Low octane causing anyone else problems?

I have been wondering about this. while states are responsible for auditing the accuracy of pumps, who watches the octane ? is it possible for the octane rating to be a bit lower than it should be? would this cause a decrease in mileage?
In my old cars I would use a tank of the mid gas once in a while.....

 

sorry, cant believe your statement. is it a coincidence that MA is one of the states with stricter air polution guidelines and PA is not??

i think not. there has been a million studies over the impact of high octane gas in a car that does not require it and there has never been any evidence shown that disputes the statement that you are wasting your money by buying it.

but that is ok. keep reporting back. any final conclusion made with the amount of data you have might be a bit premature. in time, i think your high octane MA gas will perform just as your low octane MA gas does.

for me, i can drive to Idaho and get better performing gas (actually i went to Montana but if i didnt feel like driving as far). i too averaged 56 mpg on a trip averaging about 70 mph coming home. same trip going out with WA gas ....51.5 see a corellation here??

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Oct 20 2006, 08:19 AM) [snapback]335556[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I do. I believe it's due to elevation change. I get lower mileage traveling from Olympia to Spokane than I do from Spokane to Olympia as well. My mileage goes up dramatically after reaching Snoqualmie summit heading west. By the time I get to Olympia I've more than made up the drop in mileage lost between Spokane and Snoqualmie.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Aug 14 2006, 02:33 PM) [snapback]303149[/snapback]</div>

I think you put this very well.

I've also read that actually, high octane fuel burns less well than regular.

The idea with premium (higher octane) fuels is that they permit higher compression without preignition; the octane is actually keeping the fuel from burning, not providing additional energy.

The level of oxygenation or other variations in the fuel blend is probably at the root of what you're experiencing.

 

I'm probably using lower octane than most folks in the states. Here in Denver "regular" gasoline is 85 octane. That's what I use and I've had no problems nor noticed any pronounced drop in MPG.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ Oct 20 2006, 03:45 PM) [snapback]335872[/snapback]</div>

But of course, 85 octane is the correct rating for higher altitudes. It does for you in Denver what 87 does at sea level.

Dave M.

 

Here is something to think about when deciding what brand of gas to buy. We drive hybrids and get the best mileage available, no matter what brand we buy. The incentive for me is where does the oil come from. Further more, not contributing money to terrorist and the oil tycoons (Bush) who are causing hell on earth in the Middle East is the #1 reason I bought a Prius. There is a lot of mixed info on who really sells Middle East oil, but some companies have proven not to. Do the world another favor (1st one is driving a Prius) and find out where you can buy Satan free gas in your area.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-boycott-oil.htm

 

I use premium in all my other cars, but heard it would give the prius problems? Is it okay for me to use 93?

 

I agree that if the car is going into a knock retard condition then your milage will be hurt depending on the severity of the timing reduction and the decay time for the timing to come back. Sounds like I might have to get Can-View. Might have helped me to firgure out the wierd mpg loss I suffered a few months ago.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeCodPrius @ Dec 4 2006, 10:30 PM) [snapback]357707[/snapback]</div>

Did you not read all the posts. Toyota tech manuals suggest not using 93. Anecdotal evidence about better MPG seems to be unclear or downright refuted.

 

I see that this is an old discussion. But here I am piping up anyway. java script:emoticon('',%20'smid_12') The thought that comes to mind is what octane is the gas. Here in Oregon, regular is 87 octane. In Nevada, regular is 85 octane. And as an aside, I don't buy ARCO gas at all. We have an old Subaru that requires Premimum. When I use ARCO gas the car would knock badly. Any other brand, no knock.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Oct 22 2006, 07:01 AM) [snapback]336356[/snapback]</div>

Is there a general consensus as to what is the minimum altitude in order to be considered a "higher altitude" and thus a candidate for using 85 octane?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MtBiker @ Jan 8 2007, 03:30 PM) [snapback]372745[/snapback]</div>

I don't know exactly, but when you get into Montana, it's usually 85 octane. In areas where it's only 2500 ft. elevation the gas is normally 87 octane. I'm guessing between 4,000 and 5,000 ft is where the change is made.
We need a response from those that drive at the "edge" of where they change the octane to 85.


Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Jan 8 2007, 04:54 PM) [snapback]372762[/snapback]</div>

I'm in Salt Lake City (EL 4300') and 87/88 appears to be the standard octane although 85 is always a choice at the pump as well. We bought our Prius in Rexburg, ID (EL 4865') and the salesman said they filled it up with 85 because it's the standard octane for their elevation. We've been using 85 this winter and have had no indication of knocking and our mileage is about 48 with snow tires on. We'll be listening close for pinging as the weather warms up though and will change to 87 at the first sign of detonation.