I have a 5.0 and always put premium in. Not sure I'm really getting a "premium" performance - meaning is the performance better than if I use lower grades of gas. Has anyone really played around with different octanes on their ride and does it make a noticeable difference?

 

I've seen reports of regular 87 getting better MPG than E85. Putting premium (91+ whatever) in and you're just flushing away bucks.

 

Here's the answer...check out www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0210-paying-premium-high-octane-gasoline


If you're wanting higher detergency gasoline additives, make sure you're using Top Tier fuel brands. Google 'Top Tier gasoline'.

 

E85 and premium gas will give you some added performance. The previous f150s with the 5.0 got an eight hp increase with premium gas. I can tell a slight difference with 93 and e85. Truck pulls the hills in overdrive better and does not want to down shift as much. It does pull a trailer better with 93.

 

Unless you've installed a tune to take advantage of the higher octane (timing change), then you're wasting your $$$$$.

Knock sensors will automagically adjust timing (retard) for marginal fuel (not quite the 87 as advertised) and load conditions.

In the case of 5.0L and E85, the performance gains are achieved because it can sense the fuel.
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Short answer: Yes, dependent on usage.

For some of the price swings I've seen down here between 87 and 93, I don't think it's worth it. Unless you're towing. In either case you'd have to run your tank pretty low and fill up mostly with premium to get the most benefit out of it.

The Shell station I use is $1.92 for 87 and $2.65 for 93. Ridiculous. I filled up today requiring 26 gallons. I won't notice the difference in performance between the two for my driving style but I will notice that $19 difference in my pocket.

 

1 gallon = 3.785 liters

$1.92/gallon (I assume?) = $0.507/liter

My God I am jealous of how cheap fuel is where you are. Paid $1.099/liter today to fill up...

 

85 octane is standard here at 6k feet asl, been told the higher the altitude you go the lower the octane you want/need & that's why 85 is standard around here.

Ran a couple tanks of 87 and then a couple tanks of 92, could not tell any difference at all.

 

Withe the 5.0 you will see marginal gains in power and fuel economy. All engines in the F-150 lineup can "detect" the octane and respond accordingly, but the NA engines will get little benefit. The ecoboost engines will give you a more noticeable boost in power and fuel economy with higher octane fuel, and it is recommended in your manual for "severe" use such as towing.

 

Just like your knock sensors will retard timing for 87 octane to reduce spark knock, it will also advance timing with 93 octane to the point of preignition then back off slightly. So you WILL make more power running 93 vs 87 octane because of our engines ability to compensate with ignition & cam timing for different octane fuels. Not quite sure about any better fuel economy, but you will make more power running higher octane fuel.