Ford F150 Performance Reflects Octane Level; 93 Definitely Better

Okay, now, the results are in, and the performance difference between 87 and 93 octane gasoline is – let’s way a minute and set things up, and then we’ll get to the reveal.

Ford F150 EcoBoost Gassed Up

Let’s start with the last time you went into a gas station to put fuel into your Ford F150 EcoBoost engine. Like as not, you looked at the pump and noticed the three octane ratings 87, 90, and 93. And, perhaps you wondered what would happen if you jumped from the 87 octane you are using with your Ford EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 to the top grade 93. Would it make a difference?

For some people, the answer is a definite no; gas is gas is gas. While for other people, the answer is a strong yes; premium 93 octane gas makes a huge difference in performance. Notice, though, these are just opinions. At best, they may have a bit of added information about octane. Perhaps, the folks with the views know that the octane rating is a reflection of the anti-knock quality of the gasoline (at least that is what octane was at the start). Today, it has taken on the role as a predictor of performance. It’s quite a difference; but does it make sense to even refer to it anymore?

Car & Driver wondered about this as well recently. So, it took four popular vehicles, including the Ford F150 pickup, powered by the automaker’s top-end 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. The engine has a rating if 450 horsepower with 510 pounds-feet of torque. This is the engine used in Ford’s high-end pickup, the Raptor. C&D measured the power potential and determined that the engine cranks out 128.7 horsepower per liter. Meantime, the Raptor not only has more power but it also performs much better on a high-speed run.

And, The Findings Are

Here are the findings:

With the fuel tank filled with 93 octane gasoline, the Ford F150 runs from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds. It is quite an impressive achievement when you consider that the Ford F150 weighs nearly three tones (5,594-pounds). Now, when the C&D crew switched over to 87 octane fuel (regular) performance dipped noticeably. The Ford F150 lost 20 horsepower. Overall performance reflects that dip.

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Although the 0 to 60 time was only a few tenths different, 5.9-second versus the 5.3 of 93 octane, the Ford F150 dropped half-a-second to 14.5 seconds on the quarter-mile, and in the speed trap, the difference was four mph.

Further, 87 octane gasoline showed a dip in turbo performance of 1.9 psi. Further, when they took the Ford F150 out onto the highway and set the cruise to 75 mph overall fuel economy was also better with. On seven octane gas, the EcoBoost engine achieved 17 mpg, while the 93 octane fuel returned 17.6 mpg.

Ford F150 Owner Will Pay More For Performance

One thing you will give up is some money because the price for premium is higher than regular. However, think of this another way: though you are spending more for premium gasoline, you are gaining power and mileage over 87 octane. It is a noticeable difference, and it does justify using the higher octane product.

Follow Marc Stern, the Ford F150 Reporter for Torque News with news and tips about Ford trucks at @iraradioguy or on Facebook at mstern001.

Source: Car & Driver