Best Fuel! Help! Have I been doing it all wrong? Please chime in

Porkchop4464

Apr 28, 2023

Hwy Gang!

So,

Since I bought my Bronco, December of 21, I have put 11700 miles on it. I have never filled it or added with anything but 93 Sunoco gas.

I have been doing this with the idea that the higher octane and price is a better product as I have seen great reviews for the 93. Plus, the highest HP listed for the V6 by Ford's own specs are from the highest Octane fuels.

So, someone informed me today that the 93 is actually just unleaded 91 octane with 15 percent ethanol added to get the 91 up to 93?

I read an article that said Ethanol at 15 percent is the max you can run in the Bronco and that doing so, just as with the old engines, will gum it up and do it an injustice after sometime.

If all of this true? Am I not better to run strait 91 with no ethanol?

I know there must be some folks out there in BN world who are gurus on the details of all the current gases out there. Please educate me, as I think I may have been doing more harm while emptying my wallet with just the hope of feeding my 2.7 the best diet it could possibly have.

And I mean it when I say, I have never put anything in my Bronco from day one except Sunoco 93

Pork

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2023

Sort by date

Reaction Score

Apr 28, 2023

I took delivery of my Bronco last July. I now have over 23K miles on it. There is no way I could only put one brand of gasoline in it. I've just been using 87 octane whatever brand I get. Averaging 20mpg+/- in my 2.7 Squatch. What do I know about gasoline? I know MOGAS has red dye in it. I know I burn non ethanol Rec fuel in my boat, ATV's and small engines. That's about it.

"There's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a Bronco" - John Bronco

Apr 28, 2023

It’s a known fact that ethanol can attract moisture, wreak havoc on fuel pumps, hoses, gaskets and is generally NOT good for engines that are NOT specifically designed to handle it.

IIRC, the Bronco is built with components and to a standard that does not compromise with the use of (no more than) 15% ethanol.

I believe you are OK @Porkchop4464 using your fancy Sunoco 93! 😎

- 2023 Raptor / Shadow Black / MGV (DOB 8/30/23)
- 2023 Heritage Limited Edition / Robin’s Egg Blue / 4dr / (stolen from my dealer 11/15/23)

Apr 28, 2023

I just kinda feel like an asshat!

Back in the Eighties I did the same and only ran Sunoco 93 in my hotrod and Chevelle. Both my small block and the 396 in the Chevelle loved that fuel (I also use additives). It just burned better than Exxon's "Tony the Tiger" top fuel across town.

Now, sadly, I am wondering if I have been doing more harm to that twin turbo setup.

From what I read, and now I have to look at each pump I stop at, many of the 91 octanes out there have no Ethanol.

In theory, wouldn't this be a better mix?

Pork

Apr 28, 2023

Fuel to fire... pun intended...

"What octane does not have ethanol?"
Thankfully, some gas stations sell ethanol-free gas, most often with an octane rating of 90 called “REC-90.” The “REC” is short for “recreational,” referring to motorcycles, boats, jet skis, and other similar motors.Sep 14, 2022

Apr 28, 2023

Porkchop4464
Fuel to fire pun intended...

"What octane does not have ethanol?"
Thankfully, some gas stations sell ethanol-free gas, most often with an octane rating of 90 called “REC-90.” The “REC” is short for “recreational,” referring to motorcycles, boats, jet skis, and other similar motors.Sep 14, 2022

https://www.pure-gas.org/

List of stations around country running non ethy fuel

Apr 28, 2023

Look no further. With "Sunoco Optima," you can run it in summer and store it in winter... all with one fuel! Sunoco Optima is an unleaded fuel blended from highly-refined hydrocarbon blendstocks. Optima does not contain ethanol or MTBE and is oxygenate-free.

Deano Bronc, Bschurr

Apr 28, 2023

A: Ethanol-free gasoline is a good idea for storing a car. Adding some fuel stabilizer is also helpful. Using pure gasoline generally provides up to five percent better fuel economy. It is what the EPA uses to establish those fuel economy ratings and why you seldom get the stated fuel economy on the sticker.F

Apr 28, 2023

Porkchop4464
A: Ethanol-free gasoline is a good idea for storing a car. Adding some fuel stabilizer is also helpful. Using pure gasoline generally provides up to five percent better fuel economy. It is what the EPA uses to establish those fuel economy ratings and why you seldom get the stated fuel economy on the sticker.F

Again... Stressing.... "It is what the EPA uses to establish those fuel economy ratings and why you seldom get the stated fuel economy on the sticker."

Apr 28, 2023

Porkchop4464
Again... Stressing.... "It is what the EPA uses to establish those fuel economy ratings and why you seldom get the stated fuel economy on the sticker."

As well as ... "Using pure gasoline generally provides up to five percent better fuel economy."

Apr 28, 2023

#10

I vote for just using the 87 octane. It's what I use because I can't justify the other $0.70/gal for 92 or 93 octane. Especially with a commute of almost 400 miles per week and no major benefits associated with higher octane...
Top Tier gas from Costco

2021 Broncos - BaseSquatch 4dr. Rapid Red V6 Soft Top
Big Bed 4dr. AMB V6 Soft Top Tow (BIL's)
Nitto tires SUCK! You've been warned.

Deano Bronc, Porkchop4464

Apr 28, 2023

#11

Porkchop4464
https://www.pure-gas.org/

List of stations around country running non ethy fuel

That can very useful, bookmarked. Thanks!

Supreme Leader of the Wandering but NOT Lost
2022 OBX Cyber Orange Metallic with random acutriments.

Deano Bronc

Apr 28, 2023

#12

I mostly run 87 in mine - everything I've always heard was that the only benefit of higher octane fuel is that it prevents detonation more, allowing timing to be advanced (more hp)... with most fuels, the quality of the gas is no different between the different octane levels. Since I am rarely 'flooring it' in the Bronco, and not using all it's HP anyways, it seems pointless to spend $5.29/gallon for 91 octane (the highest we get here in CA). I'll stick with the cheap 87 octane for $4.39/gallon

Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
Auto Photographer in Sacramento CA:
www.instagram.com/photographybymarkbrooks

Deano Bronc, Porkchop4464

Apr 28, 2023

#13

Been running 87, no complaints. Like @Calgecko, I can't justify the price difference. Run Sunoco or Exxon mostly, seems to do better than mini market gas...

'21 AMB Basesquatch 2 Door. 2.7. 569 days from reservation to delivery

EvlNvrDys

Apr 29, 2023

#14

PSUTE
Been running 87, no complaints. Like @Calgecko, I can't justify the price difference. Run Sunoco or Exxon mostly, seems to do better than mini market gas...

Inconvenience store gas is notorious for bad quality. I run the higher grades so don't hear the engine rattle.
Gas prices here came down and with my discount mid grade is only 10 cents a gallon more than the bilge water, I get better power and mileage, it comes out cheaper to run the better fuel. Over the course of a year I save $1.32.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Apr 29, 2023

#15

Bronco V-8
Inconvenience store gas is notorious for bad quality. I run the higher grades so don't hear the engine rattle.
Gas prices here came down and with my discount mid grade is only 10 cents a gallon more than the bilge water, I get better power and mileage, it comes out cheaper to run the better fuel. Over the course of a year I save $1.32.

Chevron 87octane here… its all I ever put in any of my vehicles… currently 4.49 per gallon in western washington

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Apr 29, 2023

#16

Ugh if I had all the money in the world I would run QTs no ethanol or VP s no ethanol fuel the only non ethanol fuel around here. Or I’d run Tru fuel. LOL. I am not a fan of the ethanol after the switch to ethanol additives came out. I left some in my favorite Stihl chainsaw for a few months and when I went to use it next it wouldn’t start.. I opened the fuel tank to find the fuel filter and pick up tube had turned to a jelly like substance. Ruined my favorite saw.
That said in the Bronco I have only used 93 octane a few times. Seems to run fine on the 87.
I think if it is made for the ethanol it should be fine I have a vehicle that has 360k using only 87 ethanol additives only

BN 1100, Desert Sand Everglades. Reservation 7/30/20. ordered 1/22/21, reordered 10/15/21 dropped tow and hard top, reordered 3/9/22 changed to Everglades. production date 9/7/22 rescheduled 9/14/22 completed 9/26/22, shipped 10/7/22, arrived 10/31/22, delivered 11/03/22

Apr 29, 2023

#17

Jakob1972
Ugh if I had all the money in the world I would run QTs no ethanol or VP s no ethanol fuel the only non ethanol fuel around here. Or I’d run Tru fuel. LOL. I am not a fan of the ethanol after the switch to ethanol additives came out. I left some in my favorite Stihl chainsaw for a few months and when I went to use it next it wouldn’t start.. I opened the fuel tank to find the fuel filter and pick up tube had turned to a jelly like substance. Ruined my favorite saw.
That said in the Bronco I have only used 93 octane a few times. Seems to run fine on the 87.
I think if it is made for the ethanol it should be fine I have a vehicle that has 360k using only 87 ethanol additives only

Small engines and automotive engines are designed for different fuels…. Small engines use a number of plastic parts that ethanol added fuels can seriously gunk up. Modern automotive engines are designed for today’s fuels, including ethanol added seasonally…

My garden tools all get ethanol-free, which is 93 octane, after I lost a pressure washer to a gunked up system that wouldn’t be repaired…

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

Deano Bronc, Jakob1972

May 01, 2023

#18

I just run 87 unless towing or full of passengers. I do stay away from certain gas stations in my area. Past vehicles I've owned ran into issues after filling up in those locations.

Deano Bronc

May 01, 2023

#19

Had a 2013 f150 with the ecoboost before the bronco. Great truck, had a few items to deal with, one was a random misfire on a cylinder that came from carbon build up from not burning fuel hot enough and long enough which can be tied back to ethanol in the fuel. If you are running at highway speeds for sustained amounts of time, I wouldn't worry about it too much as others have stated, the modern engines are designed to sustain some ethanol in the fuel. If you are like me don't get out at highway speeds and sustain them long enough, the higher dollar fuel (93 or ethanol free) is best to run every few tanks and also once warmed up, redline the engine. Hope this helps.

21 Wildtrak, Rapid Red, MIC, Tow, Lux, side steps, Built 12/21 delivered 3/22

Deano Bronc, Bluestreak57

You must log in or register to post here.