Regular vs Premium

bulldog · 07-27-2006, 04:30 PM

Seems I have no luck searching here yet, not familiar with al the terminology yet. Still a Prius noob and learning.

My question is what type of gas do you guys use, regular or premium? Any difference in MPG or performance between the 2?

sl7vk · 07-27-2006, 04:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bulldog @ Jul 27 2006, 04:30 PM) [snapback]293380[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Seems I have no luck searching here yet, not familiar with al the terminology yet. Still a Prius noob and learning.

My question is what type of gas do you guys use, regular or premium? Any difference in MPG or performance between the 2?
[/b]

Lower octane actually has more energy in it. Put the lowest number you can in your Prius and you'll be a happy camper. In Utah I have the option of feeding it 85, and it works great. In California, is 89 the lowest option? If so, just take the lowest regardless.

tumbleweed · 07-27-2006, 04:49 PM

I agree, when I am in one of the high altitude states such as Utah or Colorado I use 85. When I am in Oregon or Washington I use 87. No reason to go higher than that unless you can't get anything else. BTW I think the owners manual says 87.

Rancid13 · 07-27-2006, 06:43 PM

The Prius is designed to sip lower octane fuel (85 or 87 depending on what is available where you are). Putting premium in instead doesn't do anything but drain your wallet of any extra $ that could otherwise be better spent elsewhere.

galaxee · 07-27-2006, 06:52 PM

premium fuel can cause starting problems.

tripp · 07-27-2006, 06:53 PM

I think that regularly putting high octane gasline into a car that's not designed for that kind of fuel can, over time, damage the emissions system.

bulldog · 07-27-2006, 06:54 PM

Thx, just needed to validate on the Prius. With my 4R i find that I get better mileage by using premium, effectively making up for the price difference (then getting a few HP free). Obviously this differs on every engine. Glad to hear the Prius prefers regular.

donee · 07-27-2006, 07:39 PM

Hi Bulldog,

How old is your 4R, and have you used it in allot of stop and go driving in warm weather? I ask this because its common for engines to kinda grow into needing the higher octane, as the compression ratio increases due to the carbon deposits. If the car is knocking on regular, it will get better mileage on higher octane.

bulldog · 07-27-2006, 10:27 PM

The 4R is a 2003 with 60K miles on it. I have noticed that since new, so I dont think it has anything to do with carbon buildup just the engine. Other folks report different behaviour for the same engine and vehicle.

Anyhow different engines respond differently, so regular it will be for the Prius.

Thanks for the input guys.

tyrael · 07-27-2006, 10:34 PM

Crap...I've always been more keen to using the higher octane no matter what the car. Will the 93 (here inn Florida) really damage the engine? I always had the belief that the higher octane will improve gas mileage, engine burn, etc. Doesn't the manual say 87 or higher?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2008 Package 3 Premium or Regular unleaded	SOCOM	Prius Main Forum	9	10-05-2007 08:34 PM
here's a tip: do some regular washin'	fortheanimals	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	11	07-20-2007 05:30 PM
Driving it like a regular car, MFD off	craigk	Fuel Economy	7	07-04-2007 01:26 AM
Premium Gas	kdk84	Fuel Economy	4	04-29-2007 02:34 AM
Regular Maintenance	maggieddd	Prius Main Forum	26	01-20-2006 03:51 PM

07-27-2006, 04:30 PM	#1
bulldog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 212 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Seems I have no luck searching here yet, not familiar with al the terminology yet. Still a Prius noob and learning. My question is what type of gas do you guys use, regular or premium? Any difference in MPG or performance between the 2?

07-27-2006, 04:49 PM	#3
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,005 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I agree, when I am in one of the high altitude states such as Utah or Colorado I use 85. When I am in Oregon or Washington I use 87. No reason to go higher than that unless you can't get anything else. BTW I think the owners manual says 87.

07-27-2006, 06:43 PM	#4
Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA Posts: 2,455 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	The Prius is designed to sip lower octane fuel (85 or 87 depending on what is available where you are). Putting premium in instead doesn't do anything but drain your wallet of any extra $ that could otherwise be better spent elsewhere.

07-27-2006, 06:52 PM	#5
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,019 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	premium fuel can cause starting problems.

07-27-2006, 06:53 PM	#6
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,696 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I think that regularly putting high octane gasline into a car that's not designed for that kind of fuel can, over time, damage the emissions system.

07-27-2006, 06:54 PM	#7
bulldog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 212 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thx, just needed to validate on the Prius. With my 4R i find that I get better mileage by using premium, effectively making up for the price difference (then getting a few HP free). Obviously this differs on every engine. Glad to hear the Prius prefers regular.

07-27-2006, 07:39 PM	#8
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,502 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi Bulldog, How old is your 4R, and have you used it in allot of stop and go driving in warm weather? I ask this because its common for engines to kinda grow into needing the higher octane, as the compression ratio increases due to the carbon deposits. If the car is knocking on regular, it will get better mileage on higher octane.

07-27-2006, 10:27 PM	#9
bulldog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: CA Posts: 212 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The 4R is a 2003 with 60K miles on it. I have noticed that since new, so I dont think it has anything to do with carbon buildup just the engine. Other folks report different behaviour for the same engine and vehicle. Anyhow different engines respond differently, so regular it will be for the Prius. Thanks for the input guys.

07-27-2006, 10:34 PM	#10
tyrael Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 56 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Crap...I've always been more keen to using the higher octane no matter what the car. Will the 93 (here inn Florida) really damage the engine? I always had the belief that the higher octane will improve gas mileage, engine burn, etc. Doesn't the manual say 87 or higher?