Which octane
Thread Starter
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 13, 2007
Posts: 423
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Which octane
I was looking in the manual and saw that Ford says to use BP 87 in the Mustang. For those of you that don't have a special tune, is that what you use, or would it be better to pay for the midgrade 89 octane instead?
Are there any pros or cons to using higher octane fuel than recommended other than the extra cost of gas?
Thanks.
Are there any pros or cons to using higher octane fuel than recommended other than the extra cost of gas?
Thanks.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: July 4, 2006
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Area
Not really any pros to using higher octane gas if your car is not tuned for it. Use any name brand gas in the 87 flavor and be happy.
Cons of using higher octane:
1. Wallet feels lighter
2. No performance increase
3. Possibility of carbon buildup inside engine
4. Helping out Exxon/Mobil with their bottom line
Pros:
1. Zero possibilty of pinging or "spark knock"
Cons of using higher octane:
1. Wallet feels lighter
2. No performance increase
3. Possibility of carbon buildup inside engine
4. Helping out Exxon/Mobil with their bottom line
Pros:
1. Zero possibilty of pinging or "spark knock"
Cobra Member
Joined: October 15, 2004
Posts: 1,020
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Before the tuner I ran 87 all the time, actually I just downgraded to the 87 "performance" tune on my last fill up. Even if the savings is only $2.00 per fill up it's the principle.
I wouldn't put anything else in without a tune.
I wouldn't put anything else in without a tune.
Authorized Advertiser
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I was looking in the manual and saw that Ford says to use BP 87 in the Mustang. For those of you that don't have a special tune, is that what you use, or would it be better to pay for the midgrade 89 octane instead?
Are there any pros or cons to using higher octane fuel than recommended other than the extra cost of gas?
Thanks.
Are there any pros or cons to using higher octane fuel than recommended other than the extra cost of gas?
Thanks.
If you havent done any performance mods on the car that would require higher octane - dont spend the money. There is no gain to be had by using higher octane when its not needed. Octane is the fuels ability to resist ping. There is a good article on my web site (www.RStangsOC.com) on octane ratings. I didnt write the article - found it a long time ago when I used to host a web site for VW's
Save your money - and enjoy your car
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Member
Joined: September 27, 2006
Posts: 19
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? As long as you are buying gas at all, the oil companies are just as happy, regardless of the octane. Of course, this assumes that you had an appropriate tune for the higher octane gas. If not, then higher octane gas IS a waste.
V6 Member
Joined: May 2, 2007
Posts: 76
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This is a copy of a post I put up over on Mustang Forums a short while ago. Gas has gone up for me about 20 cents a gallon on average, so the cost benefit has gotten even more...
I know I am opening pandora's box on this one... but I'm going to put this out there anyway.
I've seen alot of posts asking about performance gains of 91 or 93 octane vs 87. Like everyone else, I will say that there is no gain in power to be had simply by going to a higher octane fuel without tuning for it. However, after 10,000 miles of tracking the gas mileage on my stang, I can say for me, with my driving habits, there is a slight mileage benefit to it, enough so that that good gas is slightly cheaper to run than the cheap gas.
Now, I haven't even posted this yet and I can already see the BS flags coming up and people telling me I need to check my math or get a new calculator, so I will post the math up here. I track my mileage religiously because I get reimbursed for fuel and mileage with my work, so the cheaper my drive is, the move money I make from it. I do not use the computer in the car (mine doesn't even have it), and I always fill the tank at the same pump and I operate it myself, so the filling technique is the same. The mileage is only when I am doing all highway miles and the only city driving is the 3 miles from my house to the highway. I cruise at 70 mph with the cruise control on. The C&L went on prior to me watching my mileage this closely. AC on or windows down is pretty much a wash, and the only real variable in the mileage is how hard I blast out of toll booths and through on ramps. So.. here's the numbers I have found:
I get between 20.3 and 20.6 MPG when I run 87 octane, which we will average at 20.4 for the math.
I get between 23.4 and 23.8 MPG when I run 93 octane, which we will average at 23.6 for the math.
Typical fill up is around 11 gallons for me, because I rarely run it down too much passed 1/4 tank.
20.4 mpg X 11 gallons: 224.4 miles between fillups.
23.6 mpg X 11 gallons: 259.6 miles between fillups.
The station I use (as of today anyway) 87 costs $2.53 a gallon, 93 is $2.81
2.53 a gallon X 11 gallons: $27.83 a tank
2.81 a gallon X 11 gallons: $30.91 a tank
$27.83 to fill up / 224.4 miles per fillup: 12.40 cents per mile in fuel cost
$30.91 to fill up / 259.6 miles per fillup: 11.91 cents per mile in fuel cost
And to take it one set further to make it apples to apples; to go 224.4 miles and refill with the 93, would cost 26.73 to fill up again... which works out to $1.10 a tank cheaper to go the same distance.
Now, if you are running cheap gas now, and run out with your next fillup and expect a huge jump in MPG, your not going to see it. It takes time for the engine to learn that it has good gas and can run a slight bit leaner and with slightly more timing to see these numbers. I would think on the order of 5 to 7 tanks might get you a good decent increase, maybe faster if you disconnect the battery on your car and let the computer reset.
Now, I am not saying that you should all go and run only the good gas. I'm not even saying that your mileage will match mine exactly. But I certainly think that if mileage or fuel costs are a concern to you at all, this may be something to consider. Try it and see how it works out for you.
I've seen alot of posts asking about performance gains of 91 or 93 octane vs 87. Like everyone else, I will say that there is no gain in power to be had simply by going to a higher octane fuel without tuning for it. However, after 10,000 miles of tracking the gas mileage on my stang, I can say for me, with my driving habits, there is a slight mileage benefit to it, enough so that that good gas is slightly cheaper to run than the cheap gas.
Now, I haven't even posted this yet and I can already see the BS flags coming up and people telling me I need to check my math or get a new calculator, so I will post the math up here. I track my mileage religiously because I get reimbursed for fuel and mileage with my work, so the cheaper my drive is, the move money I make from it. I do not use the computer in the car (mine doesn't even have it), and I always fill the tank at the same pump and I operate it myself, so the filling technique is the same. The mileage is only when I am doing all highway miles and the only city driving is the 3 miles from my house to the highway. I cruise at 70 mph with the cruise control on. The C&L went on prior to me watching my mileage this closely. AC on or windows down is pretty much a wash, and the only real variable in the mileage is how hard I blast out of toll booths and through on ramps. So.. here's the numbers I have found:
I get between 20.3 and 20.6 MPG when I run 87 octane, which we will average at 20.4 for the math.
I get between 23.4 and 23.8 MPG when I run 93 octane, which we will average at 23.6 for the math.
Typical fill up is around 11 gallons for me, because I rarely run it down too much passed 1/4 tank.
20.4 mpg X 11 gallons: 224.4 miles between fillups.
23.6 mpg X 11 gallons: 259.6 miles between fillups.
The station I use (as of today anyway) 87 costs $2.53 a gallon, 93 is $2.81
2.53 a gallon X 11 gallons: $27.83 a tank
2.81 a gallon X 11 gallons: $30.91 a tank
$27.83 to fill up / 224.4 miles per fillup: 12.40 cents per mile in fuel cost
$30.91 to fill up / 259.6 miles per fillup: 11.91 cents per mile in fuel cost
And to take it one set further to make it apples to apples; to go 224.4 miles and refill with the 93, would cost 26.73 to fill up again... which works out to $1.10 a tank cheaper to go the same distance.
Now, if you are running cheap gas now, and run out with your next fillup and expect a huge jump in MPG, your not going to see it. It takes time for the engine to learn that it has good gas and can run a slight bit leaner and with slightly more timing to see these numbers. I would think on the order of 5 to 7 tanks might get you a good decent increase, maybe faster if you disconnect the battery on your car and let the computer reset.
Now, I am not saying that you should all go and run only the good gas. I'm not even saying that your mileage will match mine exactly. But I certainly think that if mileage or fuel costs are a concern to you at all, this may be something to consider. Try it and see how it works out for you.
Former Vendor
Joined: January 11, 2007
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 0
From: Aston, PA
The 93 octane will burn much more clean as well. However, the only time you'll get a true performance gain that you can feel will be after your timing tables are set up for 93 as well (once you get an air intake and tune). You will gain a few small MPG's that will help off-set the cost. However, for a daily driver, or mostly non-highway driver (or an agressive driver such as myself) you will end up spending quite a bit more per month at the pump.
Once you get a cold air intake, and custom tune... you'll never want anything but 93 Octane anyway.
Chris Rose
Tillman Speed, Inc.
Once you get a cold air intake, and custom tune... you'll never want anything but 93 Octane anyway.
Chris Rose
Tillman Speed, Inc.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: February 8, 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
I was using 87 until someone, somewhere in this forum, told me the GT's should have 89. So I started using 89, just for the heck of it, to see if I could notice a difference.
Oh yeah, I noticed a difference all-right. Big cost difference, and TONS of carbon output.
Performance? Obviously nothing. Didn't even noticed a MPG difference. And I ran 89 for about 4-5 tanks, at least, so there was ample time to transition.
It's back to 87 for me. My wallet has stopped crying, and my pipes don't look like they came from a coal plant.
Oh yeah, I noticed a difference all-right. Big cost difference, and TONS of carbon output.
Performance? Obviously nothing. Didn't even noticed a MPG difference. And I ran 89 for about 4-5 tanks, at least, so there was ample time to transition.
It's back to 87 for me. My wallet has stopped crying, and my pipes don't look like they came from a coal plant.
V6 Member
Joined: May 2, 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Also, CR, I agree 100% Not a single thing to be gained performance wise from running the good gas. On a G-tech, my Et's were identical and my MPH picked up 1 (which could be notihng more than air temp differences) and the car pulls identically. Like I said tho, I get paid for fuel and mileage, so the little bit of extra it costs me when I am blasting around on the weekends, is made up for driving to work.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: September 3, 2004
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
From: Beautiful New Hampshire!!!
I've always ran 89, when it cost the same as 87, that is. A Citgo (go ahead, blast me!!) local to me sells just 87 and 89, for the same price, so I've been buying the 89 in preparation for a CAI and tune (just to get into the habit). I didn't get an 87 tune b/c I wanted to stay w/ the 89, plus, its only about $1.40 to $1.60 difference per tankful if I gassed up somewhere else. When I have used 87, I get worse mpg, even on the hwy, especially with BP fuels. Just my opinion, of course!!
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: October 9, 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
Ordinarily, I fill up with 89 or 91 octane. Most gas stations around here are 87, 89, 91, with a few 94s. I geuss its mainly just physcological, even if there are no benefits.
However, right now im trying to clean out my tank with 94 so I can get my new tune installed.
However, right now im trying to clean out my tank with 94 so I can get my new tune installed.
Cobra Member
Joined: October 15, 2004
Posts: 1,020
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I'm sorry, what principle is that? That you are willing to sacrifice performance and gas mileage on a $30,000 vehicle to save $2 per fill up ? As long as you are buying gas at all, the oil companies are just as happy, regardless of the octane. Of course, this assumes that you had an appropriate tune for the higher octane gas. If not, then higher octane gas IS a waste.
? As long as you are buying gas at all, the oil companies are just as happy, regardless of the octane. Of course, this assumes that you had an appropriate tune for the higher octane gas. If not, then higher octane gas IS a waste.Yea, I can totally FEEL a differance between my 91 octane tune and 87 while putting around town. Truth is I can't feel any differance in my daily drive to and from work. I suppose some people can somehow "feel" a 5 hp increase but I'm not one of them.
Anyway I cannot, NOT buy gas, so in my small way it makes me feel just a little bit better. If you don't get it, thats fine, no need to point fingers, I'll do my thing and you can do yours.
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