Hello,

I just purchased an '08 with a 5.4L engine. I was told by about 4 or 5 Ford employees, from salesmen to parts to mechanics, to use only cheap gas
(87), and that these new engines don't like premium grade.

Do you agree?

Thanks,

AJA

 

Hello,

I just purchased an '08 with a 5.4L engine. I was told by about 4 or 5 Ford employees, from salesmen to parts to mechanics, to use only cheap gas
(87), and that these new engines don't like premium grade.

Do you agree?

Thanks,

AJA

 

I don't know that they don't like premium but I think the manual says to use the 87 octane. Mine is a flex fuel vehicle and before I got a custom tune I would run either 87 or E85.

 

All they meant was that it was tuned for 87 octane. You can run premium fuel but IMO you wont gain anything from it.

 

Most people say that 87 is fine in the basic engines.
I have owned a 1998 and 2007 with 4.6L engines. I have run both on mostly Shell and Chevron 87 grade.
The 1998 did have a problem with 'Pinging' at one point. The problem was solved by a new MAF sensor. I had installed a K & N filter, which seemed to pass more dirt. I personally never noticed any increase in gas mileage after using the K & N, so I removed it and went back to stock.
My personal opinion is to simply use a good quality 87. Chevron is my first choice and it is a competitive price in my area.
Good luck.

 

I don't think there is any advantage or disadvantage to running 87 octane in our engines in regards to performance. The only thing you will be doing is burning money if you do run a higher octane because our engines do not create enough heat in the cylinders to efficiently burn a more stabe fuel.

 

No benifits to using a higher octane than 87 on a stock motor/ stock tune.

 

They are correct but perhaps a bit misleading. First, as mentioned, it simply a waste of money running a higher octane then is required (if your engine is in good working order) and second, it can be harder on the engine as a higher octane basically is more resistant to detonation. While the engine will automatically adjust, it may not run as well.

 

Read your owner's manual, it plainly states to use 87 (they say BP, but, who can afford BP gas?).

That is all I run in my 08 and my 98. Like stated before, I had a pinging problem in my 98 and the K&N was the culprit there as well.

The only reason you should change octain is if you add a tune to the picture.

 

Use the lowest octane fuel you can get away with.

 

Thats what I run in my 08. Its a 4.6 but its also what is recomended in the manual. I wouldnt waste my money on premium, unless you have a tuner that calls for it.

 

You should always run the octane that matches the engine's tune. They come from the factory tuned for 87. If you have a tuner and change the program for higher performance, it can be tuned for 89, 91, or 93. If you run anything high octane than your tune calls for you are wasting money and leaving carbon deposits in the engine. One othr thing, always run a top ier gas that has a goo detergent, such as Shell, Texaco, Conoco, Phillips 66, and Chevron. There are others, those just come to mind.

 

The only time high octane is a benefit is if you get a tuner that has programs to take advantage of it. Use low octane quality gas preferably with Techron

 

Thanks very much for the quick input.
One other question...my being new to all this, what is meant by a Tuner?

Thanks again,

AJA

 

Thanks for the quick reply.
Sorry for being such an amateur, but what is meant by Tuner?

Thanks again,

AJA