Octane rating

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

The dude

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
3
Location
Virginia
Probably been asked before but who here run 87 in their ecoboost? On the 150 forums it seems they all run premium. I thought about using premium but think it might be a waste of money for just riding around with no or very light towing. Less than 1200 pounds. I'm sure not spending 70 cents more a gallon for no good reason. Thoughts?
 

Habbibie

Is it Christmas yet?
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Posts
1,852
Reaction score
563
Location
Chicago
Not to vary off subject but at my company we run 87 in the EcoBoost half ton trucks.. They still run like champs.

Also where the F do you live cause here in Chicago it's about double that in difference between regular and premium
 

ManUpOrShutUp

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Posts
2,113
Reaction score
1,157
Location
PA
It's currently $0.46 more for premium vs regular at my usual station here (midgrade is $0.22 more than regular).
 
OP
OP
T

The dude

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
3
Location
Virginia
I live in central va. The stations around here have reg at 2.05 prem at 2.71. Pertty big gap between the two.
 

jeff kushner

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
2,330
Reaction score
1,276
Location
North of Annapolis
Here in the Washington- Baltimore Corridor as it's called, regular runs $2.21 at the cheapest stations and 93 BP runs $2.99. I did fill on Sunoco 93 on Saturday and noticed that it was $2.89. I admit that I don't pay for my gas so I only use 93 but if I were paying for it, I can't swear knowing that the computer can easily adjust to the different fuels although in my little car, I always have used 93....and it still runs perfectly....with almost 192,000 miles on it!

jeff
 
OP
OP
T

The dude

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Posts
12
Reaction score
3
Location
Virginia
Im gonna run the 87 until i get a knock or ping i believe. I feel if the eco ran premium only i doubt they would sell as many as they do. Wish the 5.0 was an option. That would have been awesome. Then i wouldn't even be thinking about octanes lol
 

brick

Full Access Members
Joined
Aug 11, 2016
Posts
77
Reaction score
9
Location
Atlanta
I use premium in my EcoBoost, and regular in my old 2003 EB. I tow a 6000 lb boat with the EcoBoost, so regular fuel would be a poor choice.
brick
 

Flight-ER-Doc

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 4, 2016
Posts
140
Reaction score
43
Location
Montana
Probably been asked before but who here run 87 in their ecoboost? On the 150 forums it seems they all run premium. I thought about using premium but think it might be a waste of money for just riding around with no or very light towing. Less than 1200 pounds. I'm sure not spending 70 cents more a gallon for no good reason. Thoughts?


I run 87 in my 2015 Ecoboost....no issues at all, including towing a 5k# trailer over the Rockies and Sierras
 

lbv150

Full Access Members
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Posts
606
Reaction score
284
Location
Northeast
We keep our brand new purchased vehicles forever so we take the best care of them. The '16 Ecco Boost only gets Shell or Mobil premium. As they say...pay a little now or pay a lot later. Will the Ecco engine run on 87...sure, but I wouldn't run that crap in a lawnmower.
 

positivemojo

Active Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Posts
27
Reaction score
19
Location
McKinney, Texas
I've used 87 octane for years and put in a bottle of Techron Max every 10,000 miles - or oil change. Works like a charm.
 

rjdelp7

2000 XLT
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
1,529
Reaction score
378
Location
NY
The octane rating, is in your owners manual. Using premium, when 87 is required is a waste of money. The "Eco-boost" is not a high performance engine, it is a fuel saver, hence "eco". From what I read about it, it does not save, all that much. Paying for premium, would defeat any savings. The EB engine adds $1400 to the price of the truck. It has more parts, to fail, out of warranty. Ford went all in, with eco-boost(v6 turbo charging), but GM and Ram trucks, still have V8s. Ford should give a V8 option. I personally will never own a full size truck, with a V6.
 

LokiWolf

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Posts
3,971
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Richmond VA
The octane rating, is in your owners manual. Using premium, when 87 is required is a waste of money. The "Eco-boost" is not a high performance engine, it is a fuel saver, hence "eco". From what I read about it, it does not save, all that much. Paying for premium, would defeat any savings. The EB engine adds $1400 to the price of the truck. It has more parts, to fail, out of warranty. Ford went all in, with eco-boost(v6 turbo charging), but GM and Ram trucks, still have V8s. Ford should give a V8 option. I personally will never own a full size truck, with a V6.

And yet another person bashing the EcoBoost who has never driver one. Love it! This motor is a beast, it effortlessly pulls this beast of vehicle around. Torque is on demand instantly, and it has a massively flat Torque curve. Press the go fast pedal and it builds speed, with out breaking a sweat. Reminds me of my old 250 in that way. The 5.4 had less power, and worst MPG...no brainer for the 3.5Eco. The 5.0 averages the same MPG according to Fuelly, but has less Power, 5.0(360HP/380lbft) vs 3.5TT(365HP/420lbft). I used 2014 F-150 numbers, because that is the generation our Eco is. Why would you not want more power with the same MPG? As far as upgrades...the Eco can gain 80HP with JUST a tune. Can't do that on the Coyote. Love the 5.0, it sounds great, and is a great motor, but bashing the Eco, just because it has 2 less cylinders...just doesn't make sense.

Fact, it has been proven on a dyno, that the 3.5TT generates more power using 93 vs 87. Doesn't mean 87 is bad for it, but the Motor does respond to it.

We keep our brand new purchased vehicles forever so we take the best care of them. The '16 Ecco Boost only gets Shell or Mobil premium. As they say...pay a little now or pay a lot later. Will the Ecco engine run on 87...sure, but I wouldn't run that crap in a lawnmower.

I run Shell 87 most of the time. Quality gas, just 87 most of the time. 93 vs 87 does not define crap.
 

rjdelp7

2000 XLT
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Posts
1,529
Reaction score
378
Location
NY
And yet another person bashing the EcoBoost who has never driver one. Love it! This motor is a beast, it effortlessly pulls this beast of vehicle around. Torque is on demand instantly, and it has a massively flat Torque curve. Press the go fast pedal and it builds speed, with out breaking a sweat. Reminds me of my old 250 in that way. The 5.4 had less power, and worst MPG...no brainer for the 3.5Eco. The 5.0 averages the same MPG according to Fuelly, but has less Power, 5.0(360HP/380lbft) vs 3.5TT(365HP/420lbft). I used 2014 F-150 numbers, because that is the generation our Eco is. Why would you not want more power with the same MPG? As far as upgrades...the Eco can gain 80HP with JUST a tune. Can't do that on the Coyote. Love the 5.0, it sounds great, and is a great motor, but bashing the Eco, just because it has 2 less cylinders...just doesn't make sense.

Fact, it has been proven on a dyno, that the 3.5TT generates more power using 93 vs 87. Doesn't mean 87 is bad for it, but the Motor does respond to it.



I run Shell 87 most of the time. Quality gas, just 87 most of the time. 93 vs 87 does not define crap.
I wasn't bashing the Eco-boost. I was stating well known facts. You did not mention what your fuel mileage actually was. I hear 16mpg, city is average. How do justify spending, a extra $1400 for this engine? What about break downs? Have you had issues? A co-worker has had his in the shop twice already. Both times were turbo related problems. One was a oil leak and one turbo actually failed(Ford claimed only second one, in country). His truck was in the shop for two weeks. They considered replacing the whole engine, but were able to fix it. Now he is close to being out of warranty and does not trust it anymore. The 93 octane issue, I am skeptical of any power gains. The extra heat from burning higher octane, is harder on the turbos.
 
Last edited:
Top