Props to Jaimie from LMS

[2011TAURUSSEL]

After all the discussion both on and off the forum of the possibility of getting stuck in a NON 93 Octane area it finally happened. I was in Tulsa, OK and doing my final top off for the final leg back to Dallas-Fort Worth after the Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA. I was stuck with not enough to get back to DFW or for that matter even Oklahoma City which was the next even closest available 93 availability. Best I could get in the area was 91.

I made a quick to Jaimie and get some over the phone technical assistance/guidance. I advised of the problem, with getting 93 and although not recommended Jaimie advised 91 is possible and will work.

The performance restrictions were explained as in no WIDE OPEN THROTTLE, expected fuel mileage decrease and of course reduction in fuel tank range. The high ambient temperatures didn't help, but the tank worked. When I did initial highway acceleration I used the Cruise to "trim" the speed which is my normal cruising speed method. I definitely felt the performance restrictions and reduction in tank range. The trip was successful and no M.I.L. codes. I will be heading out to Costco to refill first thing in the morning to dilute the leftover 91 and run a couple of 93 Tanks back through the system.

Conversely during the trip from DFW-Carlisle I topped off just inside the MO side of the MO/AR border at a Valero 93 Station.....again one of the few in the area. I was easily squeaking out 450 miles and if I didn't have to clear the interstate for trip segment completion I believe that the range on that tank would be over at or very close to 500 miles. Final recording before interstate clearing was 26.8 MPG. Next leg wasn't as good heading into the rolling hills of East Central OH and Western, PA Even that tank was over 400 miles so not too bad for highway cruise at around 72-76 with A/C on.

Thanks again for the assist Jaimie, keep up the good work.

 

[SHOdded]

Are all 2013+ tunes 93 octane only? With 2010-12, you can reflash to a 91 tune if needed.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

With mine there are two files. 91 and 93.....If I had the tuner with me I could have switched to the 91 file and be good but dare I say......got caught unprepared.

Focus on the key phrase.....If I had the tuner with me.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

No problem at all, that is what I am here for!

I'm just glad you reached out before filling up. While this is not a perfect solution, it is a viable one if you have been backed into a corner. This is also why we advocate keeping the tuner in the car at all times. The same applies to you 3BAR guys. Keep your tuner, stock 2BAR and a Torx wrench in your car. Because, if you are put into a situation where regular is all that you have access to or worse you have access to lower or stock tuning. See, there is a method to my madness guys! Usually....

 

[SilverSH0]

That's why I always keep my tuner in the car and I also requested a "stock" tune with the only adjustment a 3bar MAP sensor. Then if I'm ever where there's only 87 octane I can use it w/out having to change sensors.

 

[TIHSHO]

What if your running a 91 tune and all you can get is 93?

 

[brucelinc]

What if your running a 91 tune and all you can get is 93?

There is nothing wrong with running 93 octane with a 91 octane tune. Many people do that in the winter when temps are cold and fuel and winter blend fuels are used. It would just provide additional protection from detonation and the engine management system would be more likely to add timing and avoid knock retard. However, if you have 93 available on a regular basis, why not run the 93 octane tune?

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

What if your running a 91 tune and all you can get is 93?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with running a lesser tune on more octane. Like Bruce said, this is something that we actually recommend doing during the winter months. There are zero longevity or safety issues with running the 93 octane performance tuning all year. So if that is your aversion to running the higher octane tune...

 

[TIHSHO]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the response. In respects to the availability of 93 octane, the small town I live in only has 91, and when I needed gas in the city, I assumed the gas station I went to had 91 as most do around here. They only had 93 and 87 lol. I didn't want to chance running out of gas as there is a shortage of gas out here so I choose the 93 octane, while I was sweating bullets hoping it would be fine. I'm glad I picked the right choice.

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

As a general rule and LMS feel free to step in if I am not understanding this correctly. The general rule is you can go AT or HIGHER than tune example putting 92 or 93 Octane in a 91 Tune but not LOWER. The situation I was in was obviously a extreme situation and again LMS came through with both customer service AND technical support.

 

[Livernois Motorsports]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the response. In respects to the availability of 93 octane, the small town I live in only has 91, and when I needed gas in the city, I assumed the gas station I went to had 91 as most do around here. They only had 93 and 87 lol. I didn't want to chance running out of gas as there is a shortage of gas out here so I choose the 93 octane, while I was sweating bullets hoping it would be fine. I'm glad I picked the right choice.

Totally makes sense! We all took your post as you had better gas available, and chose not to use it. Keep on keeping on with the 91 Performance tune

As a general rule and LMS feel free to step in if I am not understanding this correctly. The general rule is you can go AT or HIGHER than tune example putting 92 or 93 Octane in a 91 Tune but not LOWER. The situation I was in was obviously a extreme situation and again LMS came through with both customer service AND technical support.

You are 110% correct! Thank you for chiming in!