So, I wonder if there are any gains over stock on 87 or 89 gas... Does the Focus RS require 93 in stock form? It is awesome to know that in a pinch, you can run regular.
I'm 100% sure that there are still gains with 87 or 89 over the stock tune using the same octane gas. They are just saying you won't have the advertised performance gains they require 91 octane for. I also imagine from what the engineer said, the sluggish performance people are experiencing when they first load their tune is what you'd get with 87.
I think there's more to it; to further elaborate on what I posted earlier today after having the tune installed, it almost shuts off midway up the rpm range when on the throttle (even moreso than what it would do in snow/wet mode)... enough hesitation that I actually lunged forward in the seat the first time it happened. I'd be real pissed off if that's what it did on 87 octane. It's learning something... I've now put another 25 miles on it with a few 50-75% pulls and its already waking up. I'll drive it at least another 100 miles tomorrow while making my rounds at work and hopefully that will give me a better idea what it will feel like when it finishes dialing in.
Wow, that's interesting and surprising they would do anything that severe for the learning process. I'm not sure what that would be but it does sound like more than just the learning from 87 to 91+. One thing I'm certain of is it has absolutely nothing to do with the number of miles driven. Anyone that knows anything about ECUs, their adaptive tables and learning, knows about drive cycles. It's all about satisfying the necessary drive cycles to satisfy the ECU. A good example is the readiness test for emissions. If anyone isn't familiar with that, google Ford drive cycle instructions. That gives you an idea of the types of things the ECU wants to see. In this case, he specifically mentions the spark octane modifier. I'm sure there is more than that 1 table that needs to be satisfied. I was hoping to get a complete drive cycle to finish the learning. That way we'd know for sure when it is done. Anyone that thinks they can just go out and drive for 200 miles down the highway at cruise and have this completed will be sorely disappointed though.
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Interesting... I think they updated the website already:
Wow, that was fast! At least they've changed the HTML on their parts page. They still haven't changed the warranty itself though which is the legal document. I'm sure even if they don't change it, they wouldn't fight it. In the warranty it says,
^^ This!
Concerning using 87 as an option to save money on road trips, I would be very careful about that. If you do, take it easy with your right foot. Remember this tune takes several miles to learn the octane and adjust accordingly. If you've been using 93 and drop by your local station to fill up on 87 at the start of your road trip to see the family, and then floor it on the entrance ramp... remember the tune still thinks you've got 93 in the tank while you're hitting the throttle with 87. Something to think about.
I agree with you 1000%... good for pointing that out for someone who might not know.