Bronco Raptor Fuel Octane

[Dmorty217]

So in California we only have 91 octane as premium fuel. I’ve been running it for my first 10k miles as I assumed it was required. Reading this it seems 87 is the requirement but are folks actually running it? Based on gas prices it’s literally a $5ish difference per fill up. I’m guessing the difference is larger in states with 93

I’ve run both with no noticeable difference outside of cost. I get 13.8 mpg whether it’s 87 or 93. Also didn’t notice a performance increase but I do have aftermarket parts

Sponsored

 

[Ice Age]

Interesting thread and for sure debatable. But my feeling and driving experiences with many Ford higher performance motors has run better with Premium. I talk about this a lot in my videos how the 87 regular gas I believe does not give full power to the motor. But the premium fuel lets the motor run the best and most HP. I could be wrong but I buy a lot of vehicles and I just recently figured out the dealers put Regular fuel in vehicles that require Premium. I have purchased used High performance vehicles such as say the New Raptor Truck and as well owned the previous generation. The power did not feel that substantial on the new used 2022 already broken in. Than I remembered wow this truck is running on 87 and not until I ran 93 octane did the truck really come to life. And truly the same story on my new Raptor Bronco not feeling overly more powerful than my traded in Wildtrak. And once again I thought oh yeh they have the 87 octane in her but once I ran 93 I felt a difference as well. And I live behind the wheel of my vehicles doing 150-200 plus miles 5-6 days a week. And think about it why do people buy race gas or octane booster who do weekend tracking with there Mustangs or Hellcats it’s huge difference in power.

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

My 17 F-150 with 3.5 EB did better on 93, both in MPG and power. I notice zero difference in the Braptor between 93 and regular. Truck talked about better performance with premium, Raptor owners manual doesn't mention it.

 

[Ice Age]

My 17 F-150 with 3.5 EB did better on 93, both in MPG and power. I notice zero difference in the Braptor between 93 and regular. Truck talked about better performance with premium, Raptor owners manual doesn't mention it.

That’s great info Dave and I just assumed the Raptor would require a higher grade being I thought this was a HP motor over say another 3.0 motor. I have mentioned many times I was never interested in the Raptor and loved my WIldtrak so I did zero research on her. And believe it or not I read your review in another thread on the Raptor and since I have known you for years in the Harley Forum I took your word for the Raptor being worth it.

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

That’s great info Dave and I just assumed the Raptor would require a higher grade being I thought this was a HP motor over say another 3.0 motor. I have mentioned many times I was never interested in the Raptor and loved my WIldtrak so I did zero research on her. And believe it or not I read your review in another thread on the Raptor and since I have known you for years in the Harley Forum I took your word for the Raptor being worth it.

I am very impressed with the Raptor. I was very hesitant about switching my order from a 2 door Badlands to the Raptor. I liked the look of the 2 door better, and knew it was capable enough for what I would do. That said, the ride of the Raptor is better on road, the power is better, the stance is better. I am so very glad I did switch the order.

Very few vehicles have ever impressed me as much as this Raptor does.

MPG is the only thing that does not impress me. I was figuring 19 mpg when I ordered. Best I have done is 17, usually average 16.

 

[JohnGalt]

And think about it why do people buy race gas or octane booster who do weekend tracking with there Mustangs or Hellcats it’s huge difference in power. [/B]

There’s a lot to cover here, I’ll try to make this brief.

I worked overseas for large multinational oil co for 25+ years, while I’m no expert in gasoline blending and formulation my job required my to be conversant in the topic. This is what I learned

Regular and premium base gasoline have (basically) the same energy content.

Probably the primary thing that changes energy content today is the percentage of ethanol in your gasoline. Ethanol is useful as both to ‘cut’ gasoline to meet regulatory requirements (minimal ethanol content) and as octane booster.

Premium gasoline uses alkylate, ethanol and/or other blend components to raise octane above regular levels. They are generally better for meeting RVP requirements than ethanol. Meeting the various requirements is horribly complex set of cost benefit trade offs.

Due to market specific requirements such as California grade or summer grades, refiner/blenders will use different components to meet the octane and other regulatory requirements (e.g. VOC limits) at different times and places.

Ethanol is a inexpensive way to boost octane, but the trade-off is less energy content per gallon. This may seem counterintuitive. This is also why you see high ethanol content fuel sell for low prices.

Other octane boosting components are more expensive than base gasoline thus the higher price point.

Ethanol will definitely lower your mpg (less energy content) but MAY increase your performance, if your engine is TUNED to utilize higher octane.

Octane boosts power in engines TUNED to take advantage by making the fuel burn more slowly/evenly thus creating more efficient use of the energy content available. Thus premium and higher octane gasoline is best suited for high compression/boost and high temperature applications, where fuel economy is less important (like racing).

This is why you see different fuels for different tuning maps on aftermarket tuners (and even the standard Bronco motors). Typically you’ll notice higher compression tunes will require increasingly more octane. But MPG will almost certainly be lost as those compression ratios/boost pressures increase. Always a trade-off.

So probably the best middle of the road advice for typical driving is follow the automakers recommendation if your vehicle is stock (regular grade for Bronco Raptor). You’ll get the best combination of value, power and mpg. Their advice will also typically state premium may be helpful in high load (towing), high temperature and/or high altitude situations. It should give more power than regular in those instances

If you want more power, tune your engine and then run the appropriate fuel for your map.

Although some luxury mfgs used to stipulate premium when it wasn’t actually required. They did so obstensibly to meet the expectation that a luxury vehicle must have to run on premium fuel, right?

Refiners know this too. They’ll never/rarely make a claim that their premium will boost your power or mpg (they may say smoother power or something non specific) because they know folks love their cars and buy the expensive stuff cause it’s “better”.

 

[Spooled]

Don't have mine yet, but it's going to get nothing but 93. If it was my daily I would probably run 87 most of the time, though. Either way be sure to use top tier fuel only since this the 3.0 is DI only.

 

[Bronco2025]

I noticed slight pinging when using regular/87 in CA. I've since switched to premium/91.

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

Don't have mine yet, but it's going to get nothing but 93. If it was my daily I would probably run 87 most of the time, though. Either way be sure to use top tier fuel only since this the 3.0 is DI only.

I am use to buying only Top Tier gas, as it clearly states to only use top tier premium in my Corvette. So I have been using the same gas stations for the Raptor.

 

[FellowM3]

I am use to buying only Top Tier gas, as it clearly states to only use top tier premium in it. So I have been using the same gas stations for the Raptor.

Checked the tech specs of the Braptor and it shows it takes just regular.

I thought the 2.7 was rated for more HP if you use premium?

What are you guys using for the braptor?

is 91 or 93 needed?

incorrect. Owners manual shows regular (aka 87)

 

[FLSTFI Dave]

My 17 F-150 with 3.5 EB did better on 93, both in MPG and power. I notice zero difference in the Braptor between 93 and regular. Truck talked about better performance with premium, Raptor owners manual doesn't mention it.

I am use to buying only Top Tier gas, as it clearly states to only use top tier premium in my Corvette. So I have been using the same gas stations for the Raptor.

incorrect. Owners manual shows regular (aka 87)

Early in thread I had said that higher octane and improved performance was not mentioned in owners manual for Raptor

The one you quoted, I was reply to someone who said to use top tier gas. My reply was not clear with out seeing what I was reply into to. Made my post clearer.

I use premium in the Corvette, and the same Top Tier stations regular for the Raptor.

 

[FellowM3]

Agreed.
I also use 93 in my braptor. Wish is was flex fuel like the 2.7 where we get more power with 93

maybe I.l go jb4 route

 

[lewishamilton]

There’s a lot to cover here, I’ll try to make this brief.

I worked overseas for large multinational oil co for 25+ years, while I’m no expert in gasoline blending and formulation my job required my to be conversant in the topic. This is what I learned

Regular and premium base gasoline have (basically) the same energy content.

Probably the primary thing that changes energy content today is the percentage of ethanol in your gasoline. Ethanol is useful as both to ‘cut’ gasoline to meet regulatory requirements (minimal ethanol content) and as octane booster.

Premium gasoline uses alkylate, ethanol and/or other blend components to raise octane above regular levels. They are generally better for meeting RVP requirements than ethanol. Meeting the various requirements is horribly complex set of cost benefit trade offs.

Due to market specific requirements such as California grade or summer grades, refiner/blenders will use different components to meet the octane and other regulatory requirements (e.g. VOC limits) at different times and places.

Ethanol is a inexpensive way to boost octane, but the trade-off is less energy content per gallon. This may seem counterintuitive. This is also why you see high ethanol content fuel sell for low prices.

Other octane boosting components are more expensive than base gasoline thus the higher price point.

Ethanol will definitely lower your mpg (less energy content) but MAY increase your performance, if your engine is TUNED to utilize higher octane.

Octane boosts power in engines TUNED to take advantage by making the fuel burn more slowly/evenly thus creating more efficient use of the energy content available. Thus premium and higher octane gasoline is best suited for high compression/boost and high temperature applications, where fuel economy is less important (like racing).

This is why you see different fuels for different tuning maps on aftermarket tuners (and even the standard Bronco motors). Typically you’ll notice higher compression tunes will require increasingly more octane. But MPG will almost certainly be lost as those compression ratios/boost pressures increase. Always a trade-off.

So probably the best middle of the road advice for typical driving is follow the automakers recommendation if your vehicle is stock (regular grade for Bronco Raptor). You’ll get the best combination of value, power and mpg. Their advice will also typically state premium may be helpful in high load (towing), high temperature and/or high altitude situations. It should give more power than regular in those instances

If you want more power, tune your engine and then run the appropriate fuel for your map.

Although some luxury mfgs used to stipulate premium when it wasn’t actually required. They did so obstensibly to meet the expectation that a luxury vehicle must have to run on premium fuel, right?

Refiners know this too. They’ll never/rarely make a claim that their premium will boost your power or mpg (they may say smoother power or something non specific) because they know folks love their cars and buy the expensive stuff cause it’s “better”.

This is a very good write up, thanks for the informaiton!

While I don't feel the difference in power or any MPG improvement on 91 compare to 87, and I don't do towing at all, however, I live in a very cold area. December to end of February will be about -15 to -30 C ( -5 to -22 F), do I get any benefit for filling up with 91?
I do remote start my car and let it sit about 8-10 mins idle two times a day, and my commute to work is only 6km one way, which means coolant and oil temp are not running at the optimal temperature most of the time...

 

[PSUTE]

Noticed the difference between what I usually run, Exxon or Sunoco and the times I bought mini market gas, for what it's worth...

 

[Thiskers]

I only use the piss of a unicorn that is in his prime in my 2.7. I'll be damned if I let some inferior octane combust in my engine.

Sponsored