What Type of Gasoline Should a Ford Explorer Use?

[Dave]

Ford Explorer should use 92-octane gasoline, as this is the official recommendation in the vehicle's user manual. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline grade in the user manual, Ford Explorer owners can also find this information on the fuel tank cap, where it is usually indicated. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. If the compression ratio is even higher, 98-octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the use of some new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the appropriate gasoline grade, as high-compression engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline. This is because, aside from the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline grade, the higher the octane rating and the better the anti-knock performance. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If a Ford Explorer occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switching back to the correct grade after consumption is sufficient. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower-octane gasoline, using a higher-octane grade will not cause damage. However, the increased octane rating can alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This results in reduced engine power and thermal efficiency, with the practical effect being poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher-octane gasoline, using a lower-octane grade can cause engine knocking. Because the octane rating is significantly lower, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance is created during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unevenly. If the knocking is mild, it may only increase noise without significant engine damage. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.