Anyone switched to 87 octane?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Bigs

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2021
Posts
381
Reaction score
342
Location
Gatineau, QC
Ram Year
2021
Engine
5.7L HEMI
I went to 87 octane myself (from 89 or 91 depending where I gas up). Not noticing any differences except a little more sluggish and a tad higher fuel consumoption VS the higher octane fuel. I can live with that. No pings, noises, ticks etc but it's only 1 year old.

Gas prices in Canada are stupid high, today they are at $2.03 per Litre in my area and keeps going up. (some places it's above 2.10/L)
 

JPT

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Posts
1,508
Reaction score
587
Location
NY
Ram Year
2015 Big Horn
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I have had my ram since 2017 (2015 model), I have only ran 87, even towing.
 

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
My work truck is a 2012 Ram 2500 with the 5.7. The company I work for will only let us run 87 octane. (their truck, their money) The truck has 224,000 miles on it. I talked them into letting me run 89 in it for 4 tanks to prove a point in power and fuel mileage. I tried so hard to make the mileage better so they'd let me use 89 but I could only squeeze around 1 MPG better so that wasn't going to work. The sluggishness from idle to 3000 RPM was noticeably better but that wasn't important to them, just me. No way I'll be able to talk them into a tuner so I'm stuck with what I have.
 
Last edited:

HEMIMANN

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Dec 7, 2020
Posts
6,807
Reaction score
17,098
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Ram Year
2017 2500 Laramie Crew Cab
Engine
6.4L HEMI
HP vs Diablo is a discussion all on its own, but essentially HP allows you modify anything in the tune whereas Diablo only allows you as the user to change certain parameters. If you don't know what you're doing in HP you can really do damage. I only change things that I know what they do like idle speed, shift points, throttle response, etc.

Some Tuners only use Diablo like Hemifever, and some use both. I only switched to HP because my Trinity almost bricked my PCM.

Also keep in mind after 2015 the PCMs are locked and after 2018 there's a security gateway module to deal with.

Yeah, had to deal with the locked PCM on my 2017. In my state it is illegal to tamper or sell with modified PCM, which is why I did an add on tuner PCM.
I wonder if the PCM knock sensing is precise enough to keep spark advance from knock at all load conditions regardless of fuel octane. One of you could do a readout on a diagnostic tool, I don't recall who.
 

yourfloormat

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Posts
38
Reaction score
21
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ram Year
2009 TRX4
Engine
5.7
I’ve written a few of these posts today where I fear someone on the forum will set me ablaze. LOL First, I’m a CA guy so I’m well adapted to paying too much for everything, including fuel. 91 Octane is 6.69 at the nearest chevron. Gotta love Costco But even that is nearing 6 now For 87.

Do the gas rams require 91 Octane? Are they considered high compression engines? If not, then burn what you feel comfortable burning, but I’ve always burnt what the manufacturer recommends.

91 Octane can be pressurized more before combustion vs. 87, so your truck will alter its timing electronically to prevent any pre-ignition or otherwise known as engine knock. Long term, lots of arguments if this will cause any noticeable damage since your timing can auto-adjust. If you don’t have a high compression engine, I don’t think it will ever make a difference.

Others might argue that premium has better detergents etc - I’d rather just dump in my own fuel additive so I know for sure it’s in there. Who really trusts big oil anyway.
I have always ran 87 in all my Rams. Current one has 239k always on 87. I believe the manual even suggests 87 so don't know why anyone uses 89 or 91 all the time.
 

yourfloormat

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Posts
38
Reaction score
21
Location
Tucson, AZ
Ram Year
2009 TRX4
Engine
5.7
Hello!

With these great gas prices we are experiencing! Has anyone switched to 87 octane from 89. I haven’t yet. I will next fill up! I never thought I would! But this is getting ridiculous!
Take care,
Matt
Switch.... Always ran 87 and if I remember correctly my manual states 87 as recommended.
 

wgreggking

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2017
Posts
681
Reaction score
677
Location
rural Arizona
Ram Year
2017 4x4 offroad
Engine
6.4
94K on the 6.4 mostly on 89, switched to 87 last month, the price difference for 89 is way out of wack. I add lucas fuel additive, when towing on longer heavy towing. About $4.50 to $5 gallon locally / 87
 

Sandrat97

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2022
Posts
3
Reaction score
1
Location
Connecticut
Ram Year
2010
Engine
5.7
Hello!

With these great gas prices we are experiencing! Has anyone switched to 87 octane from 89. I haven’t yet. I will next fill up! I never thought I would! But this is getting ridiculous!
Take care,
Matt
Yes I did and didn’t notice any difference
 

jr27236

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2019
Posts
421
Reaction score
319
Location
New York
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I personally never shopped octane ratings. I shop prices and put in the cheapest priced fuel always and never had any issues. Towing or not same gas. Never an issue and I guess if higher octane fuel did help with Mpg I'd never see it anyway.
 

Snow Wanderer

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2022
Posts
12
Reaction score
13
Location
East Lansing, MI
Ram Year
2019
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello!

With these great gas prices we are experiencing! Has anyone switched to 87 octane from 89. I haven’t yet. I will next fill up! I never thought I would! But this is getting ridiculous!
Take care,
Matt
RAM recommended 89 octane for my 2019 Limited, especially when towing. I have only used 89 octane. If something bad happens to the engine, then they can't blame it on the gas used!
 

flinkpoyd01

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2021
Posts
20
Reaction score
24
Location
Utah
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I run 85 octane in my 2014 5.7 Longhorn and don't give a single ****. I don't notice any real difference between midgrade or premium (I've run full tanks of each as a test) in MPG, performance, etc.

SLC, UT, so 4,500 elevation minimum and up in the mountains to around 10k often.
 

roadrnnr

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Posts
328
Reaction score
154
Location
Vermont
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I’ve only ever used 87 octane in any of the three rams I’ve owned. I tried 89 and 91 in all three for a couple of consecutive tanks. I never saw any difference in either mpg or power.
Same here. Bought Mine new in 2011 and always have used 87. Runs like new and never any problems
 

Rambo71

Junior Member
Military
Joined
Nov 19, 2021
Posts
20
Reaction score
16
Location
Virginia
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
2015 with 104k, mostly use 87, used 91 for 3 months, never noticed any difference, 493 idle hours, 2701 driving, i'm not easy on anything I drive. no knocks, no issues. First set of brake pads chnaged 2 weeks ago. Maintenance is EVERYTHING!!
 

jimmyfjk

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Posts
62
Reaction score
60
Location
30045
Ram Year
2021
Engine
hemi
i have only run 87 in my 2021rebel. have no issues of knocking even when pulling a heavy trailer up hill in the ga mountains. checking the manual it states 87 or 89 is acceptable
 

Narg

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Posts
390
Reaction score
330
Location
Tulsa, OK
Ram Year
2020
Engine
5.7 eTorque
Nope, never will burn less than 89. Not worth it. Just not. We all spend an extra buck now and then for our trucks as it is. Why not at the pump too?
 

WireEd

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2021
Posts
55
Reaction score
54
Location
Syracuse, NY
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I’ve had my 21 classic w 5.7 just a year now and always use 87. I get slight hesitation from stop when cold but that’s it (goes away when warm). When I tried 89, hesitation went away. No ping and no issues when pulling a 6500 lb camper.
 

stoutbanana

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2020
Posts
5
Reaction score
2
Location
US
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I have always used 87 octane in my 19 Rebel and I have towed and not experienced any problems at all I think using the higher grade is just a waste of money
 
Top