Fuel grade effects on MPG

[Tricky Dick]

There's been plenty of thoughts on the relationship between octane and mileage, and in my limited testing premium does seem to give a small boost.

Well C&D did some testing. No Broncos, but they did have a 3.5EB F150. Interestingly enough, the highest percentage gain was with the F150. Still, cost per mile seems to be a wash at best.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28565486/honda-cr-v-vs-bmw-m5-ford-f-150-dodge-charger/

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[kodiakisland]

Yeah. 0.6 MPG gain going from 87 octane to 93 octane. Cost per mile doesn't seem to be there, and around here 93 octane is rare.

 

[Daktari]

even out here in CA the difference between filling up with regular to premium isn't all that much, I only put premium in. But I also don't have a commute, nor would this truck be what I'd use for commuting more than a couple miles. I have the 2.7, hope feeding it the good stuff will keep it in a good mood and not drop and valves

But really, savings aren't really substantial, so why go for the lower grade anyway?

 

[1975U15]

“Electric vehicles are decades away from showing up en masse at country-music concerts, county fairs, and Tractor Supply parking lots. True go-anywhere autonomy will prove as elusive as finding satisfying vegan bacon.”

Finally someone admitted it. Too bad they chose to be selective. Apparently only rednecks tow shit.

 

[PartyMarty]

even out here in CA the difference between filling up with regular to premium isn't all that much, I only put premium in. But I also don't have a commute, nor would this truck be what I'd use for commuting more than a couple miles. I have the 2.7, hope feeding it the good stuff will keep it in a good mood and not drop and valves

But really, savings aren't really substantial, so why go for the lower grade anyway?

Exactly, in CA there isn’t much of a premium for premium because it’s already so expensive to refine regular to CA emission standards. Eg: $4.65 vs $4.95 for 87 vs 91 is only a 6% difference, might as well get 91. In Texas regular is about $3.20 vs $3.80 for premium or a not insignificant 19% difference. Our premium is 93 octane though.

 

[Jhuff]

“Electric vehicles are decades away from showing up en masse at country-music concerts, county fairs, and Tractor Supply parking lots. True go-anywhere autonomy will prove as elusive as finding satisfying vegan bacon.”

Finally someone admitted it. Too bad they chose to be selective. Apparently only rednecks tow shit.

Exactly. My friend and I have always argued the future of electric. When the cyber truck and other EVs popped up they thought they won.

Not yet.... I think these things might be useful for city deliveries or suburban life as a car with more cargo room; but anyone who lives in the country, or actually uses the truck as a truck, will be very disappointed (or stranded) until the ranges improve quite a bit more.

 

[RHeinz]

“Electric vehicles are decades away from showing up en masse at country-music concerts, county fairs, and Tractor Supply parking lots. True go-anywhere autonomy will prove as elusive as finding satisfying vegan bacon.”

Finally someone admitted it. Too bad they chose to be selective. Apparently only rednecks tow shit.

After hearing the hype about all of the “clean” electric cars and how GM is planning on being 100% electric cars in 10 years, I wondered about the energy aspect of all this. I compared daily miles driven (on gasoline) at the average US fleet MPG (25 MPG) to the electric car energy consumption of KWH/100 miles (Kilowatt hours per 100 miles). Though the KWH/100 miles (efficiency ratings of electric cars) can currently vary from 30 to 90, the results are stunning. To make a long story short, even to convert half of the US fleet to electric, A. We’re going to have to build a shit load of power plants, or B. The price of electricity, which is already in short supply in many areas, is going to go through the roof.

Electric cars are perfect for daily city commutes. Unfortunately, the time when most people will want to charge them (when they get home from work) also corresponds to the peak electrical demand period.

 

[FilmcoBronci]

An Electric ride may give off fewer emissions but IMO, it isn’t truly “green” unless that vehicle, or the garage it sits in, have solar panels attached. Unless it’s in a solar or wind grid, It’s likely burning somebody’s coal or gas somewhere. Less, yes but still needs a break even.
I’m a long way from being a redneck but I have been using true 4WD to get to remote locations for work to film for decades. There aren’t enough charge stations for me yet.
But this was about gas… I try to keep 91 or 93 top tier premium in the tank and track a solid 2mpg difference over 87 octane on long trips.
Unfortunately, I have to dodge quite a few E-85 and 10% Ethanol stations in transit from Midwest to mountains.
Lots of GasBuddy clicks to schedule stops when off the main Interstate corridors.

 

[Itchysquatch]

Exactly. My friend and I have always argued the future of electric. When the cyber truck and other EVs popped up they thought they won.

Not yet.... I think these things might be useful for city deliveries or suburban life as a car with more cargo room; but anyone who lives in the country, or actually uses the truck as a truck, will be very disappointed (or stranded) until the ranges improve quite a bit more.

Agree, but it’s rapidly getting there. Solid state batteries could be the game changer. In rural areas it’s still a tough sell though, as the charging infrastructure needs to ramp up just as quick. Toyota, VW, and smaller start ups are all turning to solid state with range around 500 miles. Make a fun capable truck with that kind of range, and it may start to upset the market. BTW, I’m a petrol head… I just don’t think electric vehicles at this point are fun. Change that, and I’m in.

 

[JohnnyBronco]

“Electric vehicles are decades away from showing up en masse at country-music concerts, county fairs, and Tractor Supply parking lots. True go-anywhere autonomy will prove as elusive as finding satisfying vegan bacon.”

Finally someone admitted it. Too bad they chose to be selective. Apparently only rednecks tow shit.

Real life towing with a Tesla gets you 100-125 miles between charges, I would expect a F150 Lightning to do a little better but for long distance towing diesel is best

 

[Drex]

even out here in CA the difference between filling up with regular to premium isn't all that much, I only put premium in. But I also don't have a commute, nor would this truck be what I'd use for commuting more than a couple miles. I have the 2.7, hope feeding it the good stuff will keep it in a good mood and not drop and valves

But really, savings aren't really substantial, so why go for the lower grade anyway?

hovers around a 20% increase in the mid-west from 87 to 91/93. Torque is within a few percentage points, power is up with the higher, but only for the times you are moving your tach above 4500 RPM, which is a tiny percentage of the time. Having to increase fuel costs by 20% for that vanishingly small time while cruising probably over 99% of the miles driven seems foolish. If the engine will not be damaged, the lowest Octane you can run is always the most logical choice.

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