Just filled up with new Mobil "Synergy" gasoline

If they really want to do something to improve mileage how about leaving the ethanol out instead?

 

Demulsifier - that's sooooo important!

 

EPA explores mandating higher octane gasoline

 

I am thinking EPA measures CAFE MPG without ethanol. If so, the target 52.5 CAFE MPG rating is without ethanol. So adding ethanol only reduces "real world" MPG for us, the drivers. The vehicle itself gets credit for what it can do on E0 non-RFG high energy content fuel. YMMV. Basically legislative gobbledygook, if EPA really wants better MPG, loosen ethanol mandates and focus on real world MPG. As Prius drivers, we want to see 50+ MPG on our gauge and not be shot down a -5 MPG notch because we are not allowed to use the best energy fuels. Ethanol was mandated way before high MPG hybrid cars came to the market, so it was less visible MPG hit then. So I agree we may need to re-think EPA's fuel recipes. I have also felt the 1990 recipes may be out-dated for newer vehicles.

 

Time will tell...gotta give me state of residence before I can make any comment because I do not know if you are using CA CARB gaso or Oregon non-CARB etc. I am expecting more possible variation in non-RFG areas.

 

Sounds like they hired someone new for marketing.

 

I normally use Costco gas in our 2010 Prius and last fill up calculated was 58 mpg, 62 mpg indicated. I have used no name cheap rate gas,
and name brands as well. I never noticed any discernible difference in mpg. The only time I noticed a definite difference is with regular gas with no ethanol which gave me at least 3-5 mpg more than ethanol blended gas. Now with our 2016 Volt I have been using 87 octane 10% ethanol blended gasoline.

In fact with our Volt I filled up with cut rate gas, no name, regular and obtained 50.8 mpg just on gas in a trip down the Oregon Coast via Hwy 101, the highest mpg just on gas noticed in our Volt yet. Oregon is one of those states with Ethanol blended gas mandated, however you can buy Premium grade no ethanol gas for about 75 cents or more per gallon which is what most of the boaters use for their engine here on the Oregon Coast.

 

I think legislation dictates they have to add ethanol?

Speaking of legislation: in my area (Coquitlam, BC, Canada) self-serve stations are not allowed. Presently I believe we're the only place in the lower mainland with this policy. Apparently there's a move afoot to discontinue the policy, which reportedly has been in effect since 1959, which I'd speculate was around the time self-serve was first introduced?

There were some local politicians quoted saying they're not sure how or why the no self-serve continues. But yeah, would be nice: we've gassed up here maybe twice in the 25+ years we've been here.

 

I'm pretty sure my subconscious imprinted on the picture.
So I'm expecting nightmares starring "Mr. Dirt".

I'll be expecting him to pop up every time I hit the Prius hood release.

 

CC I don't believe you have given me your state of mind (I mean residence). If it is other than CA, then there is a possibility that different stations could have different recipes and more variation in MPG. That being the case, you have found a good one, and that's what I'd also be looking for, except I live in an EPA standard recipe zone (RFG).

...hmm...Ok secret additive formula then...it's proven

 

I drove our two Eco down to 19 miles to go, got orange gas tank light but no warning, am wandering if Eco has this feature of getting the warning pop up screen? anybody?

 

I believe there is data for some formulations, but it is difficult and expensive to come by as it involves running the ICE (BMW?) for a simulated 100,000 miles on a dyno and then completely tearing down the engine and physically measuring the resulting deposits on piston, combustion chamber, valves, etc. At the time I read that test, the Shell premium grade gasoline was tested and did in fact show less carbon deposits than an engine run on fuel without the additive package, IIRC.

Maybe I'm too OCD for that approach, but also I have experienced build up of carbon in the combustion chamber on some of my 100,000+ mile vehicles that was severe enough that I was forced to switch first to mid-grade fuel and then to premium to avoid pre-ignition, and I deeply resented the extra cost of each gallon. I did de-carbonize motorcycle engines, but all the cars died from other causes before I had to disassemble their ICEs.
In piston-powered aircraft, carbon build up can truly be a safety issue as pre-ignition slams the valves into their seats, which can cause damage and possible long-term engine failure, but true detonation can blow a hole through the top of the piston after just a few seconds, and that brings you down immediately, which can be very unpleasant.
So personally I do buy top tier gas, and would like to have the 100,000 mile tear down information on the effectiveness of each gasoline's additive package to help choose if it were available .

 

IC, will check that setting out and see if low fuel on/off is in there. My wife was driving last time orange light came on, she said it came on in the 35-40 miles to go range, I wasn't driving so can't confirm that.

 

I never want to see that warning, or doubly so for my wife, driving alone. It's a game with no upside, lol.