What Grade of Gas are you using?

Octane rating

  • <87

    Votes: 45 49.5%
  • 88-89

    Votes: 8 8.8%
  • >90

    Votes: 41 45.1%
  • I siphon gas from the neighbor

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • I actually drive a Prius

    Votes: 1 1.1%
  • 100+ Racing Gas

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Total voters
    91

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LokiWolf

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I just didnt want somebody thinking they NEED to run premium
and spending money that they might otherwise need for BEER, that would be a tragedy

I can get behind this statement 100%. Only valid argument behind not running Premium!!


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keny01998

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I have XLT so I just use regular 87. Why waste money on mid or premium gas unless you have Platinum model? I'm in Acura MDX forum and those cheapstakes like to use regular gas when Acura recommend or require premium gas :)
 

LokiWolf

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I have XLT so I just use regular 87. Why waste money on mid or premium gas unless you have Platinum model? I'm in Acura MDX forum and those cheapstakes like to use regular gas when Acura recommend or require premium gas :)

All 15+ Expeditions have an EB Motor. They are all Turbocharged, and you aren’t getting full rated power without using 93 Octane.


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Rezolution

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Does anyone actually know if the firmware of the vehicle is different for the XLT package VS. the Platinum package in terms of allowing more HP based on octane rating? Maybe someone that works at Ford or has done dyno tests with different grades of fuel on an XLT package.

Wouldn't the following statement imply that they limit the HP boost based on which model you've purchased?:

"However, the engine does show more muscle as you reach the top of the trim level lineup. Housed on the Expedition XL, XLT or Limited, the V6 delivers 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. Behind the wheel of the Expedition Platinum, drivers get boosted to 400 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque."

It sounds like if you have an XLT, you get 375HP and that's it. A higher octane would only eliminate knocking if you have experience it. If you have a platinum and run 87 you'd get 375 and running 93 would increase you to 400. Unless I'm reading it incorrectly... It's all really just a guess anyway unless someone has actual proof that the base model will allow the increased HP output.
 

aggiegrad05

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Does anyone actually know if the firmware of the vehicle is different for the XLT package VS. the Platinum package in terms of allowing more HP based on octane rating? Maybe someone that works at Ford or has done dyno tests with different grades of fuel on an XLT package.

Wouldn't the following statement imply that they limit the HP boost based on which model you've purchased?:

"However, the engine does show more muscle as you reach the top of the trim level lineup. Housed on the Expedition XL, XLT or Limited, the V6 delivers 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. Behind the wheel of the Expedition Platinum, drivers get boosted to 400 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque."

It sounds like if you have an XLT, you get 375HP and that's it. A higher octane would only eliminate knocking if you have experience it. If you have a platinum and run 87 you'd get 375 and running 93 would increase you to 400. Unless I'm reading it incorrectly... It's all really just a guess anyway unless someone has actual proof that the base model will allow the increased HP output.
My understanding is the Platys are tuned differently to allow the extra hp, it's not just the increased octane. So yes, if you run premium in an XLT or a Ltd, you will not get more than 375. And similarly, you will only get the 400 for which the Platy is tuned if you're running premium.

Of course this is not the case with the Navis as they have the raptor motor with entirely different parts to get them all the way to 450hp.
 

LokiWolf

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My understanding is the Platys are tuned differently to allow the extra hp, it's not just the increased octane. So yes, if you run premium in an XLT or a Ltd, you will not get more than 375. And similarly, you will only get the 400 for which the Platy is tuned if you're running premium.

Of course this is not the case with the Navis as they have the raptor motor with entirely different parts to get them all the way to 450hp.

This! The difference in the Expy is just a Tune.

The tunes are based on Demanded power levels, and are detuned from there based on Knock.

So yes, the lower tune level might might see less of a difference, but will still see a difference, because it is based on demand, and the tune difference is small.


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Rezolution

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That makes sense. I've never seen my boost gauge go over 80%, they probably have it locked down. I have a sneaking feeling that those who own the Platinum get to see that gauge go to 100%.
 

LokiWolf

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That makes sense. I've never seen my boost gauge go over 80%, they probably have it locked down. I have a sneaking feeling that those who own the Platinum get to see that gauge go to 100%.

Even tuned to 400, this 2nd Gen motor isn’t even close to what it is capable of. Even in non HO trim.


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Plati

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…A higher octane would only eliminate knocking if you have experience it....

I saw this article on an earlier 2018 thread (that and forum posts educated me on the EcoBoost). The EcoBoost does a lot of real time adjustments & control to maximize performance based on what fuel is present. So (if I understand correctly) the EcoBoost modern engine is capable of taking advantage of the premium fuel vs the premium fuel with higher octane will eliminate knock if it is occurring. If I have it right and if that makes sense.

http://stratifiedauto.com/blog/unde...ons-in-your-high-performance-ecoboost-engine/
 

Gumby

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That makes sense. I've never seen my boost gauge go over 80%, they probably have it locked down. I have a sneaking feeling that those who own the Platinum get to see that gauge go to 100%.
Never seen my boost gauge get close to 100%. Usually maxes to 75% or so and for just a short time too.
 

LokiWolf

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I saw this article on an earlier 2018 thread (that and forum posts educated me on the EcoBoost). The EcoBoost does a lot of real time adjustments & control to maximize performance based on what fuel is present. So (if I understand correctly) the EcoBoost modern engine is capable of taking advantage of the premium fuel vs the premium fuel with higher octane will eliminate knock if it is occurring. If I have it right and if that makes sense.

http://stratifiedauto.com/blog/unde...ons-in-your-high-performance-ecoboost-engine/

Correct, It does adjust based on knock, and Learned OAR(Octane Adjust Ratio).

The uniqueness of the EB is that it doesn’t add power, it takes power away. It is tuned based on the higher level, and pulls timing based on OAR. That is the difference in thinking. That is why even a little E added to slightly increase Octane and evaporative cooling, sees a benefit on even Stock tuning. Especially under heavy load. It helps prevent knock and improve the OAR.


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Molaf

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Yes … bit of a different subject but related. All the government MPG fuel economy (not HP) testing is done with "premium fuel" .. so if you use regular fuel for your day to day driving you will always achieve less MPG (in a vehicle that can take advantage of premium fuel).
:emotions33:

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Plati

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Interesting, but I'm not sure what that means.
Various interpretations possible I guess.
I do see the Regular Gasoline

You know (I'm sure everyone does) you can't believe everything you read.
Anything I post is in that category too!! I try to be accurate.

Here is where I got my info.
http://www.automobilemag.com/news/octane-fuel-economy-horsepower-epa/

and its says:
"The EPA and automakers use Indolene test fuel for all (gasoline) vehicle testing, for consistency purposes," a spokesperson for the agency says. "Indolene is a high-octane fuel that meets a wide range of technical specifications."

another interesting factoid for the testing is that they dont actually measure the volume of gas consumed. they collect the tailpipe exhaust gas and measure the carbon content and calculate the amount of fuel they "figure" was used (amount of energy). maybe they added a fudge factor and calculated it to what was used if it was regular vs premium? so they might fill tank with Indolene but calculate MPG out to be representative of regular octane. i think they also add a fudge factor for the aerondynamics and rolling resistance of the vehicle. the testing was designed by F'in Engineers after all.

its all so complicated. i'm gonna have a BEER
which I can easily afford since I burn 87 octane gas
(dont care what time of day it is, I'm retired)
 

Molaf

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its all so complicated. i'm gonna have a BEER
which I can easily afford since I burn 87 octane gas
(dont care what time of day it is, I'm retired)

Ya so the basic gist of things I'm getting from the most of the replies is that putting around town, 87 is fine. Towing and highway, 91(or 93). My BiL said the same thing(he has the 3.5 in his F150).
 

LokiWolf

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Ya so the basic gist of things I'm getting from the most of the replies is that putting around town, 87 is fine. Towing and highway, 91(or 93). My BiL said the same thing(he has the 3.5 in his F150).

Personally, I like to have all the power available all the time, but I like power.

When I ran the numbers, with the Wife’s regular driving, I saw an increase in MPG while running 93 vs 87. Did it completely make up for the fuel cost difference, No, but it offset it, and the cost per mile was very close.

For me it was a Win/win. More power, with little impact to my bottom line. Plus, looking at logging, FAR less KR(Knock Retard) events!


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