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By Mary Conway Jul 9 2017 - 7:05pm

2017 Ram 1500 owners debate the best fuel octane for their trucks

Ram recommends using 87 or 89 octane for the new 2017 Ram 1500. Owners talk about their real world experience.
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We all know that the automakers vary on what they recommend for fuel for your everyday driver. A 2017 Ram 1500 owner reached out to members of a popular Ram forum to find out what works best in the real world. Hayden from Idaho asks “I just brought the new truck home yesterday. I have a new 2017 RAM 5.7L Hemi on a 2017 1500 Crew Cab with 6'4" bed. When looking through the 2017 User Guide (owner's manual), specifically the Maintaining Your Vehicle > Fluids / Lubricants section, it says for this engine: "89 octane recommended, 87 octane acceptable, 0-15% ethanol". What are you all running? Do you notice a performance difference using 89 vs 87? MPG difference? Any other thoughts?”

Engines aren’t programmed for high octane

Thunder, from North Carolina, was the first to reach out. He apparently isn’t a fan of ethanol. “I found a place nearby that sells ethanol free 89 so I run that. That is more because its ethanol free than because its 89 though.” Thunder goes on to explain that the higher octane doesn’t necessarily help because the trucks aren’t programmed to make the best use of it. “Your truck can't detect fuel octane, all it can do is vary timing somewhat. It cannot advance timing enough to take advantage of any octane higher than 89. Octane is a measure of resistance to detonation so higher octane fuel actually has less energy in a given quantity. If your engine cannot advance timing far enough to take advantage of higher octane, or does not have a high enough compression ratio to need it you are wasting money on fuel that will get you worse mileage and may leave more deposits in your engine.”

Paramedic, from Pennsylvania, writes, “I always run 89 and occasionally throw a tank of 93 in there (Sunoco). I definitely get way better fuel mileage running 93 on long trips.”

Much like Thunder, Monster has a clear understanding of what the fuel can and can’t do for these engines. He obviously worked in the business. “We all know engines run much more efficient when cold dry air is ingested, humid hot air reduces efficiency and cause timing to be pulled back. Higher octane helps reduce the amount of timing pulled but I contended only laboratory equipment could really measure the difference in engine performance. I believe optimum performance is defined as the least amount of timing pull back in the worst of climates the Hemi may be operated in. The compression level of the engine in a hot wet climate likely dictates 89 octane for the best engine efficiency. 93 octane is likely too much for the Hemi and probably reduces the efficiency of the engine due to the difficulty of fuel detonation in the lower compression engine at the time of the peak power stroke. When I was at GM Powertrain, optimum performance was defined as emissions compliant, reduced warranty costs, and customer satisfaction, in this order.”

Fishing has a similar take on the question. He also tries to avoid ethanol. “I run 89. The average price difference between 87 and 89 is $6-$10 a tank. I don't believe in running higher than recommended as the engine ignition, timing and settings are meant to run on whatever octane they state. Where people probably see the benefit of 91/93 is the lack of ethanol and slightly more actual gasoline in the tank as oppose to "filler". Ethanol is a great fuel source, however, not really meant to be run in our motors. The wreak havoc on boat tanks, fuel lines and engine parts. I guess vehicles handle it a little better.”

Cair drives a 2014 Ram with a Hemi. He has experimented a little with the different octanes. “I used 87 for the first 18500 miles. Just to see what all the hype was about using 89, I tried it for the last 2 tank fulls. Honestly, couldn't tell the difference in the mileage or the way the truck ran.” Now obviously, this isn’t scientific, nor does it show what the effect is on the internal parts of the engine. It is just an honest answer to a simple question.

It sounds as if most owners use the recommended fuel with 89 octane. Everyone who used 87 octane seemed pleased and did not register any major complaints. It does sound as if using the higher 91 and 93 octane is simply wasting money because their engines can’t use it effectively.

Mary Conway covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary on Twitter at @maryconwaymedia.

Pickup Trucks
Ram
Ram 1500

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Comments

Jordaun Peel wrote on December 2, 2017 - 12:23am
I own a 2017 dodge ram 1500 5.7 hemi . I ran 87 gas in it the first 12000 miles. And tried 89. Love it..it makes the truck throttle more responsive and less drag. Smoother transitions and definitely more power
Tim Ganstrom wrote on December 20, 2018 - 2:33pm
In my 2006 Durango, with a 5.7 Hemi, (and 130k miles on it,) which is the same engine as a 1500 as far as I know. I used to just use 85 Octane all the time for a couple of years.. But then over the last few months, about once every other week, the engine would mysteriously cut out when at idle. Mostly, it would do that right after start up. But even happened after a long drive when I was coasting into my driveway. Then I noticed that when trying to accelerate from 40 to 55 mph, it would 'stutter' a bit. A very 'gentle' stutter, but still didn't feel right, as it was pretty gutless when at those low RPMs. (from 1000 to 1500 rpm.) So I decided to just try the 89 Octane just to find out if it made any difference. Wow. The stutter at low RPMs when trying to accelerate just disappeared. Much smoother power. And no issues with the engine dying after a start-up, or at any other time. It seems to make the computer happier or something. And the typical HEMI owners manual does recommend 89 Octane for 5.7 or bigger Hemi engines. Even though it does say running 85 Octane is OK. My theory is that the lower Octane was actually 'pre-igniting' under the compression at lower RPMs. Which is ironic since you'd think that you get more compression with higher RPMs. But RPMs have nothing to do with compression, and actually has to do with spark timing from the computer. It seems to me that at least 2 or maybe 4 cylinders were not firing at exactly the right time at the lower RPMs. Not enough to feel a complete 'mis-fire' I think. But enough to rob power until the RPMs got above 1500 or above 2000. Then everything smoothed out, even with the lower Octane fuel. Whatever the cause, I'm going to run 89 from now on. At least until I can get all the spark plugs replaced. (A $600 job at the local auto shop.)
John wrote on January 10, 2020 - 12:12am
Jordan Peel... because you have the 5.7 Hemi V8 which is 89 Octane was the recommended for higher power while my 2019 Ram 1500 3.6 V6 recommended was 87 which I followed from the manual. Accordingly, gas should spark from the spark plugs when you use the right octane but if you use a higher octane, it will spark from the compression which later create engine problem.
Td Motion wrote on February 23, 2018 - 12:28pm
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T Parks wrote on March 28, 2019 - 2:45pm
For my 15' Ram, it does recommend 89. Now, i'll talk a little about Ford, since I've always been a Ford guy. When the 2011 came out, which has VVT (just like my RAM) Ford said it made 412HP with 91 octane. Then in 2013 it made 420HP, no change. BUT, now the recommended was 93 Octane. Why? The majority of Americans can get 93. There are several places, like out West that only get 91. But why would Ford just limit the numbers to 91 Octane? So they decided, "Hey, if we recommend 93 octane, the VVT see's that and actually makes 420HP at the crank...let's make the change cause people buy cars for horsepower." So they did. I've also had a 2005 Mustang GT and that's when they received VVT for the first time. This was a big debate in 2005-2006, as does VVT actually see a higher octane, adjust timing, and make power. Oh, and it was recommended 87 octane. It was in one of my Mustang mags but They grabbed an 05 Mustang GT that has VVT and a 05 Mustang V6 that did not. GT made XXXrwhp on 87. Same as the V6. They drained them and added 91 octane. Guess what?? The GT gained, I believe 6 or 8rwhp and the V6 lost about that much. So the VVT AND knock sensors, said...ok I like what i'm seeing, advance timing. All the way up to what the 91 could do. The V6, since it didn't have VVT, it definitely couldn't utilize it and lost power So, are we saying that the VVT and knock sensors on my RAM, cannot do the same? You have to remember, if they said 91/93 as recommended...who would buy it? especially with no power adder. They probably said (probably now) lets say recommended 89 since it's not too much over 87, gives it a little more boost in HP and TQ...cause we like posting it has 395/410. Though 87 probably made it around 392/406. To my belief, you can run 87 or 93. it's up to how fat your wallet is. Will the VVT and knock sensors adjust for it...yes. To a point. I know on my 2014 Mustang GT, VVT would increase for the 93 but not as optimum as a custom tune. But that custom tune lets VVT and timing go wild until the knock sensor says it's too much.
Brian wrote on September 7, 2019 - 9:07pm
I use what's reccomend. I never have used 87 in this 2016 ram 1500 I got. In fact when i bought it the used car lot told me do not ever run anything lower than 91/93 I read the manuel on the ram. It states to use 89 but 87 is recommended so I have always used 89. The truck has 23k miles on it and runs fine off of 89. And I'm sure 87 would be fine. Premium gas with higher octane is for engines that require it like a supercharged or turbo charged vehicle. I had a 2014 vw Jetta that had the 1.8 turbo in it I ran 91 or 93 in it. But the Manuel also stated that i could run 89 and 87 was acceptable but i know that a turbo requires a higher octane because of the compression ratio and if you use a lower octane that could throw the computer off and you could have pre ignition problems as well as early detonation of the fuel. Use what the Manuel says to use and you will be fine. Also I only use fuels that are recommend by the top tier fuel companies.
Stgraves wrote on August 4, 2020 - 8:06pm
I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 HEMI 3.92 gears. 87 octane nets me 12-13 MPG, 89 octane nets me 15 MPG, ((91 octane nets me 19-20 MPG )), 92 & 93 octane nets me back to 12-13 MPG. I bought this truck new with 1.6 miles on it. I special ordered it to my specks. My name is on the window sticker. A ran around 1,000 Miles per each octane to get the full effects of each. The HEMI tic does not exist with 91 octane. Better throttle response as well. All other fuels will not stop the HEMI tic.
MICHAEL KACER wrote on September 3, 2021 - 3:51pm
I currently run 88. I get it at sheetz. It's the best milage/$. Low ethanol I think max 10% and cheapest gas on pump.
zak stahl wrote on March 4, 2022 - 5:52am
I`m on my second mopar in over 30 years a 2013 ram 180,000 on truck and 80,000 on motor I put flowmaster offroad series muffler sounds good when you get into it but still quiet enough it don`t disturb i installed a performance air filter by spectre supposed to same quality as K&N throttle body spacer not sure if it gave me more power but it feels like it has a lil more mid range when pulling a load installed a throttle response enhancer (don`t know the tech. name for it some are called roar pedal and throttle commander that sell for over $200 or $300 I found one same size shape different color and name for $85 it doesn`t give any more HP or Torque but it sure makes it alot more responsive not much faster but feels like it is makes it squeal 20 in tires when it won`t in normal mode I also bought an ACT BDX tuner when I tune it for 91 oct I have more power and get better mileage than with tune for 87 oct approximate 3to4 mpg more than stock I`m planning to get an electric fan I`ve been told it will reduce engine drag and give me a lil bit more performance and I want to get a bigger TBI what ive done hasn`t made my truck super fast or anything like that but I think all the things combined mainly intake and exhaust is where i gained a lil more power I`m thinking an 87 mm TBI would be plenty more air&fuel I been told with stock engine and intake a 90mm tbi might be to much I am not a mechanic but I`m not afraid to pop the hood and fix things and it has got me in a bind a few times but for the most part I have saved a lot of money fixing my own if anybody got any suggestions that gave them more performance out of the 5.7 hemi (bolt on and affordable for a poor man i can`t afford catback headers or cam yet)please share