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Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

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  • #1

    Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

    Looking for a few saavy suggestions from other members of this forum, as to what be the optima maxima fuel for our '03-'05 T-Bird motors, having a compression ration of 10.8:1. While I am aware that the fuel door states an octane rating of "91+" Here's the rationale behind my question: Many local filling stations (in my area) offer 91 octane fuel (without ethanol added), while on the other hand others tout 93 octane with 10% ethanol additive. Ethanol weakens the fuel, which translates to less HP and lower mileage, then again, one could blend the 91 and 93 (10% ethanol) 50/50 to get 92 with 5% ethanol. Which is optimum best?

    Lindy
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  • #2
    Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

    sigpic

    “THE EDGE,
    there is no honest way to explain it
    because the only people who really know where it is
    are the ones who have gone over.”

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    • #3
      Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

      I use 93 octane with 10% ethanol.
      PK- 2002 Premium Blue/Full Accent/Whisper White Top VIN#16336
      Built April 22, 2002
      Purchased July 24, 2002

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      • #4
        Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

        Any of the above, won't matter. Only thing available here is 93 with 10% ethanol.

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        • #5
          Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

          Question, 'cause I really don't understand this stuff

          When gasoline is mixed like what is suggested; half a tank of 91 without ethanol, and half a tank of 93 with 10% ethanol Do you truly achieve 92 octane with 5% ethanol?

          It seems to me that half-n-half mix isn't going to change the chemical makeup of the two to create a 3rd. or different level of octane. Nor do I understand how the mix could lower the ethanol % to 5, the 10% ethanol that is in the 93 octane gas is still 10% of the volume of the 93 octane gas.

          Maybe I've been out in the rain here in Washington St. too much.....I just don't understand the 'How" of it all.
          Mike

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          • #6
            Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

            Think high school algebra solution problems. God I hated them.

            Now to be serious, in essence the lower octane fuel dilutes the higher octane. Like adding more water to you scotch. If you had a true 50/50 mix, you'd have 92 octane with 5%, an average of the two fuels. Nothing chemical changes.
            Last edited by 007Cruiser; Jun 5, 2012, 03:40 PM.

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            • #7
              Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

              Mike, there are some fancy laws of chemistry, that I don't remember the name of, that basically state that a mixture of liquids with similar physical properties (ie water based + water based or oil based + oil based) will equalize in a homogenous manner.

              So if you mix 10 gallons of 91 octane with 10 gallons of 93 octane you will end up with 20 gallons of 92 octane. Gas pumps with more than two grades generally accomplish this with mixing by their pumps to give out the appropriate octane.

              If one of the grades in this example contains 0% ethanol and the other 10% ethanol then the resulting mixture will contain 5% ethanol because of the same reason. If they both contain 10% ethanol then the result would still be a 10% ethanol mix.

              My answer to the original question would be to use the 91+ without the ethanol, because the engine is designed/tuned for 91 octane and there is probably little real world proof that more octane will result in significant improvements in performance or economy in these cars. While I believe there is some reasonable evidence that ethanol free gasoline gets better fuel economy than that with ethanol in it.
              21 years, 174K miles, 48 States X 2 & DC, 9 Canadian provinces, 8 European countries, 3 Caribbean Islands, 3 Hawaiian Islands, 100+ National Park locations, 150+ T-bird events, 190+ retrobird diecasts/models, 13 TOTM pics & some very special friends...THANKS TBN !

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              • #8
                Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                Originally posted by 007Cruiser View Post
                Think high school algebra solution problems. God I hated them.

                Now to be serious, in essence the lower octane fuel dilutes the higher octane. Like adding more water to you scotch. If you had a true 50/50 mix, you'd have 92 octane with 5%.
                You put water in your Scotch!

                Scotch should be served by pouring over
                crushed ice packed a snifter glass.

                When the glass frosts up on the outside
                it is the perfect temperature.
                sigpic

                “THE EDGE,
                there is no honest way to explain it
                because the only people who really know where it is
                are the ones who have gone over.”

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                  I've got better things to do with my time than to ring up multiple purchases at a gas pump every time I fill up. The negligible increase in performance (or whatever else might result (engine life? doubtful) isn't worth the effort. You would also need to calculate the everchanging price of each option at every station to determine if non-ethanol vs ethanol mileage benefits are really there. In addition if you're going to two different stations, driving to, stopping, and restarting just uses more gas and reduces life of parts (i.e., more cost). Just my opinion, may not apply to others.

                  Curious, if this was just a topic to ponder or is it really a worry?
                  Last edited by jayred1; Jun 5, 2012, 05:28 PM.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                    Originally posted by JAB02LHS View Post
                    You put water in your Scotch!

                    Scotch should be served by pouring over
                    crushed ice packed a snifter glass.

                    When the glass frosts up on the outside
                    it is the perfect temperature.
                    Water in scotch or ice in scotch... just different ways to dilute it. I drink my bourbon neat.
                    Bird is the word.....
                    Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats. H. L. Mencken US editor (1880 - 1956)

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                    • #11
                      Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                      I use 93...but my round trip commute is 15 mi. a day, and I only fill up 1x month, so the extra $ is tolerable.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                        I have had 2 2002 T-Birds and currently have an '04 PCR. I have NEVER put anything in those gas tanks except regular fuel They run just fine....never any knocks or hesitation in performance. Save some $....put in regular.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                          Originally posted by RustyFrye View Post
                          Water in scotch or ice in scotch... just different ways to dilute it. I drink my bourbon neat.
                          I'm with you, Rusty, no scotch, Maker's Mark or Jack neat.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                            Originally posted by jayred1 View Post
                            ...Curious, if this was just a topic to ponder or is it really a worry?
                            Just want to know (for best performance) what the heck the optimum fuel is for the '03 through '05 TB motor?

                            I'll take a gut guess that our cars are programmed to ignite 91+ Octane fuel (+ must mean that 92, 93 or 94 would be fine), of course anything less is going to make the engine ping because of ignition issues, anything greatly more is going to be of no avail, because of ignition programming, etc. If I could just find a 92 or 93 octane without ethanol, I'd use it. My intuition tells me that 92 or 93 octane without ethanol just may be the optimum. An educated answer would be welcome and appreciated though.

                            Lindy
                            Last edited by Lindy; Jun 6, 2012, 01:59 PM.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Optimum Fuel for '03-'05 T-Bird?

                              The computers actually stop the engine from pinging by retarding the timing. The actual optimum is what is called for in the manual. Anything with a higher octane rating is a waste of money unless you are going racing. But for daily driving, stick to the manufacturers recommendations.
                              Unbelivable TBN trips including ALL of the lower 48 States plus 9 Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.

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