I recently bought a used 2006 Ram Hemi 2500 and I just learned the owner used 87 octane until about 65,000 miles and then he got the super-chips tuner and ran it on economy mode and the truck now has 103,000 miles and runs great. My question is should I be worried about engine failure in the long run since he ran the 87 until he got the tuner?

 

well, just about everyone I know of with a major cylinder failure has stated they ran 87 octane fuel for an extended period when it died, or fessed up about it later.

I wouldn't be thrilled to know about it, but I don't think I'd go straight to panic mode over it either. Even though we hear a lot about guys having engine misfires and losing a cylinder or two that have run 87 octane gas, I'm sure there are thousands out there who have only run 87 and have never had an issue...

 

This question might be good for the OP as well.........

As mentioned before, Im one of the dumbasses thats been running REG in both my trucks. The D is @ 70,000 mile, been running MID for a few thousand now. Could there be any potential side effects from switching up the grades, after running one for so long? I doubt it, and I havent really seen any pros/cons since switching, honestly, but just thought Id throw the ? out there.....

 

I have 82,000 on my 08. Been running 93 octane ( Shell if its available) since I installed my Cortex tune at about 40,000. Ran my plugs for 48000 before I changed them the 2nd time and when I pulled them out they were spotless. Quality fuel makes a big difference, especially when your foot stays in the throttle like mine does. I would never run my truck on 87 and only use 89 when using the TOW tune on my SC (only towed once).

 

What's the issue with 87? I have ran that for several years and never had issues...

 

I just run 87... my truck runs perfectly... of course when I get my sct tuner I will run premium all the time.

 

5.9 is fine with 87 octane.

08RamMan, there are MANY, MANY people who have had complete cylinder failures, requiring costly rebuilds and in many cases complete engine replacements and the one common denominator has been that the owner ran 87 octane on a regular basis. Also, because it's stated in the owners manual that 89 is the recommended fuel, let them find 87 in there when it's in for an engine problem. The dealer will fight you tooth and nail over a warranty claim.
Does that mean your gonna have one? No, but I wouldn't put one round in a revolver, spin it, point it at my head and pull the trigger, either...

 

Ive run 87 since I bought my truck back in 04 new. I got the SC and tried the 91 tune (with 93 gas) and never noticed any difference so i went back to 87. I installed my cam and ran it on 87 for a while and went back to 93 and just yesterday went back to 87 because (again) I never noticed any difference. I changed my plugs for the first time a few thousand miles back and there was nothing wrong with them. Ive never had any issues with my truck so far and I drive the **** out it.

 

87 is fine if you drive around like grandma.

You can get away with 87 because your pcm pulls timing to compensate for the pinging that would otherwise occur. However, there is a max amount of timing that can be pulled and every time you floor it or pull a heavy load, you are damaging your piston.

Guys that "notice no difference" are only fooling themselves. You can not pull timing and maintain the same performance. Every tuner out there increases performance by adding timing. The exact opposite of how the pcm compensates for cheapskates and cheap fuel.

No one goes to the track and runs on 87. Why not? Because it hurts performance!

 

I know it is different for 5.9L but 93 is working GREAT for me!!