Type of Fuel

I used to buy gas from only brand name stations, i.e. Shell, Exxon, Sunoco, etc., but now I question the whole idea that the same truck/hauler delivers gas to the no-name stations and brand name stations, but the brand name stations supposedly contain different/better/Top Tier additives. Given the emphasis today on cost cutting, profitability and business survival, I don't think the haulers and station owners are all that concerned about additives and keeping the additive and non-additive gasolines separated. The consumer (at least not me) has no way of discerning whether the gas has good, bad, Top Tier or no additives. Because of this, and I regularly use a fuel system cleaner and dryer, I now buy 87 octane gas from the cheapest station regarless of brand. Higher octane gas is formulated to prevent pre-ignition in higher compression engines, that are designed to use higher octane gas, in order to produce more horsepower without damaging the engine. Ironically, higher octane gas contains less energy than lower octane gas. Consistent use of a higher octane gas than the engine was designed to use can cause an increase in engine deposits and lower fuel efficiency.

 

89 is a scam. Most gas station have only 2 grades, regular and premium, they mix both to give 89. Guess what adjusting ratio gives additional profit, with little state oversight, or compliance testing.

For the same very reason you should avoid station selling E85 in midwest. Their 87 contains undisclosed amounts of ethanol, several times over supposed 10%. Hard to blame them E85 is 1$/gal cheaper then regular 85. Gives higher octane, and 20-30% will not cause issues in modern engines.

 

E85 isn't really popular down here. Very few stations are thusly equipped. I don't know if I've ever bought mid-grade fuel. I've owned Premium Fuel Only vehicles (one of my motorcycles still is) and so I just buy 87 or 93.

 

Beware if you ever decide to ride to Sturgis.

I got their 87 in South Dakota, engine started overheating at interstate speeds with air temp in 70s, had to pull over. Never happened before, never after, even going through Mojave, Southern AZ and Death Valey. Had GPS crap out on me from overheating, but not engine

 

87 /E15, from wherever is cheaper, and does not have a truck delivering gas to the station.

When gas is delivered to the station, it tends to stir up the muck in the tanks, some of which can make it into YOUR fuel tank.

 

I've wondered about this as well, and with my new car so far I've kept to using only Shell 87 (CA-E10) fuel. (Also because I have a payment card with then that saves a few cents a gallon for me.)

Top Tier Gas is run by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi. And they "Certify" in some way the stations that they are dispensing fuel with certain additive levels. So I look at it as Toyota's stamp of approval on the fuel I use in my car.

And since everyone advertises "their brand", I could just imagine the class-action lawsuit if a lawyer could just be taking gas samples and then proving that the additives aren't there as they claim. So I take the litigious nature of the world as reassurance that gas stations have magic voodoo juice they add to their gas.

 

Gas pumps have fuel filters, which is why this is another urban myth.

Tom

 

Sorry to bring this out of the dark ages, but the fuel recommended here is 95 RON which is about your 89 MON. 87 MON = 91 RON and my fuel flap has a sticker premium unleaded only (i.e. 95+).

Interesting as to the differences between countries.

 

This is a consequence of the clockwise versus anti-clockwise rotation differences for fuel as it's drawn from the tank to the injectors and exploded over super-heated moving pistons that are connected to a circular-rotating shaft. A clear example of this coriolis distortion is the peculiar difference in accents as air circles past the tongue, pharynx and through the vocal chords among residents of the ... other hemisphere. When the confusion peaks, anthropologists have noted that some Prius drivers actually begin driving on the wrong, as opposed to the right, side of the road. Be careful using high octane fuel down under, you could be caught in a terrible implosion.

G'day

 

Mine's a used one. 5/09 production, 9000km on the clock (now almost 10,000 now after my drive back to Sydney). I was going through the later ones and it did say 95 or higher and maybe the owner's manual is a typo.

 

European users manual for Toyota states Unleaded RON 95 (Pb95 as indicated on fuel station). Engine may have a little bit different mapping (bit more agressive) or emission certification process is based on that type of fuel.

S.

 

Thanks for that. Australia in terms of emissions follow the European regulations so the 95+ makes sense. Toyota Aust do say 95+ so the manual is a typo.

 

Following are the fuel prices here in Thailand

Fuel's octane number 95 (Gasohol 95-E10). 36.94 Thb/l
Fuel's octane number 95 (Gasohol 95-E20). 33.54 Thb/l
Fuel's octane number 95 (Gasohol 95-E85). 21.92 Thb/l
Fuel's octane number 91 (Gasohol 91-E10). 34.44 Thb/l
(1 USD approx 31 Thb)

Is it good enough to fill with Gasohol 95-E85? If not, would one recommend 95-E20 or 91-E10?

 

I use 87 but brand or top tier is a big controversy.I knew an old school mechanic that was called a motor man by everyone because he worked magic on every motor he touched. he probably tore into a few hundred auto motors not to mention anything with an ice. He told me one day he could tell right away if someone used what he called the cheap stuff and he would have more work to do if they did. Back then i used what they called top tier, the cheap stuff was not that easy to find like it is now. I started using the cheap stuff when it was all over available and found harder starting in winter,rough idle,surge and 1 or 2 less mpg in all my vehicles and everything with an ice. That did it for me but i still use the cheap stuff now and then. I still can tell a slight difference so it is up to the individual. The cheap stuff will not hurt unless you highly love your machine, i know Harley and sports car owners who only use the best lubricants (synthetics) and top tier fuel in their babies.

 

This whole debate about Top Tier gas Stations vs. Discounted, or Non-Top Tier Stations, and Octane choices...get's repeated in all automotive forums.

And everyone has a subjective personal opinion.

Here's mine. If your owners manual has a recommendation? Follow it. I don't believe higher octane than recommended results in significant improvements for most driving. So if the owners manual say's "Regular" I'd recommend "Regular".

Here is where I get a little murky. Top Tier vs. Anywhere Else...I fully disclose that it might be my imagination. It might be placebo or suggestion. I imagine my vehicle runs better when I fill at Chevron..it seems quieter and smoother. Runs pretty good on (76 stations)...I seem to notice slightly rougher engine and louder acceleration when I fill at a Shell station.

Therefore? Since the difference in cost is at best minimal...when possible? I try to find a Chevron station.

Is this the "magic" of Techron? The "evils" of Shells additives? Well my over riding philosophy and approach is when the tank is nearing empty? I fill it with gas. If I can't get to a "Top Tier" station? I'm not going to slit my wrists.

If I'm only imagining an improvement when I use Chevron gas? Then I allow myself this bit of imaginary comfort. I strive to use Chevron...I try to stick with top tier and name brand...if I'm out and stuck using some unknown or unbranded station? I go with it...

Every oil change, I usually run a treatment of Techron additative through my fuel system. Is this also a placebo? Perhaps..but I don't think it's hurting. And again the cost is really minimal when compared to what we invest into our automobiles as a whole.

 

The lower the E number the better. Don't use E85, that is only for cars built to run that fuel. You should also avoid the E20 unless you owners manual recommends it.

For the 91 or 95 decision, what does your owners manual say?

Also, when you hear Americans referring to 87 octane, be aware that we use a different rating system in North America. Our 87 octane is about the same as your 91 Octane.

 

I agree with your use of CHEVRON. While on vacation a couple years ago i found chevron pure gasoline no ethanol along I-65 in Georgia i always got 22 mpg in the suv with illinois corn gas. When we got another tank full of chevron pure gas math said 30 mpg no way . My wife double checked both tank fulls and still got 30 mpg. The next tank full and everyother one had ethanol and no chevron 22 mpg ???? The return trip more chevron in Georgia more 30 mpg and 22mpg when no chevron..

 

I have only used E89 since I bought my Prius and I get anywhere from 47-49MPG. I seem to get the best mileage from Phillips 66 or BP. I tried Shell once and my mileage dropped to 45, so I avoid that if possible.