Recommended Octane Rating & Why (2024)

DCS said:

I have ordered a 2024 GT Premium, 6-Speed Manual, GT Premium High, GT Performance Pkg, Active Valve Exhaust, & Magnaride Damping. Ford recommends Regular gas (87 Octane rating). What is the general consensus on this? Regular, mid-grade, Super?

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Congratulations on ordering your new pony. Ford does not recommend regular. Regular is the minimum allowable and can be used for low demand day to day driving. But if you want the advertised horsepower and mileage specs 91/93 is needed and what Ford recommends.

So what you use it up to you. Personally my GT/CS is a garage queen so the few extra dollars for 93 is no big deal. That said many others on here use 87 with absolutely no reliability issues.

Bikeman315 said:

Congratulations on ordering your new pony. Ford does not recommend regular. Regular is the minimum allowable and can be used for low demand day to day driving. But if you want the advertised horsepower and mileage specs 91/93 is needed and what Ford recommends.

So what you use it up to you. Personally my GT/CS is a garage queen so the few extra dollars for 93 is no big deal. That said many others on here use 87 with absolutely no reliability issues.

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Thanks for the info. My WRX (turbo) requires 93 and the extra 30 cents per gallon over regular hits the wallet pretty hard. That said, I get around 22 mpg in town. The Pony will get a lot less. Fortunately, I am retired and drive less than 5,000 miles per year.

I prefer Shell and purchase the highest octane I can get. I want the maximum out of the engine and car. 87 is Ford's minimum, the floor to help prevent any long-term issues with an engine and its high compression ratios.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

While I have a brand preference, there are several vendors considered Top Tier.

Edit: one of the properties related octane is how easily it ignites at a given compression ratio. Higher compression engines need a higher octane gas, to prevent knock. And certainly, the less knock you have (premature ignition) the power power you produce. Ford's Gen 3 Coyote has a compression ratio of something in the region of 12:1. Operating below 87 will not only create less power, it will increase the risk of long-term damage.

Skye said:

I prefer Shell and purchase the highest octane I can get. I want the maximum out of the engine and car. 87 is Ford's minimum, the floor to help prevent any long-term issues with an engine and its high compression ratios.

https://www.toptiergas.com/gasoline-brands/

While I have a brand preference, there are several vendors considered Top Tier.

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I use nothing but Shell currently. Perhaps it's time I get their credit card and save a dime a gallon.

Skye said:

I prefer Shell and purchase the highest octane I can get. I want the maximum out of the engine and car.

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I'm with you. I run V-Power in both of my cars. I know there are other top tier gasolines out there, but I personally prefer Shell.

DevilDog said:

I'm with you. I run V-Power in both of my cars. I know there are other top tier gasolines out there, but I personally prefer Shell.

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Used Shell most of the time when I lived up North. Definitely a top 5 brand. But since moving to SC seven years ago I now use Costco 93. Top tier and always fresh. And it costs a lot less. That said when I am away from home I seek out Shell.

DevilDog said:

I'm with you. I run V-Power in both of my cars. I know there are other top tier gasolines out there, but I personally prefer Shell.

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OK. I looked into a Shell Fuel Rewards card. Very confusing tier levels. If I only fill-up every 2-3 weeks, I'm not sure the card is worth it.

DCS said:

I use nothing but Shell currently. Perhaps it's time I get their credit card and save a dime a gallon.

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I save 15 cents a gallon with my Shell card. Our son lives in Wisconsin and I had lunch with him this past Monday. I pay $4.59 per gallon for premium here in Illinois. I paid $3.55 a gallon in Wisconsin for premium on Monday. Saved $1.04 per gallon.

DCS said:

OK. I looked into a Shell Fuel Rewards card. Very confusing tier levels. If I only fill-up every 2-3 weeks, I'm not sure the card is worth it.

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I fill up about the same as you. Only put about 400-500 miles a month on my daily driver. I started out at 10 cents a gallon savings, but I'm at 15 cents now. Not sure why, but I'll take it.

DevilDog said:

I fill up about the same as you. Only put about 400-500 miles a month on my daily driver. I started out at 10 cents a gallon savings, but I'm at 15 cents now. Not sure why, but I'll take it.

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How do you redeem your "Cash Rewards"?

DCS said:

How do you redeem your "Cash Rewards"?

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Mine just comes up at the pump, if that's what you're referring to. Asks me if I want 15 cents off per gallon when I put my Shell card in.

DevilDog said:

Not sure why, but I'll take it.

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Because you are a cheap SOB!

Bikeman315 said:

Because you are a cheap SOB!

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. . . and old!

Bikeman315 said:

Because you are a cheap SOB!

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Maybe the pump feels sorry for a 75-year old man standing in front of it looking dazed and confused.