POLL: Will 85 Octane Ruin The Bronco?

[AK SNO RIDER]

You can at higher al higher altitude run lower octanes. Its bery common. Air density is thinner at elevation. Even turbo charged.

The bigger question is with an engine thay is boosted and tuned for 91+ why allow the motor to retard timjng to accommodate a lower octane?

i have 1 station in my town that sells 91. The other is 85/87/89 and not top reir.

i would burn the top teir higheat octane i can buy. You MPG is ill increase at altitude due to the tinner air.

Did you have a stroke while typing this?

Get well soon

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[WilVis]

I’ve pretty much run straight 85 octane for the last 14,000 miles in my 2.3. At 5,000 feet or so. I don’t notice a huge difference driving nor do I notice knocking. Fuel economy has been good too. Since the Bronco is rated for 87 with the altitude adjustment, it’s been close enough for me.

I can see the argument that a turbo is going to behave differently at altitude than a NA engine so I’ve likely been mistaken in my assumption. If the turbo is creating equivalent pressures in the cylinders to sea level, it makes sense higher octane is better at altitude.

In my supercharged boat, I do run 91 but that’s because I should probably be fueling with 93 if it was even available around here.

 

[CarmeloS]

Well, you can tell who has never driven out West.

East coasters be like:

Ive been to a few western states, I got no idea why you guys dont have 93 like God intended

 

[kodiakisland]

Ive been to a few western states, I got no idea why you guys dont have 93 like God intended

I just hate going to the midwest and there's 4 different types of corn squeezins and one real gas plus diesel. 6 different handles on the pump and who knows if you what you're getting.

 

[Beach_Bum]

I just hate going to the midwest and there's 4 different types of corn squeezins and one real gas plus diesel. 6 different handles on the pump and who knows if you what you're getting.

FIFY

 

[Alanp970]

To be fair, how can the people with 2.7’s really hear if their Bronco is detonating over the noise of their cam phasers rattling?

 

[Montana Bronco]

I live at 7,500 feet and I use 85 octane. No problem. Anything else is just wasting money.

 

[JONNEE]

Not a Bronco, but my 4wd 2009 LT 5.3 L Flex has run 254k miles now with always the cheapest gas at the pump. (The fuel varies from 85-86-87, I suspect all with corn squeezins.) Oil changes every 4-5k miles. Spark plugs finally changed at around 200k miles. Fuel economy averages 14+ mpg, with highway around 20. I live at 1000', but have been to every drivable elevation in the lower 48. Plenty of get up and go.
YMMV. Literally
Cheers - Jon

 

[Tacanta14]

$3.559 to $3.999 is a .44 difference, not .30, but regardless, it's worth it to protect your investment to use 87, which I do even living at 7800'!

 

[SoDak1623]

LMAO, it's literally in the owner's manual that 87 should be the minimum used. The manual even states that yes there are some stations at higher elevations selling lower than 87 grades, but those should not be used. But it's really not my concern if others want to save pennies on fuel for their 40-65k vehicle.

 

[Fordified1]

Not a Bronco, but my 4wd 2009 LT 5.3 L Flex has run 254k miles now with always the cheapest gas at the pump. (The fuel varies from 85-86-87, I suspect all with corn squeezins.) Oil changes every 4-5k miles. Spark plugs finally changed at around 200k miles. Fuel economy averages 14+ mpg, with highway around 20. I live at 1000', but have been to every drivable elevation in the lower 48. Plenty of get up and go.
YMMV. Literally
Cheers - Jon

It’s literally a flex-fuel vehicle correct? . The Bronco is not.

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

i have 1 station in my town that sells 91. The other is 85/87/89 and not top reir.

Uncles vs Valero... used to like in Marfa.

 

[Red Sox 4Life]

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to bring up the idea about using 85 octane in the Bronco vs 87. Since I live in a high altitude city the basic fuel is 85 and midrange is 87. Since getting the Bronco I have been putting in 87 but was wondering if playing the extra 30 cents a gallon was saving the car or just burning it away. I looked around and heard augments from both sides stating that 85 is identical to 87 in higher climates and you shouldn't worry. I also heard that I should stick to what the owners manual states and follow that. I checked the manual and there is nothing that I could find about 85 octane and states to use a minimum of 87. Even the fuel door states 87+ with a sticker.

I don't think I have ever seen an owners manual bring up the idea of substituting 85 octane when above XXXX altitude. Anyone out here putting 85 octane in their Bronco and if so have you noticed any adverse effects?

Damn! Your gas is more expensive than Costco in San Bernardino CA!! Never thought I'd see that!

 

[Gnomad]

I like you guys saying premium is .30 or .44 a gallon more. Here it's a dollar more and $15-$20 a tankful more may be cheaper than burned pistons but still adds up.
If you are leasing the vehicle I'm sure 85 is fine. If you are in for the long haul buy accordingly.

 

[JONNEE]

It’s literally a flex-fuel vehicle correct? . The Bronco is not.

Yeah, it's literally a Flexfuel-labeled truck. However, I don't know that I've ever seen or used Flex fuel. I think that's mostly a midwest thing. Here in the west (Except for NM, I've not been east of I25 in the truck's lifetime) it just doesn't seem visible. However, all the fuels that I do get state that there could be up to 10% corn squeezins in them.

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