Ford's EcoBoost engines utilize the Octane Adjust Ratio system to operate on both regular 87-octane fuel and premium fuel with 91 octane or higher. While the system allows for the use of lower-grade gasoline, premium fuel is required to achieve the peak power and torque figures advertised by the manufacturer.
Performance data for the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine shows an increase from 275 hp and 315 lb-ft on regular fuel to 300 hp and 325 lb-ft on premium. Similarly, the 2.7-liter V6 engine output rises from 315 hp and 410 lb-ft to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft when using high-octane fuel.
A 2019 test of a Ford F-150 with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 demonstrated that switching from 87-octane to 93-octane fuel increased output from 360 hp to 380 hp. The change also improved the 0-60 mph acceleration time from 5.9 seconds to 5.3 seconds and reduced the quarter-mile time from 14.5 seconds to 14.0 seconds.
The Octane Adjust Ratio system functions by detecting the fuel octane level and adjusting ignition timing accordingly. When premium fuel is detected, the system advances timing to increase power and efficiency. Conversely, it pulls timing when lower-octane fuel is used to prevent engine knocking and damage.
Other Ford engines also exhibit performance variations based on fuel grade. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 in the Mustang requires 91 or 93-octane fuel to reach its rated 480 hp and 415 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the supercharged 5.2-liter V8 in the F-150 Raptor R mandates a minimum of 91-octane fuel to produce 720 hp and 640 lb-ft.
