What grade gas do you use in you ranger?

[JoeDowntown]

I'm new this sounds stupid so I ran a search and didnt find anything. As you guys know the economy stinks right now. I just bought a new 2008 Ford Ranger Sport I have the 3.0 V6 in it and really just want to take care of it. The wife has a Honda Accord and uses good gas (Premium or Plus) claiming how much cleaner it burns and its better for the engine ect.

What do you guys use? In the Ranger does higher grade gas help?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Mac]

Just use what is recommended which should be the 87 octane. Higher compression/perfornance motors need the higher test. Don't waste your money.
Dave

 

[fastpakr]

As above, the higher octane rating only means that it is more resistant to compression ignition. Your motor will be just as happy on 87.

 

[Otto]

I've pretty much always use regular. Use premium if you're selling your truck, though. It will run way smoother and have better performance for the buyer's test drive.

 

[koda6966]

Mirabito's Regular.

It's regular gas, but it's a different color every day.

When I'm not on empty though, I usually fill up with 87 at Hess, I think it's 5%ethanol?

 

[fastpakr]

I've pretty much always use regular. Use premium if you're selling your truck, though. It will run way smoother and have better performance for the buyer's test drive.

Higher octane fuel does not create extra power. It is used with high compression engines to avoid detonation, but it won't create power on its own or make the engine run any smoother at all.

 

[Otto]

Higher octane fuel does not create extra power. It is used with high compression engines to avoid detonation, but it won't create power on its own or make the engine run any smoother at all.

Really? I could swear I get atleast 30% for efficiency and performace when I use it. It seems to burn up a lot quicker, though. Also depends on what gas stations you use. Some garbagy gasolines(Canadian) like Esso, Pioneer, ultramar have other combustable alternatives that are generally bad for the motor. I always use petro Canada.

 

[pacodiablo]

87 octane is what Ford suggests.

I use 87 octane, but I sometimes fill up with E85 which is 105 octane since my truck is Flex Fuel.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Really? I could swear I get atleast 30% for efficiency and performace when I use it. It seems to burn up a lot quicker, though. Also depends on what gas stations you use. Some garbagy gasolines(Canadian) like Esso, Pioneer, ultramar have other combustable alternatives that are generally bad for the motor. I always use petro Canada.

Higher octane fuel burns colder and slower. This is why we use higher octane fuel in performance/race engines which use higher compression or forced induction. Running a low grade fuel in a high compression monster will result in detonation. That pre-ignition will send shock waves through the engine's rotating assembly. This can cause severe damage. To supress this, we use a higher octane fuel which ignites at a higher temperature. By doing so, the spark plug has control over when the flamefront is started.

But!!! I use premium fuel around here in Southern Wisconsin. Why you ask? Because the stations around me blend upto 10% ethanol in the regular grade but they leave the premium stuff untouched. This is where I notice an increase in fuel mileage. I also have my ignition advanced to take advantage of the higher octane. Remember, I said the higher octane burns colder and SLOWER, so advancing the ignition allows the flamefront to exert force on the piston at the same time as a "retarted ignition" (haha, I made a funny) with a lower octane "faster burning" fuel.

 

[bmxryder]

ok well that looks like some good info above me... ive wondered the same thing about gas but my brother just had a new motor put in his f.150 and the mechanic at his work that did it, said that his motor would have lasted a lot longer if he had used premium instead of regular because it burns cleaner. (stock motor not high comp)

i just roll with the gas prices... if they are high i buy low grade if they are low i buy premium.

 

[jeffro184]

my ranger gets 93 but im running a 302 with 9.5:1 compression if i run lower i get spark knock.

 

[daniel3507]

87 octane 100% gas

 

[OilPatch197]

Really? I could swear I get atleast 30% for efficiency and performace when I use it. It seems to burn up a lot quicker, though. Also depends on what gas stations you use. Some garbagy gasolines(Canadian) like Esso, Pioneer, ultramar have other combustable alternatives that are generally bad for the motor. I always use petro Canada.

The additives that they put in "93" is better than "87" additives, Shell V-power for example, many reports that you DO get better milage, I would suspect it's not the octane rating, but rather the additives.

87 octane 100% gas

Actually at LEAST 80% gas here, and at MOST 10% power robbing ethanol!

 

[Gotta_gofast]

my ranger gets 93 but im running a 302 with 9.5:1 compression if i run lower i get spark knock.

You need premium with 9.5:1 compression? You must be running cast iron heads. I was able to use mid-grade with 9.7:1 cr with the GT-40 iron heads. The new motor uses 10.2:1 cr with performer rpm heads (aluminum) and I have no issues with 91-93 octane fuel. Quite amazing how much heat an aluminum head can dissipate compared to cast.


As for the premium fuel running cleaner... a bottle of injecter cleaner through the gas tank every 3,000 miles will do a better job hands down (while saving money).

 

[Otto]

I started using premium in my old jetta when gas went from about $1.40/L($5/gallon) down to about 65 cents in less than a months time last summershok It makes a lot of difference in old cars, low or high compression because it just combusts easy. I was getting around a lot quicker with higher octane in the jetta, I could hardly get it moving at a traffic lights with 87. Definatly worth the coin if the price isn't bad.