Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

[MustangSteve]

Does the 2002 take premium fuel? I got no owner's manual with the car and there are no markings on the dashboard or fuel fill area...

[04birdman]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

yes

[Underdog]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

FYI- open the fuel door. The label is by the fuel filler.

[prbre]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

part of my label wash off so not alway there btw.

[joe166]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Yes, you are supposed to use 91 octane. Since most premium is 93 octane you could mix some regular with high test but don't worry, there will be at least one post from someone telling you that there is nothing too good for their baby and they would NEVER let regular gas touch their baby.

The engine will also retard the timing if you use regular gas and while you will lose some performance there should be no damage to your engine.

Having said that, I use mostly premium with an occasional half tank of regular when I have at least a half tank left and come on one of those bandit stations that mark up their other levels of gas more than 10 cents per level.

I also was told by a service manager who shall remain nameless that while he would NEVER tell anyone that it is all right, he has never used premium in his personal car which has the same "suggestion" that our cars have. He has also never had a problem.

[Leroy]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Mustangsteve, Keep in mind also, NEVER use E-85 or any additives that contain alcohol. Leroy

[islandtime]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Love your new baby and feed her right...Premium only!

[MustangSteve]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Thanks for the quick answers. You folks are pretty quick to reply! I don't mind (grrrr....well. not totally...) having to put premium in it - just wanted to know if it was a requirement.
Tell me. Since I am thinking about buying a second bird, and it only needs to have under $40k miles on it... What years are preferred? I have been thinking maybe the 03 and up is better for mileage from what I have read here, but some like the 02 tranny better... I think my 02 has plenty of power, even with a tank of REGULAR UNLEADED in it, so the extra 28 HP is not really a concern. Anything else I should know.
We plan on DRIVING both cars daily, so keeping a low mileage car in the garage to look at is not in the picture. (I do that with my 66 fastback GT)

[Borla Babe]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Steve, check with your nearest Ford dealership and have him run your Vin #, find out what repairs might have been done by Ford in the past. Also check to see if your 02 has had a computer update done on it, the perfomance of your car will be 100% better when the update is done. Some owners have had to pay $80 plus for update, but it is well worth it.
Here is a terrific site for all sorts of information on your Thunderbird and it is owned by one our members (Dot) www.portholeauthority.com
Dot's site will help you view all the colors and equipment on the different years and might help with your decision. I would highly recommend a car that still has a warranty on it when you make your decision to buy. Good luck!

[My Raven]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Ditto on Elle's and Julie's posts ...

[Chuckster]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

Steve,

Congratulations on your recent purchase. Two Retro Birds is a great idea. It also gives you the option of easily keeping the hardtop on one car all the time.

As far as the owner's manual goes, you should be able to go to the My Ford website (www.flmowner.com), register your T-Bird and download a PDF of your owner's guide. It's under the drop down box under Info On My Vehicle. It's there for my 2004's, so I feel sure it's available for your 2002. This website also allows you to easily keep up with the maintenance on your T-Bird.

Chuck

[EllisonCal]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

I've heard a number of people say that if you use regular which is usually 87 octane the computer will deal with it. If that were true, there would be no "knocking" or "pinging" when using that low octane fuel. However I've also heard that those noises do occur when lower octane fuel is used. If you hear noises upon acceleration with the lower octane fuel, "The computer is not dealing with the problem, Stick with the correct fuel, 91 Octane or higher." What's the big deal anyway when regular is $3.69 and premium is $3.89 and on a typical 12 gallon fillup you're only talking about $2.40 more.
Cal

[joe166]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

What's the big deal anyway when regular is $3.69 and premium is $3.89 and on a typical 12 gallon fillup you're only talking about $2.40 more.
Cal


If that were so, there is no big deal. Unfortunately many stations use regular as the loss leader and the premium is much more than 20 cents more expensive.

All I can tell you is that I have NEVER heard any knocking from my engine and I have used lots of regular gas.

I keep hearing anecdotal evidence of dire results but have never known anyone who had a personal experience.

Do what you want, I doubt it will make any difference except to your pocketbook.

[ronnmcf]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

I know some of you are not going to like this but I have always used regular gas in my 2002. The car runs great and I have never heard any pinging. We have 40,000 miles on the car. Perhaps, I will be sorry at some point. I will let you know.

[joe166]

Re: Just bought it...No owner's manual..Question about fuel

I know some of you are not going to like this but I have always used regular gas in my 2002. The car runs great and I have never heard any pinging. We have 40,000 miles on the car. Perhaps, I will be sorry at some point. I will let you know.

I doubt if you will ever have any regrets. You will, undoubtedly upset some of the purists and you may be turned in to the ASPCT (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Thunderbirds). Heinous crime...worse than Michael Vick.