Does the 1985 Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD need premium gas?
Fuel grade varies by trim — see the breakdown below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 25 | $2,500 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 24 | $2,600 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 22 | $2,850 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 20 | $3,100 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 20 | $3,100 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,450 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,450 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 17 | $3,650 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | DIESEL | 27 | $2,900 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
9 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.