Gasoline octane & MPG

[buckingup]

Good old California....

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[Boostedblues]

Wasn't someone showing some crazy differences in fuel economy between standard E10 and E0? It was in this same ballpark if I recall. Their Bronco really did not like E0 at all, despite the octane rating being identical, which surprised me and a few other people.

From what I have heard from some one that builds Eco boost engines. they don't like non ethanol fuel. It actually needs some ethanol to run correctly.

 

[Boostedblues]

I've used both and there was no difference in MPG... So I use the cheapest 87 i can find. Unless I'm racing or driving it hard.

 

[broncobase1]

I consistently average 21 in city (all stop & go no highway) and 25 on the highway with my 2.3L Base. Keeping your foot out of it is going to make the biggest difference. I seldom accelerate from a light with boost. If I need it like entering traffic sure I’ll punch it, but this is rare. On the highway keeping the speed down makes a difference. Of course, Sasquatch/BL trim is going to cost you. Big heavy tires and low gearing equal poor MPG. Nobody gets a vehicle like this for MPG, but from my research no 4WD truck is better and most are worse – again referring to the Base model which is rated 4MPG better than Sasquatch. The only time I have used anything other than 87 is in high altitude areas when the only choice was 85 or 89.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I consistently average 21 in city (all stop & go no highway) and 25 on the highway with my 2.3L Base. Keeping your foot out of it is going to make the biggest difference. I seldom accelerate from a light with boost. If I need it like entering traffic sure I’ll punch it, but this is rare. On the highway keeping the speed down makes a difference. Of course, Sasquatch/BL trim is going to cost you. Big heavy tires and low gearing equal poor MPG. Nobody gets a vehicle like this for MPG, but from my research no 4WD truck is better and most are worse – again referring to the Base model which is rated 4MPG better than Sasquatch. The only time I have used anything other than 87 is in high altitude areas when the only choice was 85 or 89.

Altitude definitely plays a role. I'm at low level.

 

[Montana Bronco]

I use a lot of outboard gas for my fishing guide business, specifically 91 octane “recreation gas”, meaning no ethanol.

Just to make it easy if I am pressed for time, I will fill up my Bronco at the same time using the recreation gas. Other times, if I am being cheap, which is most of the time, I turn the pump off and start a new transaction using 87 octane.

It is over $10 more per fill up to use 91 octane instead of 87 and I notice zero improvement in performance.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

Wasn't someone showing some crazy differences in fuel economy between standard E10 and E0? It was in this same ballpark if I recall. Their Bronco really did not like E0 at all, despite the octane rating being identical, which surprised me and a few other people.

When you say E0, that means ethanol free right? I have been putting in 87 ethanol free since I got the dealer gas out. Is it better to do 87 with ethanol?

 

[2021FordBronco2]

What if you shit your pants since you have the MGV interior?

Doesn't count, the extra weight is still on the inside of your Bronco just in a slightly different spot.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

Sometimes it's the fuel.

A couple of weeks ago I filled up at Walmart because my wife noticed the cheaper price there, then drove from Idaho to Utah. I've taken that particular trip multiple times, but this time I got at least 15% lower mileage than on previous trips. This is one of the few times I couldn't get at least 300 miles out of a tank. When I filled it up in Snowville, the first town inside Utah, the mileage immediately improved.

Coming back I filled up at that same station in Snowville and did 4 mpg better than the trip going there. I think I learned that the 8% cheaper price at Walmart was not worth 15% worse mileage.

All trips through this particular section of road were with the cruise control set at 70 mph with tires inflated to around 38 psi. I drove the same way every time, it was the fuel that made the big difference.

How many people passed you or got upset; I get passed on the 84 going 84 in my old vehicle.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

I put the 35's on my BB an only lost about 1 mpg. I don't have the gears of course but I think it's fine for me. Being an SUV off road vehicle type I drive it pretty tame IMO but one of my buddy's says I'm a little too aggressive. I told him good thing he neve rides in the work car I drive at work!

FYI I avg about 21.5 winter an 22.5 summer.

What fuel type and octane do you put in, I have been averaging 18 MPG since I have swapped over and also don't drive too aggressive.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

From what I have heard from some one that builds Eco boost engines. they don't like non ethanol fuel. It actually needs some ethanol to run correctly.

Does it harm the engine to put non ethanol into it?

 

[Ducati1098]

Does it harm the engine to put non ethanol into it?

No, not at all

 

[Boostedblues]

Does it harm the engine to put non ethanol into it?

Seems like in the long run it could.
Here is the screenshot of the post. He is dealing with the Focus RS & ST cars. He says that non ethanol fuel causes more ignition corrections aka knock, as to where the fuel with 10% didn't cause any knock at all.

 

[crenca]

Seems like in the long run it could.

Why? In the early aughts the government required all new vehicles to be built in such a way to handle E15. Before this certain hoses, seals, and the like were often used that could deteriorate prematurely with ethanol in the fuel, but that has not been the case for 20 years now.

The only caveat could be oil life, so perhaps those who are trying to extend their oil rotations to > 7500 miles might see what they can find out about how the oil they use is effected by dilution by fuel with ethanol. That said the vast majority of fuel sold in the USA is already at least 5% ethanol, often 10% during the winter.

 

[2021FordBronco2]

Seems like in the long run it could.
Here is the screenshot of the post. He is dealing with the Focus RS & ST cars. He says that non ethanol fuel causes more ignition corrections aka knock, as to where the fuel with 10% didn't cause any knock at all.

Hmm, good to know. Will try running 91 with ethanol and see if I feel a difference.

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