What grade gasoline do you use

[MaxLegroom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cairo94507 @ Apr 22 2007, 03:04 PM) [snapback]427870[/snapback]</div>

I run 103 Octane Jet-A race fuel in my Prius- I believe that accounts for the 400 HP output of the engine. I was going to supercharge it and then I stumbled on the 103 Octane trick. Man what a differrence and for only about $10 per gallon........
Come on now- I run 87 octane and always will. The car was designed for that grade of gas. Why not just flush $2 down the toilet every time you fill up with Premium grade? Same thing really.
[/b]

LOL

Actually, before I bought my Prius (last night), one of the things I was considering was a GTO that had been modded, shook like a wet dog at idle, and made way more than the stock 400hp (but what a thrill). I'll explain elsewhere how I arrived at deciding between a GTO and a Prius, though.

On the other hand, it is about time to add some gas to the car, and I wanted to check about such things as ethanol and octane before I did so. Considering the little, dangerous bit I really know about Prius engineering, I felt caution to be necessary.

[VanMelum]

This thread was/is AWESOME! Not that it matters but a quick breakdown of why certain cars need higher octane gas (real quick breakdown because you probably don't want to read much like me)

Most car engines have four strokes: one of which is combustion
Higher octane means it combusts at a higher temperature
More performance based motors run at high temperatures
Hence the reason for higher octane

THERE IS MY SYLLOGISM

If you want me to expand I will do so a little here. Four stroke motors have pistons that have four strokes. During the compression stage, which is one of the strokes, and right before the combustion stroke, the gas is compressed. The higher the octane rating, the hotter the gas has to get to explode (combust). If a motor is knocking, it means the gas is exploding during the compression stage. If the motor does not knock, you can put as low octane as you want until it starts to knock...and your mileage would stay the same. That is all octane means.

I don't feel like typing anymore. But why do I know this? I rebuilt my 1971 camaro from the ground up, including the engine. And I had to read many a book to be able to do that.

[VanMelum]

This thread was/is AWESOME! Not that it matters but a quick breakdown of why certain cars need higher octane gas (real quick breakdown because you probably don't want to read much like me)

Most car engines have four strokes: one of which is combustion
Higher octane means it combusts at a higher temperature
More performance based motors run at high temperatures
Hence the reason for higher octane

THERE IS MY SYLLOGISM

If you want me to expand I will do so a little here. Four stroke motors have pistons that have four strokes. During the compression stage, which is one of the strokes, and right before the combustion stroke, the gas is compressed. The higher the octane rating, the hotter the gas has to get to explode (combust). If a motor is knocking, it means the gas is exploding during the compression stage. If the motor does not knock, you can put as low octane as you want until it starts to knock...and your mileage would stay the same. That is all octane means.

I don't feel like typing anymore. But why do I know this? I rebuilt my 1971 camaro from the ground up, including the engine. And I had to read many a book to be able to do that.

This thread was/is AWESOME! Not that it matters but a quick breakdown of why certain cars need higher octane gas (real quick breakdown because you probably don't want to read much like me)

Most car engines have four strokes: one of which is combustion
Higher octane means it combusts at a higher temperature
More performance based motors run at high temperatures
Hence the reason for higher octane

THERE IS MY SYLLOGISM

If you want me to expand I will do so a little here. Four stroke motors have pistons that have four strokes. During the compression stage, which is one of the strokes, and right before the combustion stroke, the gas is compressed. The higher the octane rating, the hotter the gas has to get to explode (combust). If a motor is knocking, it means the gas is exploding during the compression stage. If the motor does not knock, you can put as low octane as you want until it starts to knock...and your mileage would stay the same. That is all octane means.

I don't feel like typing anymore. But why do I know this? I rebuilt my 1971 camaro from the ground up, including the engine. And I had to read many a book to be able to do that.[/b]

[alanh]

All the gasoline in my area comes from the same refineries and through the same pipeline. The only difference is the brand-specific additives package. I'm a cheapo and just get the Costco gas, regular 87 octane. I've used it in several different vehicles and have had zero problems with it.