what octane fuel should i use?

yoyoc1 · #1 09-28-2009, 07:33 PM

i have a 2004 4.6L 8 cylinder and I've been using 87 fuel. should i upgrade to 89 or even 91 when filling up the tank? would i see any improvements by doing this?

Thanks

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f150fella08 · #2 09-28-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoyoc1

i have a 2004 4.6L 8 cylinder and I've been using 87 fuel. should i upgrade to 89 or even 91 when filling up the tank? would i see any improvements by doing this?

Thanks

ive never noticed any, whats wrong with using the recommended octane the owners manual says to use? all i know is ive seen a good improvement since i stopped using fuel with ethanol

4.6 Punisher · #3 09-28-2009, 07:52 PM

It will only slightly improve mileage and depending on the brand, might make it slightly cleaner. You can only take full advantage of the higher octane fuels with a programmer.

MudTerrain · #4 09-28-2009, 08:12 PM

There's no advantage to using higher octane fuels unless your have pinging or custom tunes...

glc · #5 09-28-2009, 09:14 PM

If you have a knock sensor, you may notice a slight improvement in performance and economy, but not worth the extra cost.

**Bluejay** · #6 09-28-2009, 10:58 PM

use the octane that your tune calls for. Stock, 87.

F150man21 · #7 09-29-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluejay

use the octane that your tune calls for. Stock, 87.

x2.

Jeff51 · #8 09-30-2009, 10:50 AM

Up here in my area the 89 octane is 5 cents cheaper and that is why I use it!

Da Wolf · #9 09-30-2009, 11:20 AM

If you have no custom tunes and your engine is not knocking, stick with 87 But I would do my best to stay away from any gas that has ethanol in it. As it will cause your mpg to go down and may cause some loss in power.

glc · #10 09-30-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff51

Up here in my area the 89 octane is 5 cents cheaper and that is why I use it!

That's because your 89 is really 87 with the addition of 10% ethanol. If you are okay with the 10% less gas mileage, go for it.

30coupe · #11 10-19-2009, 10:33 PM

I lose at least 10% with ethanol blend (89 octane). At $2.50 a gallon, 89 would have to be at least $.25 a gallon cheaper to break even. Ethanol should not be used in motor vehicles, it is not clean, green, or efficient.

L Carlson · #12 10-19-2009, 11:33 PM

Where does a guy in Southwest florida find non ethanol Fuel? Lee

HCBPH · #13 10-20-2009, 06:21 PM

You want to try and find non-alcohol added gas here, I don't think it's possible without going to either av-gas or racing-gas. I think it was mandated that all gas have alcohol in it to help the farmers and alcohol plants. In all the years I've lived here, other than racing fuel, I don't remember seeing any gas without alcohol it in, like it or not.

Norm · #14 10-21-2009, 07:43 AM

Almost all gas has up to 10% ethanol now as it has replaced MTBE. This was done because MTBE was being found in wells and ground water. This was not done to sell corn.
My mileage has not suffered from the 10% blends up here in New England.

yetti96 · #15 10-21-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L Carlson

Where does a guy in Southwest florida find non ethanol Fuel? Lee

I have looked and looked for the past year of two since we have had it all over. None that I have seen but I mainly stick to the same stations. At one point in time the Hess "I think it is" on US 41, just south of Cypress Lake/Daniels had it on the west side fo the road. Acorss the entrance to Barnes and Noble.