88 Octane for 2010 Prius - What's up with that?

I'm glad they didn't hire who was in charge for odometer accuracy.

 

05-21-2009 10:02 PM
Prius Team: Gas octane rating
Several threads here on Priuschat re. what gas to use in the 2010. Please tell us the correct type to use. Thanx, Carl Straub
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I just sent this email to the Prius Team--will let you know when/if I receive a reply.
Carl

 

No response yet.
Carl

 

My guess is that it is a typo.

 

Response from Prius Team

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Re: Gas octane rating
Quote:
Originally Posted by malibucarl

Several threads here on Priuschat re. what gas to use in the 2010.
Please tell us the correct type to use.
Thanx,
Carl Straub

We've requested confirmation from Japan on this. We have the same documents that have been referenced, Owner's Manual, 88, NCF 87. Please stand by for final confirmation, we hope to hear back really soon.

Thanks,
Erica

 

Sat about 11 PDT--NO further info from Prius team as yet.
Sure would like to know the REAL answer before I make my decision.
Carl

 

Hmm...does it bother anyone that Prius team USA doesn't know the answer? The car is on the ground and being sold as we speak. Shouldn't recommended fuel grade be something that is established knowledge?

I hope it's just a typo as well, but I am disturbed that it takes confirmation from Japan to establish the truth. I'm a little worried because you'd think they would just know, and you'd think if it was still regular 87 octane unleaded the information would be immediately forthcoming.

In this day and age, with the tools of communication that exist, the answer should be pretty easy to get immediately. I hope it's not a case of Toyota dragging their feet on the information because they aren't particularly happy about the reality.

 

Wow, now the new Prius owners may have to blow some of their gas savings vs an Insight on mid grade or premium gas or risk having their warranties voided and risk thousands of dollars in out of pocket repairs.

Honda can use this in their marketing to say the Honda Insight runs safely on 87 octane, but you are required to pay for more expensive fuel if you buy a Toyota Prius which will raise your cost per mile. Some gas stations don't even carry mid grade, so you would need to jump to premium.

 

It is 87 octane according to the service manager at a local dealer. BTW, Alfon, how are you finding the driver's seat comfort?

 

The dealer may say it's 87 octane, but Toyota of America should have the answer. My guess is if the car truely is 87 octane they will have to reprint the manuals or put a sticker in the manual that says 87 octane instead of 88 octane.
If Honda does get ahold of this they and other companies like VW would use it to show they are now superior over the Prius.

 

Am taking the advise of Paradox and waiting until Tue.
HOWEVER I also think they either know or should know this fact. It is basic.
Their email to me Friday said standby, info may come momentarily.

At our present gas prices 2.60/reg and 2.70 /mid it is ONLY a 4% difference. As gas goes up it gets less.

Given the small difference it will be a stupid PR move not to have been up front with the info.

Carl

 

Just sent the Prius Team another email. Will post when I hear something.
Carl

 

All,

As Erica mentioned, we're working on confirming this information right now.

We know you're concerned about this information, as are we, which is why we need to track it down. Everything TMS USA had been led to believe (up until the Owner's Manual was sent on cars here) was that Octane 87 was required. Now we're investigating given the new info.

Embarrassing? You bet. I hate when this happens because we look like we don't know what we're doing. Unprecedented? Not at all. Missing or incorrect info has shown up before. We try to prevent it at all costs, but perfection is impossible.

So please stay tuned. We completely understand if you postpone your purchase. Our bad. We'll get the right info out as soon as we can.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

 

as others have mentioned i get gas at costco and there is no mid level option. no way would i buy the car if it requires anything above 87 and I have a deposit down.

 

That would make a difference.

 

Hey, Prius Team! As long as we have you on the line: in Gen 2 is the oil dipstick marked correctly?

 

Request Prius Team to review Thread: “Prius Team: provide process, once order has been submitted” thanks, in advance.

 

Somebody get a hold of The Blue Man Group, they put a dropper of "Something" in the gas tank, maybe they know what grade fuel the car takes. This is really ridiculous. I can understand a typo in a owners manual, but I can't understand the inability to get an answer about the fuel grade. So Toyota can post 40 videos on Youtube explaining every aspect of The 2010 Prius BUT nobody can confirm what grade fuel it runs on? Not really asking for "perfection" just would be nice to know what fuel Toyotas new Prius is recommended to run on.