What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

[tbirdman]

I know that we're supposed to pump high octane into our cars, but recently, I've been cheating and pumping mid-octane with 10% ethanol, and haven't noticed a difference in performance. Am I crazy?!

[Quickdraw]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

For the Thunderbird, because I baby it and don't put many miles on it, I get the best fuel available. But for my daily driver LS with the exact same engine I use mid-grade with no apparent adverse effects.

[AZT442]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

If you're not hearing any preignition (spark knock) you're probably fine. Conventional wisdom in the business tends to be of the opinion that higher octane gets you better mileage even if you don't recognize any performance degradation.

Octane has much to do with the flashpoint of the fuel. When spark knock happens, what is really going on is the fuel is igniting due to the heat of compression rather than due to the ignition process. (Hot spots inside the combustion chamber combined with the heat of compression can cause the fuel mixture to ignite out of sequence. )

I have in the past with high performance engines alternated premium with mid-range octanes on a take-by-tank basis. If you fill up with say, half a tank of premium, you should be just fine if you alternate.

If you hear any telltale spark knock or pinging, you need to get some premium into the birdie. Barometric pressure, humidity, and altitude also can have an impact on pinging. If you plan on driving in high altitides, I'd stick with premium.

[Bruce]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

Our daily drivers get 89 octane and our Bird gets 92/93 Octane.

[JBest]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

Daily drivers get ethanol,.. the '03 Bird gets the 92 -93 octane.

[theherd]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

Our daily drivers get 89 octane and our Bird gets 92/93 Octane.

Dittos.

[MATBird]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

93 octane in TBird and DeVille - 89 octane in Seville

[AZTB]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

I'd love to find 93 octane, but the highest I've found here in Phoenix is 91 - and that's all I use in both our cars (owner's manual on both call for 91+ octane).

[FUN X 3]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

93..anything less would be like drinking Miller Lite/Bud Light instead of Coors Light.

[Bruce]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?


and Phil what kind does 94 or get you.

[theherd]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

93..anything less would be like drinking Miller Lite/Bud Light instead of Coors Light.

Long neck bottle, right?

[FUN X 3]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

Bruce- 94= Amstel Light

theherd- Yes, you are correct, as usual.

[TFOR2]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

I do what the owner's manual suggests for any car I've ever driven.

Tom

[ajsam]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

Nothing but the best for my Bird!! BP Super 93 Octane with Sunoco Ultra 94 every 4th fill up.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: What Type of Fuel are YOU Using?

For the Thunderbird, because I baby it and don't put many miles on it, I get the best fuel available. But for my daily driver LS with the exact same engine I use mid-grade with no apparent adverse effects.

Interesting comment there Quickdraw. I think we all feel like our "Birds" are special. But when your Lincoln LS (a LUXURY car) is looked on as not quite as special as your Thunderbird it just points out once again how special the Thunderbird really is.