2.3L ('02-'11) E88 in 2002 2.3L Duratec

[NickB05]

With the current gas price situation, I have been debating whether or not to run E88 in my Ranger (2002 2.3L 5-speed manual 2wd). Everything I have googled says that E88 can be used in any vehicles produced 2001 and beyond without issues. I know that E85 needs to be used in a flex fuel system but results on E88 seem to be mixed. The manual states that 87 is recommended, which is what I have been running, but doesn't say anything specific about E88. It only mentions to only use flex fuel in flex fuel engines. Any info would help. Thanks!

 

[SenorNoob]

E88 would be 88% ethanol. Do you mean 88 octane? I've heard mention of that as 15% ethanol.

There is a whole thread about it here somewhere...

 

[NickB05]

E88 would be 88% ethanol. Do you mean 88 octane? I've heard mention of that as 15% ethanol.

There is a whole thread about it here somewhere...

Yeah, UNL88. Sorry about that. I saw a thread on the 3.0 with 88 octane but nothing about the 2.3

 

[SenorNoob]

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2002-Ranger-version-3_om_EN-US_02_2002.pdf

That's a link to the Owner's Manual directly from Ford. It's about as clear as mud...

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

You won't have any problems with anything higher than 87 octane. The ethanol content is the possible problem. While E10 is workable, it is not as good as non-ethanol fuel. There is a noticeable lack of power. My 2008 2.3L does fine with ethanol blended fuel, but I have found the need to use 89 or higher to get the same power as E0 87. In South Carolina, it appears that non-ethanol gasoline is the same price as E10 93 octane, so I personally just go with what works. If I can get E0, I do. That does mean $75 fills, but the vehicle runs stronger on a 100% dino fuel.

 

[NickB05]

Ok, thanks!

 

[NickB05]

It does state that "Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to improve air quality" in the cleaner air part of the fuel section, would that refer to UNL88?