93 Octane?

[RobertE]

We don’t tow a lot, maybe once a month. The longest trip so far was 450 miles.

My tow vehicle is a 2023 3.5 Ecoboost. I’m learning the turbos are the weak point in an Ecoboost, but really any turbocharged engine. It does a fantastic job towing our little RV.

Looking into considerations for towing, I’ve learned a few things:

1. The importance of oil in turbos. Ignore Fords 10,000 interval and will do every 5000. Use a high quality oil and filter. Plan to use Mobil 1 for trucks and SUVS. PPE filter.

2. Oil catch can.

3. Intercooler. This is the one I’m questioning, mainly b.c it’s not a cheap item, and I can’t figure out if it’s for performance or to save the turbos.

I’ve read about running 93 octane, and I’ve done it once, but did not notice any difference in performance or gas mileage.

Opinions or experience welcome.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We don’t tow a lot, maybe once a month. The longest trip so far was 450 miles.

My tow vehicle is a 2023 3.5 Ecoboost. I’m learning the turbos are the weak point in an Ecoboost, but really any turbocharged engine. It does a fantastic job towing our little RV.

Looking into considerations for towing, I’ve learned a few things:

1. The importance of oil in turbos. Ignore Fords 10,000 interval and will do every 5000. Use a high quality oil and filter. Plan to use Mobil 1 for trucks and SUVS. PPE filter.

2. Oil catch can.

3. Intercooler. This is the one I’m questioning, mainly b.c it’s not a cheap item, and I can’t figure out if it’s for performance or to save the turbos.

I’ve read about running 93 octane, and I’ve done it once, but did not notice any difference in performance or gas mileage.

Opinions or experience welcome.

You might want to consider only using TOP TEAR gasoline. It contains additives crucial to the performance of your type of engine. A good source for Inexpensive top tear is sold by Costco for one.

 

[RobertE]

You might want to consider only using TOP TEAR gasoline. It contains additives crucial to the performance of your type of engine. A good source for Inexpensive top tear is sold by Costco for one.

Thats not practical there’s no Cosco near me and when you’re on the road …..?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Thats not practical there’s no Cosco near me and when you’re on the road …..?

I'm sorry. I guess I didn't make my self very clear. I only used Costco as a relatively inexpensive source. They aren't the only folks that sell top tear. If you do a quick google of the stations near where you need to fill. I'm sure you will find a source. Places like Loves DO NOT. How to find Top Tear? Fuel Stations - TOP TIER™.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

While there is an increase in compression with turbocharged engines, run the octane rated fuel that the manufacturer specifies unless you have modified it with a tune.
If so, your tuner will recommend the octane rating that will give you the best performance.
A higher octane fuel alone will not result in any increased performance.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We don’t tow a lot, maybe once a month. The longest trip so far was 450 miles.

My tow vehicle is a 2023 3.5 Ecoboost. I’m learning the turbos are the weak point in an Ecoboost, but really any turbocharged engine. It does a fantastic job towing our little RV.

Looking into considerations for towing, I’ve learned a few things:

1. The importance of oil in turbos. Ignore Fords 10,000 interval and will do every 5000. Use a high quality oil and filter. Plan to use Mobil 1 for trucks and SUVS. PPE filter.

2. Oil catch can.

3. Intercooler. This is the one I’m questioning, mainly b.c it’s not a cheap item, and I can’t figure out if it’s for performance or to save the turbos.

I’ve read about running 93 octane, and I’ve done it once, but did not notice any difference in performance or gas mileage.

Opinions or experience welcome.

Turbos like a cool down after a pull. That's the number one cause of seizure. Don't run it hard then pull into a rest area and flip the switch.

 

[fishslayer]

I dont think I would ever put 87 octane in a turbo engine.especialy when towing. .My Buick is turbo and requires 91 octane minimum.. i run only 93. towing puts more load. And thus more heat. Heat leads to detonation that leads to failures And thats good advice about letting it idle for 2 minutes to cool down. Oil will bake in the turbo

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I dont think I would ever put 87 octane in a turbo engine.especialy when towing. .My Buick is turbo and requires 91 octane minimum.. i run only 93. towing puts more load. And thus more heat. Heat leads to detonation that leads to failures And thats good advice about letting it idle for 2 minutes to cool down. Oil will bake in the turbo

The advantage of modern computer controlled engines is detonation is controlled with feedback from knock sensors. Won't likely hurt the engine, but performance will suffer considerably. When towing you will feel the difference in this metric.

 

[Crazydog]

Modern computer controlled engines do not suffer "detonation" because the computer will not allow it to happen.
Heat created by towing will be the same whether using 87 or 93 octane gas.
The turbo does not care what octane fuel you use. It only uses exhaust gasses to spin the turbo vanes.
An intercooler is used on turbo engines to cool the air before it enters the intake system. It needs to be cooled because compressing air causes it to heat up.
A turbo intercooler system is a forced-induction setup that boosts engine performance by cooling compressed air before it enters the combustion chamber. By lowering intake temperatures (often by 40°C–60°C+), it increases air density and oxygen content, allowing for more fuel burn, increased horsepower,

 

[fishslayer]

Turbo doesnt care but the pistons sure do..engine detonates. Sensor tells ECU to back off ignition timing. Power is reduced, more throttle is required to pull the load, more heat..you think they get 700 plus horsepower in engines with 87 octane?