Does the 1986 Ford Mustang need premium gas?
Every trim takes regular — no premium needed.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl, 4-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 23 | $2,700 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 20 | $3,100 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 20 | $3,100 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,450 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, RWD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,450 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWD | REGULAR | 18 | $3,450 |
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.
6 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.