Does everyone run mid-grade fuel as recommended or can you get away with min. grade? I have a Nissan PU that would run on half water I think. Are these really high compression engines that require the higher octane to prevent detonation?
Thanks
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Solly,
Been running plain old 87 octane for 35k. No problems even when towing. Mid-grade recommended? I never saw anything about that.
Robb [img]images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> Does everyone run mid-grade fuel as recommended or can you get away with min. grade? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm with the other poster, I think it is the minimum grade (regular unleaded) of 87 octane that is reccomended, not the mid grade. Might want to recheck.. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
I think what's happening here is that octane ratings are different in different parts of the country. Here in Utah, mid grade is 87. So it sounds like I need to keep forkin over the extra cash.
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My owner's manual says to run 87 octane, which is Regular Unleaded here (which happens to be about $1.27/gallon where I fill up). Unleaded Plus is 89 octane and Premium Unleaded is 93.
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I seem to recall 85 octane being typical for regular grade gas in the mountain states. The engine's octane requirement *can* be lower at higher elevations due to the lower atmospheric pressure. Modern engine computers will also advance the timing to compensate for the slower combustion process -- typically 1 degree of advance for every 1,000 ft gain in altitude (I used to have to do this manually!).
HTH,
crewzer
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crewzer -- Y2K F250 SD 4X2 CC SB XLT 5.4LV8 AT 4.10LS
Is your truck stock (no chip, etc)? If so, why do you run 93 when towing? The computer will adjust for poor fuel (knock), but it doesn't advance for "better" fuel.
Truck is 100% stock, but most definitely pulls better on 93 octane. Have tried 87 & 93 various times over the same route with the same results- higher octane leads to fewer downshifts and better acceleration with the trailer.
If the knock-sensor functions as you describe, then there must be something else coming into play.
Ford does require a minimum of 87 octane. Most of my driving is in elevations ranging from sea-level to ~2,500 ft, and I use 87 for driving around town and 89 for towing (much better performance, fewer OD->3rd downshifts, and a bit better fuel economy). Above 2,500 ft (i.e west Texas, NM, CO, etc.), I use 87 regardless of application.
My brother just uses 87 in his F250 SD CC V10 3.73, and he's happy with it.
HTH,
crewzer
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crewzer -- Y2K F250 SD 4X2 CC SB XLT 5.4LV8 AT 4.10LS
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