Using the recommended fuel and motor oil can preserve your car's engine and improve fuel economy

With gas prices at a premium, it’s important to pay attention to what you put in your tank.

You would think with gasoline prices hovering around $3 a gallon, drivers would be looking for less expensive alternatives. But many of those who could – don't. Premium fuel continues to make up 15 to 20 percent of sales even though less than five percent of the vehicles on the road today require it.

Simply put, 10 to 15 percent of consumers may be unnecessarily pumping premium fuel into vehicles that don’t need it.

“It’s a feel good thing,” says Pete Misangyi, Fuels and Lubricants Engineering Supervisor for Ford Motor Company. “People feel that they’re getting better fuel economy or a cleaner fuel by using premium. But unless you’re having a knock issue, then premium usually has no added value.”

In fact, Ford’s 2006 Model Year Fuel Recommendation Guide notes if your vehicle is experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation problems, premium unleaded may cause the problems to become more pronounced.

“Some premiums are less volatile and don’t vaporize as well in a cold engine during start-up,” says Misangyi. “You will see some hesitation.”
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You should also be sure that you are getting what you are paying for at the pump.� Misangyi says the Environmental Protection Agency requires that all gasoline be certified with a minimum detergent level, but there are loopholes in the process.�

Oil companies submit test results on a generic gasoline to the EPA for certification. But while the pump gas is supposed to perform at least as well as what was certified, there’s no assurance that the fuel does.

Ford recommends BP fuel for all of its 2006 Ford-branded vehicles. BP is among the companies who routinely test their base gasoline, making sure that their gasoline has the same detergency performance as originally certified.

Since industry standards don’t guarantee it, “Look for brands that promote good detergency,” says Misangyi. “The ones who state it, are probably doing it right.”

You probably don't need to be spending on any aftermarket cleaning products either.� Ford’s Owner Guide notes it should not be necessary to add any aftermarket cleaning products to your fuel tank as long as you continue to use the fuel and octane rating recommended by the manufacturer.

“If customers need an additive due to engine deposits, or bring the vehicle in for service due to a performance deficiency, they should probably switch the brand of gasoline they’re using,” says Misangyi. "A clean engine provides better fuel economy".

Misangyi reminds consumers to always check the owner’s manual for proper fuel information such as octane recommendations.

Ethanol Compatible Vehicles

With ethanol fuel making national headlines, some consumers may be confused as to whether their vehicle can run on ethanol fuel or not. While many vehicles can run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol (10 percent ethanol is standard), vehicles that require gasoline cannot run on E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline).

“Unlike pure gasoline, ethanol contains a significant amount of oxygen,” says Misangyi. “The air/fuel ratio exceeds the capability of the vehicle to adjust for it.”

Aside from fuel calibration issues, cars designed to burn E85 also use different materials in the fuel system and have larger injectors to deliver more fuel.

Ford Motor Company has put 1.6 million ethanol-capable vehicles on America’s roads in the last decade going back to the 1995 through 1998 3.0-liter Taurus sedan. Ford will put 250,000 ethanol-capable vehicles in 2006, offering four new models, including America’s best selling pickup, the F-150. The full Ford line-up includes:

1999 and 2000 Ford Ranger and Taurus
2001 Ranger SuperCab and Taurus
2002 – 2003 Ranger SuperCab
2002 –� 2004 Explorer and 3.0-liter Taurus sedan and wagon,
2004 – 2005 Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac with 4.0-liter engines and 3.0-liter Taurus sedan and wagon
2006 3.0-liter Taurus sedan and wagon, 4.6-liter Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car and 5.4-liter F-150

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition web site www.e85fuel.com has a link that explains how to read your VIN number to determine if your vehicle can run on E85.

Beyond Gasoline - High Mileage Oil

Who ever thought that engine oil could increase fuel mileage? If all U.S. consumers followed their owner's manual oil recommendations, about a half a billion gallons of gasoline could be saved each year.� On top of that, starting in 2001, Ford led the industry by recommending the use of SAE 5W-20 motor oils in all light duty vehicles with the exception of 4.0-liter engines that use SAE 5W-30 oil.

Misangyi says that using 5W-20 can increase fuel economy by about one-half of a percent compared to 5W-30 and more if higher viscosity oils are used. This equates to an additional savings of 125 million gallons per year when used in all applicable Ford vehicles. Since its introduction in the 2001 model year, 5W-20 oils have saved up to 640 million gallons of gasoline in the U.S. or an equivalent 5.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“The fuel savings for an individual customer over a year could also pay for an oil change," adds Misangyi

Ford has also back-validated many vehicles made prior to 2001 to use 5W-20 motor oil. Check with your dealer or oil change supplier on whether or not you vehicle can use 5W-20.