87 Octane vs Premium in Turbocharged Half-Ton Trucks — Does It ACTUALLY Matter?

I discuss if Half-ton trucks with turbocharged engines like the 3.5L Ecoboost need to use premium fuel for best performance and engine life or if Regular 87 octane is safe! **Get 25% Off all AMSOIL Products**, Sign up as one of my preferred customers here! 👉https://www.amsoil.com/offers/pc/?zo=31309211 Your first order pays for the membership! *GET 10% OFF Weigh Safe Hitches* 👉https://crrnt.app/WEIG/3475nWnl Or use Code "Gettys10" at checkout! Connect with me on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegettygarage/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegettyadventures What I Use: 6.4L HEMI AMSOIL Engine Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/ram/2500-pickup/6-4l-8-cyl-engine-code-j-esb-j/?zo=31309211 WIX Engine Oil Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-oil-filter-wixoil/?code=57060-EA&_gl=1*1nha42k*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTgxMTYzNzYwNi4xNzQ3MzM4Nzgz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzg3ODIkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDczMzg4MDUkajAkbDAkaDEwMjA1MDcyMDc.?zo=31309211 WIX Engine Air Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-air-filter-wixair/?code=46930-EA&_gl=1*h9vgr7*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNTkzNzEyLjE3NDczMzgyMDA.*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzgxOTkkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzgxOTkkajAkbDAkaDY0ODQzNDY3OA..?zo=31309211 Cabin Air Filter - https://amzn.to/3JMZAHh Gear Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-90-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svg/?_gl=1*it5o9x*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDgxNjkwMDUxLjE3NDc0MDExNzQ.*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDExNzMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDc0MDExODQkajAkbDAkaDE1NTc0MzUzOTE.?zo=31309211 Grease - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-multi-purpose-grease-glc/?code=glccr-ea&_gl=1*hp8cr9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNjEzODc5Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNDg3*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE0ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE0ODYkajAkbDAkaDU5NTEyMTc4NA..https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 Rust protection - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 What I Use: 7.3L POWERSTROKE Engine Oil - https://amzn.to/3ZLIWBD Engine Oil Filter - https://amzn.to/4gHTwRb Fuel Filter - https://www.amsoil.com/p/wix-fuel-filters-wixfuel/?code=33817-EA&_gl=1*hx3uv5*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQxMzc5MjkxMS4xNzQ3NDAxOTA0*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE5MDMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE5MDMkajAkbDAkaDMyMzA0OTY2OQ..?zo=31309211 Gear Oil - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-severe-gear-75w-85-100-synthetic-gear-lube-svl/?code=SVLPK-EA&_gl=1*hka7u4*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTY5MjU2MjE4Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNzM2*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE3MzUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE3MzUkajAkbDAkaDI5MTA4ODEwNQ..?zo=31309211 Grease - https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-multi-purpose-grease-glc/?code=glccr-ea&_gl=1*hp8cr9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAzNjEzODc5Ny4xNzQ3NDAxNDg3*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDc0MDE0ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDc0MDE0ODYkajAkbDAkaDU5NTEyMTc4NA..https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-heavy-duty-metal-protector-amhsc/?code=amhsc-ea&_gl=1*10x1frk*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkzMjMyOTA3OC4xNzQ3MzM5MTQz*_ga_E8P3KK8JV8*czE3NDczMzkxNDIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDczMzkxNDIkajAkbDAkaDE4OTQwMDEyNDg.?zo=31309211 Towing Gear: 10 ton Pintle hitch (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3r7Axvm 7 Ton Adjustable hitch (2" receiver) - https://amzn.to/46i2iAf Adjustable Pintle hitch mount (2.5" receiver) - https://amzn.to/3RqHGS3 15 Ton Pintle hitch - https://amzn.to/45SaCqv 10,000lbs Tie Down Straps - https://amzn.to/3ZBnxeh Turbocharged gas engines now dominate the half-ton truck segment, but one of the most common questions I get is whether running premium fuel actually makes a difference — or if regular 87 octane is good enough. In this video, I break down 87 octane vs premium fuel in modern turbocharged half-ton trucks and explain what’s really happening inside the engine. While most manufacturers allow regular fuel, many of these turbo engines are rated and tested on premium, meaning power, timing, and boost strategies are often optimized for higher octane fuel. I explain how octane affects ignition timing, knock resistance, and overall performance — and why running 87 octane can result in reduced power, especially under higher load or aggressive driving. This isn’t about saying premium fuel is mandatory, but rather understanding what you gain and what you give up depending on the fuel you choose. I also touch briefly on naturally aspirated engines to highlight why turbocharged engines are more sensitive to octane differences. If you drive a turbocharged half-ton truck and want to understand how fuel choice impacts performance, drivability, and efficiency, this video will help you make an informed decision based on facts — not marketing or myths. 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Benefit of 91+ Octane Fuel 03:13 - Premium Fuel = More Power? 04:45 - Harmful to Run Regular 87 Fuel? 07:37 - Towing 11:14 - N/A V8 Engines