I have a 2000 F150 XLT Single Cab V6 4.2 with 5-speed transmission. I've been filling it up with the regular 87 octane unleaded gasoline. Will this affect the performance of the truck in any way at all? Let me know your experiences. Should I use 89 octane? If so, why? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

I have only used 87 Octane, never 89 or higher and I have over 4600 posts.

 

87 unless you have a chip........

 

I agree with these guys. I have only used 87 octane and never had any problems. I have an 01 with 34,000 miles. If you look in the owners manual it states 87 octane as well and tells you that if you use a higher octane that it is basically a waste of money.

If you have a chip then you have to use, I think 92 or 93 octane.

The important thing to note is only use good quality fuel, not some mom and pop store selling some off brand or no name gas.

 

You know I always have put 87 octane in my 4.2, 2000xl, manual. Monday night I put in 93 octane. Its not me, my truck is smoother and has a little more pep in its step. I don't know about a waste of money? I have enjoyed driving her hard this week.

 

What is it with cheap gas?
Let's hear the reasons why. Then, what makes one brand of gas better than another?
Won't this change depneding what region you're in too... even what station (of the same brand) you go to?

 

I use Shell 89 octane. My truck will lightly ping on any 87 around here. I've noticed my truck runs smoother, and the pinging has stopped ever since I started using Shell 89. For 10 cents more per gallon, it's cheap insurance for my engine.

 

For those of you who say higher octane does more harm than good, I've used 89 for 2.5 years and have had 0 problems in 28,650 miles. Try it, you'll like the results. Less pinging and smoother performance=a better engine. Here's why: The ECU in our trucks is constantly changing A/F ratios and spark timing to make up for weather and altitude changes. The ECU tries to make the engine get the best possible mpg and power economy. The only problem with this is that to get the best possible mpg and economy, the engine has to run a little on the lean side. Which results in pinging or knocking. That is why I use 89 octane. Just my opinion and preference.

 

I think everyone has posted great points and ideas. All I know is my babe likes the expensive stuff. Almost sounds like I'm talking about my wife. I drive her hard. SHE IS GOD!!!!!

 

I am by no means a fuel expert. I have read information on the net, but mostly right here on F150online. If you go to the Superships forum ask Mike from superchips he would be able to explaine it much better then me since he has alot of knowledge on the subject.

I do know it has to do with energy content of the fuel which is, I believe, what some of the additives do to the fuel. Different stations will have different additives added to the fuel. The mom and pop stores, or cheap no name stations do not usally add any additives to keep cost down so they can make a little money from it since they don't tend to sale the amount that say a brand name station would sale.

I noticed it right here in New Hampshire. I now only buy fuel from Texico. I get better mileage and performance with their 87 then 87 from Shell or some of the stations common to New Hampshire.

It does make a difference. Mike will even tell you that he recommends only certain stations to buy the 92 octane which is required when using a superchip.

If you really want to know start a thread on the Superchips forum and you will get some great answers as to the how and why's. I just can not tell you just why or how because I have no experience with it, except personal experience with changing over to Texico here and feeling for myself the difference in quality of fuel.

 

Or a wax expert...

RP

 

However, RockPick IS a fuel expert, he knows how to pass gas correctly and properly...

 

Around here I only trust Sunoco. One station had a pump failure and gas got everywhere and one station the tank cracked and moisture got into the fuel, Sunoco is "high" class. I only run 89. If I find spare change then for the hell of it I'll throw 94 just because it seems cool...

 

the best gas for your truck is the LOWEST octane you can run without experiencing detonation (pinging)

In most cases it is 87, at areas of elevation it may be 89.

JH

 

The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline

Are you tempted to buy a high octane gasoline for your car because you want to improve its performance? If so, take note: the recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane. In fact, in most cases, using a higher octane gasoline than your owner’s manual recommends offers absolutely no benefit. It won’t make your car perform better, go faster, get better mileage or run cleaner. Your best bet: listen to your owner’s manual.

The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane level is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars.

Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money, too. Premium gas costs 15 to 20 cents per gallon more than regular. That can add up to $100 or more a year in extra costs. Studies indicate that altogether, drivers may be spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year for higher octane gas than they need.

What are octane ratings?
Octane ratings measure a gasoline’s ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump.

What’s the right octane level for your car?
Check your owner’s manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.

How can you tell if you’re using the right octane level?
Listen to your car’s engine. If it doesn’t knock when you use the recommended octane, you’re using the right grade of gasoline.

Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better?
As a rule, high octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car’s engine. In fact, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.

Should you ever switch to a higher octane gasoline?
A few car engines may knock or ping — even if you use the recommended octane. If this happens, try switching to the next highest octane grade. In many cases, switching to the mid-grade or premium-grade gasoline will eliminate the knock. If the knocking or pinging continues after one or two fill-ups, you may need a tune-up or some other repair. After that work is done, go back to the lowest octane grade at which your engine runs without knocking.

Is knocking harmful?
Occasional light knocking or pinging won’t harm your engine, and doesn’t indicate a need for higher octane. But don’t ignore severe knocking. A heavy or persistent knock can lead to engine damage.

Is all "premium" or "regular" gasoline the same?
The octane rating of gasoline marked "premium" or "regular" is not consistent across the country. One state may require a minimum octane rating of 92 for all premium gasoline, while another may allow 90 octane to be called premium. To make sure you know what you’re buying, check the octane rating on the yellow sticker on the gas pump instead of relying on the name "premium" or "regular."

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm