Just keep an eye on how it affects your driving style and tire wear over time. No need to worry too much about the octane unless you start noticing any knocking or performance issues.

 

Ran my 2020 3.5 every day with the same sequence: auto start off, drive mode sport, double click for sport traction control. 3yr, 64k mile average of 16.9mpg. Zero problems EVER with that truck. Changed brakes at 55k, and the stock ones were still at half.

Enter 2023 3.5 PB: I dislike that you can not turn off auto start in Sport mode. This is stupid. When the light turns green, I'm going from wide pedal, to skinny, as fast as humanly possible. Contrary to popular belief; the starter and oil pressure are not considering that motion the way that my brain is. That's the simplest way I can think to explain it.

To the OP regarding the drive mode: i still drive every day in sport, and for the most part, appear to average 19ish mpg in this manner. Where I live, it is not uncommon to have 40-60mph stretches, followed by 20-40mph, and back again. So the "normal" mode is often spent simply turning on and off the engine. Sport, on the other hand, makes my truck a rocket ship! When the engine isn't turned off, traction control limiting throttle instead of wheelspin, or skipping out of 1st too quick. First world problems.

That being said, when I do use Normal, I average between 21 and 24mpg, with Sport showing between 19 and 21mpg regularly. Current 2023 PB is bone stock, 13,200 miles, Mobil 1 every 5k, lifetime of 93 octane Shell fuel only.

 

Ive been driving my truck in sport every day. Like the above post, 19.7 MPG. I get that normal mode is for milage and there's nothing wrong with that at al I like itl. I can see it's great for long freeway trips but sport mode is the truck that I wanted.

My 2010 got 14MPG hwy/ctiy so now I have more horsepower and better gas milage.

 

My fuel mileage has been the same as yours in those modes. I mostly run in Normal mode and get around 22.8 MPG with 93 octane. I took a trip to Kentucky for a concert and running through the mountains in Sport mode I got around 19.5 over the whole trip. Sport mode is the only way to go in the mountains so much better driving experience. Regardless what Ford says these trucks are not happy with 87 octane. The first few months I had it I ran 87 and hated this truck it ran like a POS. I switched to 93 night and day difference it performs better and gets better fuel mileage. I’m spending the same money per week filling up with 93 that I did with 87.

 

This my fuel range on Friday after filling up with 93 it’s been creeping up every week usually was between 686 and 710 on 87 running in normal mode. Since I switched to 93 this has been the highest range I’ve seen yet and this is my normal Commute to work and home over a week no trip mileage

 

My 23 5.0 in normal mode I run around 20-21, sport 18. This is sea level no big hills. Last week 600 mile road trip pulling tall 22 ft enclosed trailer in tow-hall averaged 14. I blame the wind resistance on the trailer because same milage empty or loaded. Also when towing my 24 foot center console 6500 pounds I average 18 on long road trips.

 

I don't think the Sport Mode makes as much difference IMO as the Pedal Max and like i said in Sport Mode the Transmission stays in the lower gears increasing the RPM's of the engine the Pedal Max doesn't do that it up shifts to the higher gears!!Also the Pedal Max has an adjustable controller that goes from 0-100 i have mine at 60!! You Tube has a bunch of Videos on the Pedal Max and other devices like it check them out on You Tube!! I brought the Topic TTT in the 2015-2020 section if you want to check it out!!

 

The way FORD implements it versus GM's way is totally different. Can't really compare the two-

 

That is true, but it is still a new system and any potential issues are unknown. I prefer to use it as little as possible.

 

I haven’t noticed CD kicking in at all on mine. Haven’t noticed a thing. But all my driving is on pretty flat highway roads.