2020 Ford F150 5.0 43K miles -
1. From research, I have discovered I'm dealing with Pinging - Ok, I know now that I need higher octane gas. However, today, the pinging/spark knock was the worst it has been and then my check engine light came on. It's Veteran's Day tomorrow so I'm stuck waiting to get it checked out but I'm worried about what it could mean.
2. Periodically, the driver door lock will not go down. The motor is audible and attempts to lock but the lock does not go down. It will go down if pressed down manually and then issue resolves for a bit but does return at some point eventually.
3. Also, randomly, on vehicle start up, the radio screen will not allow changing of station. At times, it will resolve and eventually allow it to change, other times, it's stuck on one channel until truck is off and restarted.
4. I have also discovered my "third brake light" ( I believe that's what it's called) is not working - is this an easy fix?

I will say my dad is a retired diesel mechanic but his experience is pre-computer era so we are learning together

Edit to include: I took it to O’Reilly (since it’s Veterans Day and everything is closed). Diagnostic test said Camshaft position sensor code

 

if I had to guess your buying low quality fuel from a knock off gas station. I don't believe you necessarily have to run 91 octane but I do believe in quality fuel stations chevron is my go to and shell second. I have never really had fuel related problems with cars I've built over the years. I mean if I put upgraded injectors and pumps in a car and drive it for years I've never had one just fail or clog up.

I was working at O'Reillys in my younger days. I remember Costco had some bad gas come through. I sold probably 8-12 fuel pumps within 2 weeks lol.

Lock is probably under warranty, the stereos are a pita and always needs updates and brake light bulb is the easiest of your problems. 2 screws(Phillips I think) and done

 

Third brake light is just a bulb and 2 screws to change it. Try buying gas at a different station... I always buy from Top Tier stations and have no problems with 87 octane. Your Sync may need an update, check at the Ford owner support site.

 

Don't worry about it! Is just a Check Engine Light. Run it until it grenades. Then badmouth Ford on forums.

Or be an adult and take it to the dealer. You do not have "bad gas" unless you are using old gas from a farm tank. You do not need premium. The engine is designed to run on 87 AKI and if it doesn't then it is broken and needs to be fixed.

 

HAHAHA---are we saying Troll alert!!!!

 

Calm yourself. He said he's going to take to the dealership. He was just asking opinions

 

As most of the others have suggested, try 91.

the dealer will most likely tell you to run higher octane to see if the noise goes away per the manual: “Do not be concerned if the engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the engine knocks heavily while using fuel with the recommended octane rating, contact an authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.”

recommended fuel is 91, “For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.”

ford also recommends top tier fuel: “We recommend Top Tier detergent gasolines, where available to help minimize engine deposits and maintain optimal vehicle and engine performance. ”

some people get confused by this or have even stated that the word recommended, which is used over 100 times in the owners manual, changes meaning depending on what they want it to mean…or there is a secret ford manual decoder ring you need to get with ford pass to unlock manual secrets. Best to ignore the folks that preach certain parts of the manual as scripture and ignore the rest to save a penny.

 

BRAKE for God's sake!

 

Dealer will tell you such things to keep from being bothered by your problem.

Also, marketing has learned consumers like to be told their engines are so special they have to use more expensive gasoline because it is better therefore more expensive. But it is not better, it just has a higher AKI number which is slightly more expensive to produce but commands much much more at the gas pump.

More C.Y.A. verbiage. The engine is EPA rated and certified on 87 AKI. If it can not run on 87 AKI then the emissions warranty applies.

More C.Y.A. verbiage. Costs Ford nothing but reputation to tell consumers to use fuel with detergent additives in excess of the EPA minimums. If engine clogs up during the EPA warranty then Ford has to fix. But if Ford can goad you into paying more for fuel to mask Ford's design defects then they will.

Top Tier is nothing but more of the same detergents you might otherwise get. But maybe not because there is no reason the gas station can not use more detergents than the EPA minimums without Top Tier's permission. Texaco/Chevron, Exxon, Shell, Marathon, all the top national brands did this in the first place. Top Tier exists to convince you that Costco gasoline is as good as those. And it is, but so are many others.

Pretty sure Ford "recommends" washing the truck every week too. How many do that? And only having Ford dealers service the truck. And many other things we brush off.

But as I said, so many people like being told to buy only the most expensive gasoline, the most expensive oil, the most expensive tires, without comparing value.

 

You clearly haven't owned a performance vehicle??
(not saying the f150 is)
But with your logic go buy a new gt500, fill it up with quicky mart fuel (because its 14 cents cheaper then anywhere else) 87 octane and go drive that thing around like it's meant to be, ranting about how the manufacturer isn't gonna trick you.

Oh then like you said (be a dam adult) and just take it back to the dealership complaining that the cars a turd making weird noises and its all there fault lol


Hell I'm gonna email oztuning and tell him I'm gonna skip that e85 tune. I just learned I can get 800hp on 87 cause its all the same.