicles status and recalls.  Z      http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/13tauom3e.pdf

 

[66 Galaxie]

I have run 87 in my stock Flex ecoboost without any problems


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

If you have E-85 available you could have the best of both worlds.

3 gals of E85 and 16 gals of 89 gets you to 91.5 octane. Me personally, I would probably try the 93 tune and see how KR behaves as I suspect it would be fine due to ethanol's enhanced capabilities when directly injected. This would total 22% and should keep your rail pressure in check.

If I did see increased KR then I would just load a 91 tune. Granted you'd lose a little power over the 93 tune but still a helluva lot more fun than 87 when you encounter random nice days throughout the winter.

 

[The Bone]

Since you have a tune in your car than you have to run what octane the tune calls for. Stock depending on year you can run all 3 grades but the H/P rating drops when you use regular fuel. Ya it's in the book. This is the problem with tunes. They require a certain grade of fuel and the computer cant compensate for the lower octane fuel. Just go back to stock and use the cheaper fuel.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

E85 has an effective octane of 160 when directly injected.

Knock retard and OAR are helpful when determining if you have the required Octane for your tune unless your tuner has fooled with those strategies.

 

[A 01 Badger]

If you have E-85 available you could have the best of both worlds.

3 gals of E85 and 16 gals of 89 gets you to 91.5 octane. Me personally, I would probably try the 93 tune and see how KR behaves as I suspect it would be fine due to ethanol's enhanced capabilities when directly injected. This would total 22% and should keep your rail pressure in check.

If I did see increased KR then I would just load a 91 tune. Granted you'd lose a little power over the 93 tune but still a helluva lot more fun than 87 when you encounter random nice days throughout the winter.

Interesting thought, and I like the idea of being able to keep a tune on but I am not sure how easily available e85 is as I have never really paid attention.  I also don't know how comfortable I am mixing gas.  For now I went to stock, but I am going to pay attention to the availability of e85 and perhaps give that a go later in the season if the spread in gas prices doesn't come in a bit.

 

[Vortech347]

Need to be careful mixing E85 though.  You need MORE fuel to obtain the correct A/F it requires.  Otherwise it could lean out the car.  You don't just have octane to figure.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

Need to be careful mixing E85 though.  You need MORE fuel to obtain the correct A/F it requires.  Otherwise it could lean out the car.  You don't just have octane to figure.

http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,5478.0.html

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

I assume this is similar across the country but gas has come down big time in the past few weeks in Wisconsin. As low as $1.60 in some places, the problem is 93 octane has stayed up around $2.80.  My question is if I revert to the stock tune can I run 87 octane?  I usually wouldn't care about the difference in price but I put a lot of miles on my car for work.

With the crappy weather and road conditions, I really don't take advantage of my 93 tune anyway. 20 bucks a tank savings when I fill up twice a week will add up fast.  My last two vehicles ran premium so I kept buying it when I got the SHO and didn't test regular before I tuned. My guess is it will be ok, I ran the last two tanks in my wife's untuned xSport with no issues but I want to see if anyone here has experience running 87 on the stock tune.

We can create an 87 octane tune for your vehicle if you would like, all you need to do is send me a request.  I will forward it over to my calibrator if needed to have him work on it this weekend or Monday.  The tune is more of a transmission calibration with drivability improvements as well.  We do not typically create them for each customer on the 2013+ models but have always sent them to customer's that requested.  Similar to the Stage 1 tune we use still for those who want it on the 2010-12 SHO, Flex, MKS, MKT.

Send your info including the serial number of your tuner to help expedite the process to tuning@livernoismotorsports.com or info@ works as well.