Ethanol fuel appropriate for Prius?

[BetRae27]

Living in Nebraska, ethanol (10%) fuel grade is previlent and priced 10 cents lower than the unleaded price. We have a pre-owned 05 and the dealer told us not to use ethanol, only unleaded. What do you all think?

[a priori]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BetRae @ Oct 15 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]526096[/snapback]</div>

Living in Nebraska, ethanol (10%) fuel grade is previlent and priced 10 cents lower than the unleaded price. We have a pre-owned 05 and the dealer told us not to use ethanol, only unleaded. What do you all think?
[/b]

You should have no problem using E10 gasoline. The manual (page 321, for my '07) reads:

"Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasolne where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Toyota, be sure that it has an octane rating no lower than 87."

Hope this helps. Enjoy your Prius!

[patsparks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BetRae @ Oct 16 2007, 10:23 AM) [snapback]526096[/snapback]</div>

Living in Nebraska, ethanol (10%) fuel grade is previlent and priced 10 cents lower than the unleaded price. We have a pre-owned 05 and the dealer told us not to use ethanol, only unleaded. What do you all think?
[/b]

I use E10 in mine, I found this on an Australian site
Toyota All Toyota models manufactured locally or imported by Toyota Australia since 1987 will operate satisfactorily on E10 fuel except as listed below. The following models will not operate satisfactorily on E10 fuel due to material compatibility issues: Camry with carburettor engines pre July 1989 and Corolla pre July 1994. Supra - pre May 1993, Cressida - pre Feb 1993, Paseo - pre Aug 1995, Starlet - pre July 1999. Land Cruiser - pre Aug 1992, Coaster - pre Jan 1993, Dyna - pre May 1995, Tarago - pre Oct 1996, Hilux , Hiace, & 4 Runner - pre Aug 1997, Townace - pre Dec 1998.
from http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/stories/s1466787.htm

And this on Toyota Australia's site
Maintenance - Service - Toyota Australia
... E10) For vehicles manufactured or imported by Toyota Australia: TOYOTA (Passenger Models)Locally produced Toyota models will operate satisfactorily on petrol fuel blended with 10% ethanol (E10) from ... will operate on petrol fuel blended with 10% ethanol (E10), except older models: " Supra " Cressida " Paseo " Starlet (Note: E10 not recommended due to incompatiibility of material)Enthanol blend ... vehicles imported by Toyota Australia will operated on petrol fuel blended with 10% ethanol (E10), except models fitted with a carburettor as listed: " Coaster Bus: pre Jan 1993 (carburettor engine ... pre Dec 1998 (carburettor engine) " LandCruiser: pre Aug 1992 (carburettor & EFI engine) (Note: E10 not recommended due to incompatibility of material) Enthanol blend greater than 10 % is not approved ...
http://yaris.toyota.com.au/Accessories/acc...88_1314,00.html

[richard schumacher]

I wonder what else the dealer was wrong about.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BetRae @ Oct 15 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]526096[/snapback]</div>

What do you all think?
[/b]

I have already used 310 gallons of ethanol in my two Prius. What's there to be concerned about?

In other words, E10 is the only fuel available in Minnesota and it's been that way for a very looooong time.

[a priori]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Oct 15 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]526119[/snapback]</div>

I've used 310 gallons of ethanol in my two Prius. What's there to be concerned about?

In other words, E10 is the only fuel available in Minnesota and it's been that way for a very looooong time.
[/b]

E10 is all we have available in Illinois, as well (at least in Northern Illinois). Is it possible there are stations selling E10 with octane ratings below 87?

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BetRae @ Oct 15 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]526096[/snapback]</div>

Living in Nebraska, ethanol (10%) fuel grade is previlent and priced 10 cents lower than the unleaded price. We have a pre-owned 05 and the dealer told us not to use ethanol, only unleaded. What do you all think?
[/b]

Check the owners manual for the 2005. If it says unleaded only, use that. If it says 10% ethanol OK, then you're OK. You can't go by what the manuals for the 2006, 2007 or 2008 say.

[daniel]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Oct 15 2007, 06:25 PM) [snapback]526109[/snapback]</div>

I wonder what else the dealer was wrong about.
[/b]

Most dealers will be wrong about nearly everything they tell you with regard to the Prius.

[tkil]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Oct 15 2007, 07:07 PM) [snapback]526155[/snapback]</div>

Check the owners manual for the 2005.[/b]

From the 2005 manual (for a package 9 / BC, bought in California, page 205):

Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Toyota, be sure that it has an octane rating no lower than 87.

Toyota does not reccomend the use of gasoline containing methanol.[/b]

[a priori]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Oct 15 2007, 10:07 PM) [snapback]526155[/snapback]</div>

Check the owners manual for the 2005. If it says unleaded only, use that. If it says 10% ethanol OK, then you're OK. You can't go by what the manuals for the 2006, 2007 or 2008 say.
[/b]

Good catch, Godiva. It always is going to be a bit more prudent to look at the manual for your specific model and year.

All the same, I've found that this whole question was hashed through last year for the 2005 model. Both John1701a and Tideland found that E10 was just fine for the 2005 Prius. I don't have that year's manual, but Tideland quoted from his. The language is the same as what appears in my 2007 manual.

Here is a link to his posting on Nov 20, 2006.