Regular 88 Gas

[Bmcwhorter14]

Good afternoon everyone, current lurker while I wait on my RHO to be built. I've been seeing some of the discussions about fuel type and got me thinking about if anyone had tried regular 88 gas in their RHO yet. Seems like it's been established that premium is recommended, but the truck can handle regular gas. I currently run regular 88 in my 5.7 Ram and it runs fine with it. The reason I ask is because Regular 88 in my area tends to be $1.00/ gallon cheaper than premium. Would make a lot of sense for road trips and such where you're just drinking gas on the freeway and don't need the performance from premium. Assuming the truck could handle it.

For those unaware as I know it's not available everywhere, it's 15% ethanol fuel with an octane rating of 88.

 

[NWI_Truck]

I'll refer you to this video here:

If you search the threads there was someone a few weeks ago who has been running regular for a few thousand miles and had no issues. Personally I stick to 93 as that's what the engineers who designed it recommend.

 

[Eric]

Good afternoon everyone, current lurker while I wait on my RHO to be built. I've been seeing some of the discussions about fuel type and got me thinking about if anyone had tried regular 88 gas in their RHO yet. Seems like it's been established that premium is recommended, but the truck can handle regular gas. I currently run regular 88 in my 5.7 Ram and it runs fine with it. The reason I ask is because Regular 88 in my area tends to be $1.00/ gallon cheaper than premium. Would make a lot of sense for road trips and such where you're just drinking gas on the freeway and don't need the performance from premium. Assuming the truck could handle it.

For those unaware as I know it's not available everywhere, it's 15% ethanol fuel with an octane rating of 88.

This is on page 349 of the 2025 RAM 1500 Owner's Manual. Personally, I have run 93 Top Tier fuel on all of my vehicles. To each his own but the piece of mind on a 90K vehicle is a no brainer for me.

3.0L HIGH OUTPUT ENGINE
Do not use E-85 flex fuel or ethanol blends greater than
15% in this engine.
This engine is designed to meet all emission
regulations, provide optimal fuel economy
and performance when using high-quality
unleaded premium gasoline having a posted
octane number of 91 as specified by the (R+M)/2
method. The use of 91 or higher octane premium
gasoline is required in this engine.

 

[BlackRhino]

This is on page 349 of the 2025 RAM 1500 Owner's Manual. Personally, I have run 93 Top Tier fuel on all of my vehicles. To each his own but the piece of mind on a 90K vehicle is a no brainer for me.

3.0L HIGH OUTPUT ENGINE
Do not use E-85 flex fuel or ethanol blends greater than
15% in this engine.
This engine is designed to meet all emission
regulations, provide optimal fuel economy
and performance when using high-quality
unleaded premium gasoline having a posted
octane number of 91 as specified by the (R+M)/2
method. The use of 91 or higher octane premium
gasoline is required in this engine.

I truly cannot fathom why anyone would buy this truck and want to put anything less than the REQUIRED 91 octane fuel in it. I just scratch my head every time I see this being discussed. Someone help me understand, please?

 

[toast411]

regarding the use of 88 and damage
The truck 'handling' it will be dependent upon the trucks ability to pull timing and/or keep intake temps low enough to keep pre detonation at bay.

The other impact of using lower then intended octane will be a performance loss, pulling timing will impact power. In the GMC world they are seeing a ~20% drop (91 to 87 on the 6.2 for example).

In GMC; the 6.2s 'recommend' 91 whereas the RHO requires 91.

At high temp during high load the RHO may get to a point where it may not be able to prevent pre detonation. (Towing in 100 degree temps at altitude for example). That'd be my guess as to why 91 is required vs recommended.

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

I truly cannot fathom why anyone would buy this truck and want to put anything less than the REQUIRED 91 octane fuel in it. I just scratch my head every time I see this being discussed. Someone help me understand, please?

This discussion seems to be coming up because of the unclarity as to whether or not premium is required or recommended due to power loss. In my experience with my vehicles that only recommend higher octane, I usually fill up based off usage. If I'm going to be driving it hard or towing, etc I'll put premium in. But if the only trade off to lower octane is less power then yeah I'm just going to fill up on regular for my highway commute/ road trips.

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

regarding the use of 88 and damage
The truck 'handling' it will be dependent upon the trucks ability to pull timing and/or keep intake temps low enough to keep pre detonation at bay.

The other impact of using lower then intended octane will be a performance loss, pulling timing will impact power. In the GMC world they are seeing a ~20% drop (91 to 87 on the 6.2 for example).

In GMC; the 6.2s 'recommend' 91 whereas the RHO requires 91.

At high temp during high load the RHO may get to a point where it may not be able to prevent pre detonation. (Towing in 100 degree temps at altitude for example). That'd be my guess as to why 91 is required vs recommended.

That makes sense, yeah I'm certainly not saying or recommending anyone steer away from premium for hard use. I was just wondering for commuting/ right lane cruising on road trips if regular 88 would run ok as at $1.00 cheaper a gallon, that's $30.00 a fuel trip. So figured it would be worth a discussion.

 

[MattH89]

It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required. The question you and others continue to conflate is whether or not you can get away with ignoring this requirement.

No amount of circle jerk forum talk is going to change these facts. Put whatever gas in you want and see what happens. Maybe nothing. It's still required in the eyes of the manufacturer who holds the warranty.

 

[toast411]

I was just wondering for commuting/ right lane cruising on road trips if regular 88 would run ok

Ram says no

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required. The question you and others continue to conflate is whether or not you can get away with ignoring this requirement.

No amount of circle jerk forum talk is going to change these facts. Put whatever gas in you want and see what happens. Maybe nothing. It's still required in the eyes of the manufacturer who holds the warranty.

"It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required."
That's the thing though, it's not clear when the chief engineer comes out and says it's not required.

"The high-output Hurricane performs better with premium gasoline,” Killian explains. “But if you use regular 87 octane fuel, it would only be slightly noticeable to the person really maxing out that engine.”

Source: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/hurricane-engine-interview.html

 

[MattH89]

"It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required."
That's the thing though, it's not clear when the chief engineer comes out and says it's not required.

"The high-output Hurricane performs better with premium gasoline,” Killian explains. “But if you use regular 87 octane fuel, it would only be slightly noticeable to the person really maxing out that engine.”

Source: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/hurricane-engine-interview.html

Which number did they print in the manual and in the gas filler door? Ram, the company, has left zero ambiguity in this space.

Again, all you're looking for here is the internet to validate the thing you want to hear.

 

[Eric]

"It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required."
That's the thing though, it's not clear when the chief engineer comes out and says it's not required.

"The high-output Hurricane performs better with premium gasoline,” Killian explains. “But if you use regular 87 octane fuel, it would only be slightly noticeable to the person really maxing out that engine.”

Source: https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/hurricane-engine-interview.html

It is also clear that you do not want to use 91+ based on what you have been saying. The owners manual clearly states required in black and white as well as the members who are giving you feedback here and it even says 91+ on the inside of the gas cap. But if you want to debate all of this based on a quote in an article by Kristin Shaw from 3/13/2024, long before the first RHO rolled off the line, then you do you and as @MattH89 said, see what happens.

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

It is also clear that you do not want to use 91+ based on what you have been saying. The owners manual clearly states required in black and white as well as the members who are giving you feedback here and it even says 91+ on the inside of the gas cap. But if you want to debate all of this based on a quote in an article by Kristin Shaw from 3/13/2024, long before the first RHO rolled off the line, then you do you and as @MattH89 said, see what happens.

It’s really not that deep. I was simply filling up today and thought it would be worth a discussion. My daily driver takes premium and thats all I’ve ran in it since I’ve owned it. But I’m glad to see how friendly everyone is on this forum when you try to have a discussion.

As far as the source I shared, he was referring to the HO Hurricane motor, and I’m sure development went on a lot sooner than the first RHO rolled off the line. Again it was simply a discussion point from quite literally one of the most qualified people employees by Ram to make that statement.

 

[SilverBilletUT]

I've only ever put 91 premium here in Utah... and I'm getting a whopping 13.8 mpg =)

What kind of MPG is everyone else getting?

My '24 3500 Cummins gets closer to 18 on the freeway, and I was able to get from SLC to DEN on a single 33 gallon tank of diesel. Not sure I get even get to Glenwood Springs with this RHO.

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

I've only ever put 91 premium here in Utah... and I'm getting a whopping 13.8 mpg =)

What kind of MPG is everyone else getting?

My '24 3500 Cummins gets closer to 18 on the freeway, and I was able to get from SLC to DEN on a single 33 gallon tank of diesel. Not sure I get even get to Glenwood Springs with this RHO.

Can’t speak on the RHO MPG yet, but sounds like you’re getting the same as my Rebel with 35s. So I’d be happy with 13+ given the way better performance of the RHO!

 

[RAM-Ranch-MT]

I truly cannot fathom why anyone would buy this truck and want to put anything less than the REQUIRED 91 octane fuel in it. I just scratch my head every time I see this being discussed. Someone help me understand, please?

It's pretty clear that Ram considers it required. The question you and others continue to conflate is whether or not you can get away with ignoring this requirement.

No amount of circle jerk forum talk is going to change these facts. Put whatever gas in you want and see what happens. Maybe nothing. It's still required in the eyes of the manufacturer who holds the warranty.

PREACH!!!!! Can we please pin these two posts? i am so tired of every day a new post " cAn i rUn 30 oCtAnE fUeL".

Owners manual: These are high performance motors and need 91 octane minimum
Gas cap: 91+ fuel only
Entire forum: "RUN 91 in your truck "
Truck: " i have 550 hp and you spent nearly 6 figures on me, please feed me 91 octane"
Person: "does this mean i can run less than 91?!"

SMH!

Spends $80k+ on truck, worried about price of 91 octane.


If i see another fuel octane thread I'm going to have a brain aneurysm. LOL

RUN 91 OCTANE IN YOUR TRUCK.......DID EVERYONE HEAR ME? LOL. SHOUTING FROM A MOUNTAIN TOP IN MONTANA

I hope the next person that runs less than 91 octane grenades their motor and ram finds the piss water in your tank voids the warranty for clearly not doing what the manual says.

Op: this isnt at you, just fed up with how many people can ask the same thing. all in fun. welcome to the forum

 

[eltaco]

I've only ever put 91 premium here in Utah... and I'm getting a whopping 13.8 mpg =)

What kind of MPG is everyone else getting?

My '24 3500 Cummins gets closer to 18 on the freeway, and I was able to get from SLC to DEN on a single 33 gallon tank of diesel. Not sure I get even get to Glenwood Springs with this RHO.

I seem to float between 14.7-15.1mpg for my daily driving. Haven’t taken any highway trips since my day of purchase.

 

[A4x4funlover]

@Bmcwhorter14, I am and have be running 90 octane ethanol free in my truck without issue for the last 3 months, I have seen significantly better milage out of "pure gas" here its $.05 more then 91 with ethanol.... you all can blast me for not running 91 but I am getting 525-550 miles to a tank 16.3 average daily and 17.3 road trip on the computer, if your cruising traveling extra milage might be better then saving a buck.... and from previous experience e15 88octane, I lost 2-3mpg when I was running it in my jeep over reg 87/89.

Welcome to the forum and Enjoy your Ride.

 

[Bmcwhorter14]

@Bmcwhorter14, I am and have be running 90 octane ethanol free in my truck without issue for the last 3 months, I have seen significantly better milage out of "pure gas" here its $.05 more then 91 with ethanol.... you all can blast me for not running 91 but I am getting 525-550 miles to a tank 16.3 average daily and 17.3 road trip on the computer, if your cruising traveling extra milage might be better then saving a buck.... and from previous experience e15 88octane, I lost 2-3mpg when I was running it in my jeep over reg 87/89.

Welcome to the forum and Enjoy your Ride.

Appreciate the good feedback, thanks!

 

[A4x4funlover]

@Bmcwhorter14 I will caveat that with I did run 91 or 93 for the first 1000 miles breaking in and getting a good bench mark like many here on 91-93 I was only getting 14.5ish MPG. and your welcome