CreepinDeth

Hey guys, I'm new to the F150 world, ex-GM loyal all my life until GM bent us over.
So now I support an American company that doesn't rely on Corporatism screwing Americans.

I have a question about the best grade fuel for my EcoBoost.
I've been under the impression 87 octane is fine, but winter blend around Chicagoland I'm getting pathetic 12-13mpg average.

I'm genuinely curious if 89 or 92 octane would help my efficiency more or not.
I understand higher octane is for higher compression etc etc, and this is a boosted application....so I'm questioning it.
Or do turbo motors generally just get lower efficiency in winter with the colder air ??
Thanks.

Coho

If I put in the higher grade my MPG will go up about 2-3 mpg city, and 3-5 highway - BUT the extra cost per gallon is almost on parity with putting in the cheaper stuff and getting 75-125 miles less on a tank. for me at least.

The truck definitely has a bunch more oomf & power with the good stuff.

I really should be using higher octane, more benefits and same price overall for cost per mile.

cody6766

I didn't notice a difference between 87 and 91, but I did notice a 2-3mpg difference between 10%ETOH and 100% gas. I now only buy 100% gas.

CreepinDeth

Yeah unfortunately in IL we're subjected to the 10% Ethanol regulations.

I can't get around that one. I think I'm going to try the 92-93 Octane for a few tanks and see how it rolls.
I was genuinely curious if just using 87 octane with an octane booster would be cheaper and just as effective.

36 gallons at 20 cents more equates to roughly $7.20
I think I have the 36 gallon.....I can't recall.

goneMINIcrazy

I run only 93. At 15% extra cost I get 5-12% extra MPG. Plus since tuned I have to run 91+ anyway. No 100% pure stations around me unfortunately.

KingRanch4Life

iTrader: (2)

I was on the Ford website just a few minutes ago... The Ecoboost is not E85 compatible... Probably the reason for the low fuel economy... You'd think it would be flex-fuel...

Looks like the 2013-14 are FFV..

BigBlueOx

I ran E15 a couple of weeks ago. Didn't really notice any drop in fuel economy, but it did start quite a bit harder when it was cold out (-20F) compared to E10. 100% gas starts the easiest and least hesitant.

CreepinDeth

Ya know I guess I was off a bit on my estimations.....
It's been so long since I used anything but 87 octane, I didn't even notice it's no longer just 10 cents more for 89.

I noticed NOW it's 20 cents more for every octane up you go......so 40 cents difference from 87 to 91/93 octane.....crazy.
Now I'm curious when the double price difference started.....

Negative.

E-85 is not the samething as 10% Ethanol blended gasoline @ 87-93 Octane.
E-85 is roughly 105 octane of ethyl alcohol.

I don't run E-85 in my EcoBoost.

Lizardking419

My truck only has 1,100 miles on it so far. Still breaking her in. The first 2 tanks I used 87 octane and got about 14.1 mpg. I thought I would try 91 and am getting about 15.6 mpg. I only have about 100 miles on the new tank so not much to go off of but I am going to fill up one more time with 91 and see if there is a big difference overall. I know my truck is new so gas mileage should get better but if the difference in mpg vs cost is worth it I will be putting in 91 from now on.

tragusa3

At so few miles, your truck is going to see some increases due to break in. It's not an accurate time for you to evaluate octane.