POLL: Will 85 Octane Ruin The Bronco?

[Fordified1]

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.

Flex fuel means it is designed to run on a variety of fuels including E85, and pretty much any variant of gasoline that you would find at a pump. It’s flexible get it? It’s able to adjust AF ratio and timing to compensate a wider variant, including alcohol levels and octane ratings, than a non “flex fuel” vehicle can.

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[freebob]

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?

Wow you pay alot for gas!!

 

[timhood]

This is where I landed too...EFI exists to overcome problems of carburetors. While I don't suspect that running 85 for a short time would be a catastrophe, I don't know that it's a long term solution.

FAAFO? lol Best of luck, regardless!

How long should one expect an engine to last on 85? Asking for a friend who has 120K on their EcoBoost engine.

 

[timhood]

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

Those seemed like scammy prices. The 2 octane jump from 85-87 was much more than the 4 octane jump from 87-91. Seems like they know their market: people afraid to put in 85 but don't want to pay for 91. So they get maximum profit from most customers.

P.S. I remember when the jump from regular to premium was only 20 cents.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

Praises be that I live down here in God’s country of the Deep South. Stars fell on the great sovereign State of Alabama and everything. Down here we gots good gas; 87, 89 for the confused, and 93 which = HOT DAMN!

In my big little V6 I run 93 in Summer, just cause I imagine I’ve convinced myself I can feel it when I putt putt around the trails, but in Winter it’s 89 because I’m of the confused and just like wasting money I guess.

Although I wouldn’t call the Bronco an expensive luxury vehicle, I do think the engine is expensive to repair and replace, so I get the altitude argument, but not sure it’s worth it.

However, out West y’all do get robbed for overpriced gas with them wacky octanes. 85 and 91, what a joke.

 

[cjacobalpinetx]

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

No Gas in Marfa i would buy.

uncles /Valero for the in in Alpine.

 

[OrangecrushBronco]

This poll is already flawed. The verbiage of the options contradicts the question. Will it ruin my Bronco? Yes, it's fine to use......

 

[CarmeloS]

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.

You’d think with how things are out there, have better quality gas, casually running 95-100oct like its nothing

love the west too, vast openness and from who I met, the people

 

[TomH]

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

We have 94 octane in CT @ Sunoco...

 

[CarmeloS]

We have 94 octane in CT @ Sunoco...

Gotta love Sunoco, but in general, isnt it just just 91?

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

This option was not open for voting: "Use the fuel grade that is suggested in the owner's manual".

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

No Gas in Marfa i would buy.

uncles /Valero for the in in Alpine.

Big Stripes was OK; Uncles, you would get your credit card number stolen, and Little Stripes was always out of gas.

 

[WholeLottaRosie]

It won't ruin the Bronco, only the engine


But cheaping out on Octane has always amazed me, especially with nice cars. Let's say you fill up once a week - $0.30 per gallon at 20 gallons is $6 per fill up, 52 weeks in the year means you'll pay $312 a year to put the proper gasoline in your vehicle. How much do we spend a year on payments, insurance, and accessories? And we're going to try to save a few hundred on the lifeblood of the vehicle?

I have the V6 and run 93 only - I didn't pay for the V6 to not get peak performance.

well said

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?

Looks like you can’t buy 92 either. Learn something everyday

Praises be that I live down here in God’s country of the Deep South. Stars fell on the great sovereign State of Alabama and everything. Down here we gots good gas; 87, 89 for the confused, and 93 which = HOT DAMN!

In my big little V6 I run 93 in Summer, just cause I imagine I’ve convinced myself I can feel it when I putt putt around the trails, but in Winter it’s 89 because I’m of the confused and just like wasting money I guess.

Although I wouldn’t call the Bronco an expensive luxury vehicle, I do think the engine is expensive to repair and replace, so I get the altitude argument, but not sure it’s worth it.

However, out West y’all do get robbed for overpriced gas with them wacky octanes. 85 and 91, what a joke.

 

[Bugkillah]

From the manual:

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.
Do not be concerned if the engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the engine knocks heavily while using fuel with the recommended octane rating, contact an authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent gasolines, where available to help minimize engine deposits and maintain optimal vehicle and engine performance.
For additional information, visit www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle was not designed can impair the emission control system, cause loss of vehicle performance, and cause damage to the engine which may not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:

• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based additives, including manganese-based compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is prohibited by law.

 

[timhood]

Tell me you’re in a 4-door without telling me:

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