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Topic ClosedOctane grade for towing
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lgblau View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Feb 2018
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Posts: 140 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Octane grade for towing
    Posted: 23 Jun 2018 at 8:51am
Wow...So much for the great responses. I guess I had better just look for gasoline that is really 87 octane, and not something lower. Thx anyhow.
Leonard🌵
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2018 at 1:27pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by lostagain

What has me confused is when you go to the other side of Nowhere, in exotic places like UT and western CO you see octane ratings in the 84 and 85 range as the basic regular and 87 is a premium level.  I understand that altitude affects the octane rating but I live at the same basic altitude, and we only see 87.  So when I'm in UT do I need 85 or 87?  Beats me.  I put in 87 in the last place I gassed up in UT on US50 and when I got to civilization in just inside NV, near Baker, 87 was once again the "regular" gas.  WTF, did I get bamboozled once again by Phillips 66?  There was absolutely no discernible difference in the power and my mileage sucked because of a horrible headwind all afternoon crossing UT.  Once in civilization in NV it was like unicorns were pulling my truck in the morning sun.Thumbs Up
You may need to check which of the many methods of octane rating the station is using. Is it the RON, or the MON, or is it the blended ((R+M)/2)? The difference between RON and Mon is close to 10 units. Here in California, they use the blended ((R+M)/2)
I was reading some on this and at the higher altitudes, it seems like the lower 85 octane gasoline is acceptable because the thinner air means the lower octane gasoline will perform much like the 87 octane gasoline at sea level when it comes to detonation resistance. Still though, I prefer to stick with the manufacturer's minimum even if it means I am paying mid-grade prices for regular gasoline.

As for the grading method, it was the (R+M)/2 at all the pumps we visited on our trip.
StephenH
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2587 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jun 2018 at 10:44pm
In both UT and CO they were using the (R+M)/2 method as is pretty standard in most places I've been.  Thus, my dilema continues. 

I think next time I'll just buy the gas without ethanol.  What I need is an anemometer with a constant graph print out to measure the varying wind velocities, then compare the mileage with the wind factored in.  On second thought, I think I'll just keep cruising along and go slower when I need to.  Eventually, we'll arrive..... somewhere at any rate.   
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2018 at 8:43am
+1 😁
StephenH
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2018 at 12:59pm
You really do need to pay attention to the requirements of the engine. For example, the F-150 has four engine options. Two are normally aspirated (or NA); the 3.5L V6 and the 5.0L V8. Two are turbocharged (EcoBoost); the 2.7L V6 and the 3.5L V6. They all accept 87 octane fuel under normal conditions. However, the turbocharged models recommend higher octane for "severe duty", and specifically call out towing as an example.

Octane Recommendations

Do not be concerned if the engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel with the recommended octane rating, contact an authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.

2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost Engines

We recommend regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. Some stations offer fuels posted as regular with an octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. We do not recommend fuels with an octane rating below 87. To provide improved performance, we recommend premium fuel for severe duty usage, such as trailer tow.

3.5L V6 and 5.0L V8 Engines

We recommend regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. Some stations offer fuels posted as regular with an octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. We do not recommend fuels with an octane rating below 87.
bp
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2018 at 1:06pm
And just to flog this old horse a little bit more... It seems that the automobile industry is pushing for a single grade of fuel (95 octane) as a way to improve overall costs and efficiency.
bp
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Posts: 144 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2018 at 3:33pm
Big smile We have a winner  "Glueguy" Tongue  he said WE.  I'm going with him on this one. 
Happy Traveling,
Tom
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 2:10pm
Originally posted by mcarter

I think Dr. Science is stuck on the 7th page of 4 CYL Towing Thoughts, so much to do, so little time.

I for one gave up on the 7th page of ‘four cyl towing thoughts’!
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 3:56pm
+1, you can only say so much.
Mike Carter
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2018 at 4:42pm
Originally posted by mcarter

+1, you can only say so much.


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He had a word for people like that. He called them ‘Uncoachable’.
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