2010-2014 Mustang Information on The S197 {GenII}

Does anybody run reg 87 octane fuel in their 302?

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Old 1/20/12 | 09:22 AM
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Does anybody run reg 87 octane fuel in their 302?

With the rising cost of gasoline(again) I read in my owners manual that 87 octane fuel can be used with a reduction of HP .
I have been running 87 in mine for about 4 months with no side effects
Haven't goten on it, but car runs surprisingly well getting about 24 mpg
average easy diving, I will probably go back to premium in the summer
Old 1/20/12 | 12:08 PM
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Same - I don't notice a difference in the least. Guess I might if I was drag racing it but for normal day to day driving, I see no difference. I've kept very close track to see if the mileage is any worse with 87 and I haven't see a noticeable difference, and certainly not enough to make cover the additional $4 or so per tank it costs for 91 versus 87.
Old 1/21/12 | 06:51 AM
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For the difference in a tank of gas between 87 and 93 I just run the 93. Car isn't a daily driver anyways so a tank can last me a few weeks.
Old 1/21/12 | 08:08 AM
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I split the difference and run 91. Safe everywhere, max power when needed (yeah right on public roads in the winter).
Old 1/21/12 | 12:12 PM
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I run 93 because we don't have 91 and will continue to do so because I need the 5 extra horsepower.
Old 1/21/12 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by TheReaper
I run 93 because we don't have 91 and will continue to do so because I need the 5 extra horsepower.
I think it's 10. lol
Old 1/21/12 | 01:14 PM
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For saving only $3 - $4 per tank, I wouldn't risk it. In my RX8 that required premium, running anything less caused detonation. Especially with ethanol being blended and the reports of incorrect octane ratings, you can't even really trust 87 truly being 87.
Old 1/21/12 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by MyStang2010GB
For the difference in a tank of gas between 87 and 93 I just run the 93. Car isn't a daily driver anyways so a tank can last me a few weeks.
Originally Posted by 5LHO
I split the difference and run 91. Safe everywhere, max power when needed (yeah right on public roads in the winter).
Since 91 is the highest octane available in many states, the car is optimized for 91 octane. Unless you can only get 93, you're wasting your money using it (of course, if you have been tuned for it, that's a different story.

Originally Posted by jskup1
For saving only $3 - $4 per tank, I wouldn't risk it. In my RX8 that required premium, running anything less caused detonation. Especially with ethanol being blended and the reports of incorrect octane ratings, you can't even really trust 87 truly being 87.
Hard to argue with that, but I think this motor is infinitely more flexible than that rotary. I've run at least 20 tanks of 87 through mine with zero noticeable difference. Only real difference I've seen is when I was able to find pure gasoline. The car loves it.
Old 1/21/12 | 04:03 PM
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Hmmm wonder If they have pure gasoline around me. You got it at a station or a racing spot?
Old 1/21/12 | 07:32 PM
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To prevent detonation, the knock sensor system adjusts the timing in response to the fuel octane being used, resulting in a loss of ten HP at the top end.

87 octane is perfectly safe, and IMO is a painless way to save money, unless you just gotta have those last ten HP.

Last edited by jimmbbo; 1/21/12 at 07:37 PM.
Old 1/21/12 | 10:58 PM
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if sunoco still had 85 i'ld use it.

the little gain isn't worth the big cost







.

Last edited by cinque35; 1/22/12 at 11:45 AM.
Old 1/21/12 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 2012GTCS
Hmmm wonder If they have pure gasoline around me. You got it at a station or a racing spot?
Try buyrealgas.com and pure-gas.org - not a lot but still some spots out there.
Old 1/22/12 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 2012GTCS
Hmmm wonder If they have pure gasoline around me. You got it at a station or a racing spot?
Shame they still put a little lead in aviation gas which is 100. Just back from Dubai and shocked that their "low quality" gas is 95 and regular is 98 octane!!!
Old 1/22/12 | 01:51 PM
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Octane recommendations (5.0L V8 engine)
"Regular" unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as Regular with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.
For Shelby GT500 octane requirements, see the Shelby GT500 Supplement.
Page 292 of your Owner's Manual
Old 1/22/12 | 02:20 PM
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I have always used Premium, since it is 100% pure gasoline, in the area where I live. Everything else has Ethanol added.

According to a fact sheet, from Ford, with Premium you have the full 412 hp, while Regular will drop that to 404 hp...not even noticeable in "normal" driving.
Old 1/22/12 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SD CALSPCL
I have always used Premium, since it is 100% pure gasoline, in the area where I live. Everything else has Ethanol added.

According to a fact sheet, from Ford, with Premium you have the full 412 hp, while Regular will drop that to 404 hp...not even noticeable in "normal" driving.
402 with regular
Old 1/22/12 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by SD CALSPCL
I have always used Premium, since it is 100% pure gasoline, in the area where I live. Everything else has Ethanol added.

According to a fact sheet, from Ford, with Premium you have the full 412 hp, while Regular will drop that to 404 hp...not even noticeable in "normal" driving.
Since ethanol can be used to increase octane rating... buying "premium" fuel does not guarantee you're getting "100% gasoline"...

"Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel... It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner. Where the octane number is raised by blending in ethanol, energy content per volume is reduced."

The loss in maximum HP is due to the timing changes made by the knock sensing system to keep the fuel/air mixture from detonating...

Last edited by jimmbbo; 1/22/12 at 09:03 PM.
Old 1/22/12 | 09:04 PM
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If its a DD just use the lowest grade you can. You're not going to miss 10hp
Old 1/22/12 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by kylerohde
Since 91 is the highest octane available in many states, the car is optimized for 91 octane. Unless you can only get 93, you're wasting your money using it (of course, if you have been tuned for it, that's a different story.
93 is more available where I live than 91 is. I actually ran 91 a few times and could hear pinging....so went back to my favorite station and the 93
Old 1/22/12 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by MyStang2010GB

93 is more available where I live than 91 is. I actually ran 91 a few times and could hear pinging....so went back to my favorite station and the 93
What????


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