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Fuel type and tank size

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Tami Topper, Dec 7, 2012.

  1. Tami Topper

    Tami Topper ocd about mpg

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    Hello, I am wondering if anyone puts non-ethanol fuel in their cars and if it helps significantly with fuel efficiency. My dealership recommended it. it's $4.40 a gallon!! But yesterday I bought my first tank of gas since purchasing, i was almost on empty, it cost me 35 dollars to fill up. thoughts? also, since i don't feel like digging thru the manual right now, does anyone know what size the prius plug in fuel tank is? I am assuming 9 gallons? thanks!!
    Tami
     
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  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    In theory, pure gas (E0) has 3% more energy than blended gas (E10) as Ethyl Alcohol only has 70% of the energy of gasoline. In practice, you will hear anecdotes between no effect and 10% worse with E10.

    For most of us, actually having high MPG is not as interesting as spending less money, so if the cost (or distance to) pure gas exceeds 3%, you are not saving money.

    [​IMG]

    "And if you drive a typical car more than a mile out of your way for each penny you save on the per-gallon price, it doesn't matter how worthless your time is to you--the gas to get you there and back costs more than you save." - XKCD rollover text (because I always peek) xkcd: Heatmap
     
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  3. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Fuel capacity is 10.6 gals. I have not heard of non-ehtanol fuel being available here in California. Some of the engineering-type guys will weigh in on the efficiency issue, I'm sure. I would be suspicious of anything like that info coming from a car salesman. ;)
    Edit:
    Yep, while I was looking up the tank capacity to confirm what I already knew, you got your answer on the ethanol issue.:)
     
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  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Non-ethanol gas is not available where I live, at least from automotive gas stations. Some marinas carry it.

    Jimbo's post pretty much answered the OP's questions.

    Tom
     
  5. ACKPRIUS

    ACKPRIUS New Member

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    Pump Prices.jpg 4.40 a gallon for any kind sounds great to me! Lucky I can plug in at work for free, electric is 26 cents a klw here. The US dollar is worth about 35 cents out here, I want to live in America again...............
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...many of us wish we could get ethanol-free for better MPG but Toyota does not call for it in the operating manual and many cannot get it due to EPA regs. If you can get it is worth a little cost more but not too much more.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get off that island before the real drinking starts!:eek:
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    tank usually takes between 8-9 gallons to fill from empty on gauge.
     
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  9. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    We can get ethanol-free in 87-89-93, all at the same price as other stations, thats all this one station sells! They are quite busy every time I go to it! :D
     
  10. Big Dude

    Big Dude Member

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    Kwik Trip?
     
  11. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yep! Name on bldg.,also says Tabbaco Shop, in town of Hallie, between Eau Claire and Chippewa.
     
  12. friz

    friz Junior Member

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    I just did a very unscientific comparison of non-ethanol and ethanol fuel. I checked my mileage after a tank of each. Only a very slight increase in MPG using non-ethanol. Not worth the extra price by a long shot. Now, whether it's better for the engine is another matter that I would like to learn about.
     
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  13. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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  14. Stina

    Stina New Member

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    I found the fuel efficiency of E85 at least 5 mpg worse than regular gas, so I figure there is no cost savings with E85.
     
  15. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The Prius is not rated for E85, and Toyota warns you to never use more than E10.

    In theory, E85 will contain 25% less energy than Gasoline. To be economical, it needs to be 25% cheaper than Gasoline.
     
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