Hey everyone, I have a 2019 3.5 eco and I know they say to run premium fuel when towing but I tow a 6.5ft x 12ft utility trailer with a side by side utv and the combined weight is 2500lbs which I do not consider a lot so am I still required to use premium with such little weight as I do not want to hurt anything , and what about the hot temperature of the summer? Thanks

 

I don't run premium gas when I tow my 3500# boat setup, but then I never know for sure when I'm going fishing, so I just run regular unleaded except when towing the TT. You may see a slight increase in tranny temps, but shouldn't be a concern.

 

I run E85 and regular unleaded. MPG is the only noticeable difference. Many threads indicate there's no advantage with premium.

 

I'm pulling a 7000lb trailer on 87. No problem. I only get 8.5 MPG like that but running the numbers it's cheaper to get 8.5 on 87 then pay for 93 and get 11 MPG as some claim they do

 

with the ecoboost trucks, there absolutely IS a difference. Note, ecoboost trucks are NOT e85 rated from factory.

premium fuel allows a higher threshold for ignition timing before knock occurs. Higher ignition timing=more torque and power. Especially useful in hot summer months.

Take a full tank of 87, go dyno. run that gas through, run 93 for a half a tank, then go dyno again. The difference will be well more than a 'margin of error'.

 

Premium is recommended so they don't have unhappy customers wanting their money back because the trucks aren't out-pulling the 5.7L hemis. IOW, you won't get the full power rating if not running premium.

Outside of really hot days where the engine might actually need premium to pull a very heavy trailer and not bump against the timing retard limit, you can use whatever gas you want. I run 87 all year long in the Ohio Valley. If I'm getting towards 5k lbs and am going to cross a steeper section of the Smokies, or temps are getting into the mid 90's and I've got a lengthy tow over 3000lb or 30sq-ft of surface area. I'll bump the octane.

 

I wish I could get E85. how do you like it?