I have a stock 2018 Lariat with the 3.5 Ecoboost. Does it make any performance difference to fun premium fuel? Is that just a waste of money?

Also, what changes in the Sport DM button setting? Is it only transmission shift points?

Thanks for any advice as I'm new to the F150 world.

 

Welcome,

It will make a bit of difference, but probably not enough for daily driving. IF you tow heavy, they recommend premium.

Sport mode just changes shift points and accelerator pedal gain.

 

Technically, running premium fuel should make your truck use the high LSPI tables, which allow for more boost, and it should run a bit more timing. Without a tune, you probably won’t notice much seat of the pants difference.

As for the Sport DM, it adjusts shift points, both up and down, and it changes the throttle sensitivity.

 

Na, premium fuel probably will not make much difference. I run mid-grade, only because I also pull a travel trailer at various times, hoping for a tad better performance. Do I get it?? But I bought my truck brand new and hope to keep it many years for this reason. I would say most important, use top tier gas, it has additives that will reduce build up deposits on intake valves.
https://stationfinder.toptiergas.com/

 

um no not a waste of money... especially on a turbo charged or high compression engine.
With premium the engine runs at full timing advance & is notably more responsive and has significantly more fuel range. (like 150 miles or more)
The sport mode is simple shift points... if you were to purchase an aftermarket tune you would see much better shift performance out the 10 speed.

The wanna be prius 1/2 ton owners will be along shortly to tell you how great their clap traps run on 87.

 

It WILL enhance your performance, you WILL be able to make more power...that is just a fact. As others have noted, using premium when towing is simply a no-brainer. For daily driving, if you drive like me yes you'll notice it. If you drive more conservatively, probably imperceptible.

 

if you run pedal to the floor you'll notice the difference. Anything less than full throttle you'll not feel any difference. You will get better MPG but if like my location a 90 Cent upcharge not enough of an increase to offset the added cost.

 

I personally would only use premium fuel with forced induction, high compression / high performance engines. I would only use top tier fuel in any modern engine, especially with direct injection.
Lake Speed jr. has a good video about fuel quality on Youtube.

 

I totally get it. Especially since I have the big 36 gal tanker. I'm a bit sensitive to the cost too.

 

Unless forced, due to not being an option, I’ll never buy another truck without the 36 gal tank. A tank lasts me over a month these days, as I work from home. It’s awesome to be able to make a 400+ mile round trip to Houston and back, and still have a ¼ tank to go.