What grade of gas do you pump?

[modernsituations]

I've been going thought PC and haven't found a clear answer. My girlfriends brother in law is a mechanic and he pumps 93 in all his cars and she thinks that 93 is what we should pump in our prius. We've pumped 4 tanks so far and they've all be 93 grade. What is the way to go?

[hycamguy07]

Originally posted by modernsituations@Mar 17 2006, 10:35 PM
I've been going thought PC and haven't found a clear answer. My girlfriends brother in law is a mechanic and he pumps 93 in all his cars and she thinks that 93 is what we should pump in our prius. We've pumped 4 tanks so far and they've all be 93 grade. What is the way to go?

[snapback]226251[/snapback]

I rarely ever put high test ie 93 octane in my prius, We always use 87 octane

1. its cheaper.

2. the car was made to run on all octane grades of gasoline.

3. I think some ones been brainwashing, someone here .

Damm your still paying those high gas prices!!!! I wouldnt tell her and fill it up with 87 octane a cpl of times and after those cpl of fill ups ask her if she noticed any changes with the car? just dont tell her yet as she mite start fishing, like what you mean and /or start making up things that are not really affected by the gas.. LOL, (been there done that and I got the T-shirt)

87 octane is the way to go, I think its listed in the owners manual

[modernsituations]

thanks for the info prius guy, the only reasons i haven't said anything and just went with her suggestions was just because i had no ammo! =)

it is listed in the manual to go 87 octane but she insisted. her answer "you do whatever you want, but my brother in law WHO IS A MECHANIC, always pumps 93 and he says it's best" how am i going to argue with a mechanic! =)

i'm going to experiment in the next gas tank. should i do anything special when i do the grade switch? let it run lower than usual? any tips?

[hdrygas]

Originally posted by modernsituations@Mar 17 2006, 06:35 PM
I've been going thought PC and haven't found a clear answer. My girlfriends brother in law is a mechanic and he pumps 93 in all his cars and she thinks that 93 is what we should pump in our prius. We've pumped 4 tanks so far and they've all be 93 grade. What is the way to go?

[snapback]226251[/snapback]

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.

[ghostofjk]

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.

[galaxee]

okay. time to break this out again.

from the toyota hybrid system diagnosis training manual... page 3-4, top paragraph:

"OCTANE RATING
At a minimum the gasoline used should meet the specifications of ASTM D4814 in the United States. For the Prius, use only UNLEADED gasoline with an octane rating of 87.

NOTE: Do not use premium gasoline. It may cause starting problems with the Prius. There is no gas mileage benefit when using premium gas!"

[hycamguy07]

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.

[snapback]226268[/snapback]

"hdrygas has the right reply"
My father had a 62' avanti he only ran SUNCO hightest until sunoco folded here and then he used ammaco ultamate in that car.. Now he drives a 05 mountaineer he never runs anything other than 87* he says there really is no difference other than you pay more for 97*.. There are test results online regardingthe differences in ( blk & white) but the name of the game is to make the consumer pay more... I also run a Marvel Mystery Oil fuel treatment/cleaner every 6 months in mine.. some thing carried over from the father / son days .... Im now 37...

Hey wanna have some fun? get the wife and the bro in law together and ask the mechanic how to check the automatic transmission fluid, gee I cant find the dipstick.... :P
its great when they start looking for it....!

THANK YOU Galaxie!!!! the proof is in the pudding so to speak!!

[Godiva]

All I can say is...her brother in law WHO IS A MECHANIC drives a Prius?

If he doesn't....what does he know?

[V8Cobrakid]

I always use the lowest. Here in California it's 87. When i was in Colorado it was 85.

[modernsituations]

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...