Mobil has less energy due to their formulation. They claim it is cleaner. Sunoco always gives me better mileage from tens of thousands of miles testing. I actually logged all my gas purchases on my 01 Screw 5.4 and tracked mileage for all 146K miles before I traded it. Mobil always gave the worst mileage. Shell, Sunoco and Texaco gave the best. Citgo and Irving were middle of the road. Your mileage may vary due to regional distribution of gas.

 

I ran 91, 93 and 94 octanes since 2000 till 2009. From what I gathered, it ran better. I had a chip which required at least 91 octane though. My plugs looked really good whenever they were changed, truck ran clean (e-tests) and noiseless. Now it seems I have a lot more of a knock and that's about it. Yes, I did have to take the chip out as it was and not allowing my truck to start, so thereafter went back to 87 go-go juice!

Run high octane once in a while maybe on hwy trips to burn the crapola out a bit. Techron is great stuff as someone in the industry told me, not a Chevron rep either!

 

Good to know, thanks Norm! I guess I'll be getting gas at Sunoco then and adding a Techron bottle at oil changes. It kind of sucks though because Hess and Mobil have stations open 24 hours, I don't know of any Sunocos that are open late..I'll just have to make sure I fill up early.

 

Yeah that's what I figured, couldn't hurt..but I like it this way too with just putting in 87 and adding the Techron. That's a nice stepside truck, I see you have the limited slip axle..I have the open axle on mine, it's a pain in the a** to have to use 4 wheel drive for just a little bit of snow.

 

Thanks, lots of people love it because it's rare, gives me an ego The limited slip is nice, but I still spin and fishtail for fun! No complaints though about that, the tires are good in the snow too which helps A LOT!

 

Good grief!

Just put ANY name brand 87 octane gas in it that you want! If you throw a bottle of Techron in it at every oil change, you will have NO problems. If Hess and Mobil are convenient, USE IT.

Every truck is different. Last time I was in NY State, I filled up with Sunoco on the Thruway and it got crappy mileage. Last time I was in NJ, I filled up with Hess and got decent mileage. I get my BEST mileage on BP, which is not available in my area. I usually run Conoco, Casey's, or Walmart gas here. They all work well, but none of them gives me decent mileage because we have E-10 by law. I bought a load over at Sam's the other day and THAT stuff is awful. Mileage totally sucks. Runs fine though.

 

If you like Hess use it and just add the Techron to your fuel tank with your oil changes. I have not used Hess so I have no personal experience as far as mileage goes. It is not a big deal. Merry Christmas!

 

I use whatever gas is available when I need it. Ontario has a brand called Pioneer and it gives me what seems to be the best bang for my buck. I have to burn a minimum of 91 and it is always less expensive than the brand names. I never use fuel additives because I don't believe they are necessary. When I want to go fast I run 94 and switch the tune.

 

Already been posted that buying higher is a waste of money.

The condensation happens when the tank sits empty, not just from the fuel sitting in there. This is why a lot of the fuel depots went to the floating top on the tanks.

Want better bang for you buck ( while purchasing the correct octane ) buy a fuel that has a higher BTU content.

I learned this some time back from Mike T.

Sunoco & Valero are the ones I recall Mike saying had the highest BTU content.

I think the thread was in the tuner section some time ago ( 03 ?? ).

Don't purchase bottom puller gas and you will do fine using what is recommended.

If you really want to run a higher octane fuel, might as well get a tuner and take advantage of it, not sense letting it go to waste.

 

Ok good stuff, I'll give Sunoco a try..and Merry Christmas to all

 

ay how do u advance your timing and what does it do?

 

Advancing the timing is a thing of the past, it is computer controlled on the newer vehicles. I think '96 was the last year you could do that on these trucks? You could adjust the timing on the 302, but not the 4.6 and 5.4..unless there's a way to get into the computer settings?

 

You'd have to physically move the CPS to change the timing on a modular. Some vehicles have an "octane adjust shorting bar" in the engine bay harness, but it's hard to find documentation on what it does.

Yes, '96 was the last year for an F150 distributor.

 

From the 97 PCED manual.

Octane Adjust Shorting Bar

The Octane Adjust (OCT ADJ) shorting bar (Figure 45) is used to retard spark timing. Removal of the shorting bar from the in-line connector will typically retard spark three degrees. The purpose of the OCT ADJ self-test is to check the state of the OCT ADJ shorting bar. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be present if the shorting bar is removed or if there is an open circuit. The OCT ADJ shorting bar is similar in shape to the SPOUT in-line connector. On some applications the Power Steering Pressure (PSP) circuit will also have a similar shorting bar connector. DO NOT remove the shorting bar unless directed by a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB).

 

By purchasing a tuner (Gryhpon, SCT) with custom tunes written for your chosen octane (89, 91, 93, etc.).

In short, the tuner will program the PCM to start ignition earlier in the compression cycle (before top dead center). This raises cylinder pressures and in turn translates into more hp.