What grade of gas do you pump?

[tripp]

Originally posted by modernsituations@Mar 17 2006, 10:14 PM
yeah well i never really much agreed with her...it was all a matter of asking you guys...

hard facts are hard facts....hard headed machanics are another... 

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My understanding is that using an "over" rated octane fuel is bad for the emissions system. I know I read that somewhere. Can someone confirm or deny?

[Bill Lumbergh]

Originally posted by hdrygas@Mar 17 2006, 11:08 PM
Gee the people who designed this car recommend 87.  How many Atkins Cycle ICE engines has your girlfriends brother worked on? Putting a higher octane gas in a car than it needs is a myth.  93 has less energy per gallon than lower octane gas.  The octane rating is a measure of how easily the gas self ignites with compression.  High compression cars need high octane gas to prevent premature ignition and knocking.  Take out your favorite 409 high compression pony car with unleaded low test and listen to the noise.  Your Prius is not a 409 high compression engine it is not even a 287.  You do not need High test, you need regular.  The Prius likes it and it is cheaper.  Save your money and don't listen to your girlfriends brother.  Just nod knowingly smile and ignore him.  He is a dinosaur and is extinct he just does not realize it yet.  If he can adapt he will learn new technology.  Electrical engineering, fuel cells, alternative fuels.

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The Prius has a higher compression ratio than both of those engines! It's 13.0:1! That's damn high for any engine. The Prius, however, has a great cylinder head design and ECU programming which is designed for use with the cheapest grade of fuel. Only 87 for me!

[rposton]

Ok, here is another argument. Do you only buy your gas from big name stations like Exxon or Mobile?

Personally, while steering away from the Ethanol at the Delta stations, and Walmart, I buy the cheapest gas that I can find. My wife hates Walmart, lets not go there with this thread, I often buy from Kroger which is a local grocery store chain.

-Roy

[modernsituations]

yeah...assuming that people guy from well known gas shops. i get sunoco, BP, mobile...

but there are people that would argue that gas is gas anywhere.

i agree...let's not go there with this thread =)

[NuShrike]

Our FAQ on this. Any higher octane isn't useful.

[AuntBee]

87 octane always because I'm a tightwad. I get my gas at Kroger too. I seem to get better mileage from their gas than the gas at regular gas stations. Does anybody know who their supplier is?

[cmwade77]

The night I bought the Prius I put the premimum in, not knowning what should be put in, then after coming here and asking this question I was told that regular is what I should use and I have since and have gotten better gas milleage from it than the premium. This is just my observation. I usually find I get the best milleage in order from best to worst (for most cars that I hacve owned):
76
Shell/Texaco (Very close to 76)
Chevron (very close)
Mobil/Exxon (again very close)
7-Eleven/Citgo
Walmart
Beacon


Wort gas Milleage:
AM/PM
Vons

Note I last filled up at Shell, as the dealer owed me some Gas and that's where the voucher was for, I am at 300 miles and still have one bar under 1/2 a tank vs. 180 mi. with the same reading from AM/PM.

So, yes the brand of gaas does matter, also I have found that the brands vary by what area you are in as far as thier quality as well.

[coolfire74]

Always 87 octane from Shell, because 87 is the cheapest, and a shell gas station locates very close to my home. But I may consider the V-power from shell every 6 month, some people believe that V-power can help cleaning your engine. Is it true? I do not know, but worth trying every couple of months, I guess.

[windstrings]

Originally posted by ghostofjk@Mar 17 2006, 08:19 PM
Anyone who says it's better to put premium gas into all vehicles rather than regular is NOT an auto mechanic.  He may change tires or wash cars or something, but he is not a mechanic.

And this is NOT a case where "one man's as good as another's", as those who believe in selected "old wive's tales" are often prone to claim.

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Yep.. higher octane is actually a little "less" explosive... you may even get "worse" gas mileage!

[Tideland Prius]

Originally posted by Boxster...WRX...Prius?@Mar 17 2006, 09:41 PM
The Prius has a higher compression ratio than both of those engines!  It's 13.0:1!  That's damn high for any engine.  The Prius, however, has a great cylinder head design and ECU programming which is designed for use with the cheapest grade of fuel.  Only 87 for me!

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Yeah, that's ridiculously high... for an Otto cycle heh