I think you are wrong. When the car is tuned they develop a safe range for the timing advance based on the stock fuel. Whatever this range is it is fixed in the map and the ECU will adjust in that range that it is allowed. So when you put premium fuel in you are stuck with the same max advance on the timing you had with regular not to mention your boost levels will be the same. So the only time the use of premium will net you more power is if the temps are high enough that the ECU would have started to pull timing if you were running regular. If Ford could claim higher power ratings they would.
Agree. ECU may pull timing and add fuel if necessary if charge air is hot, but doubt if it has sensors in the combustion to notice an increase in octane. Also.....since high octane fuels have additives to slow combustion under higher temps and pressures, high octane fuel has very slightly less energy BTU's. So if engine is tuned for 87, and runs well on 87, best fuel economy is with 87. Higher octane fuels are a waste of money and hurt fuel economy for an engine tuned for 87.
New 2012 Ecoboost SEL
in 2012 Edge & MKX
Posted
Agree. ECU may pull timing and add fuel if necessary if charge air is hot, but doubt if it has sensors in the combustion to notice an increase in octane. Also.....since high octane fuels have additives to slow combustion under higher temps and pressures, high octane fuel has very slightly less energy BTU's. So if engine is tuned for 87, and runs well on 87, best fuel economy is with 87. Higher octane fuels are a waste of money and hurt fuel economy for an engine tuned for 87.