1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius Engine Sound with different gas

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Roger T, Apr 28, 2014.

  1. Roger T

    Roger T Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    198
    48
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Since i bought my car, i refueled twice so far.

    The first time I refueled was at a full service local Shell, which is always 20 or 30 cents more than anywhere else. People seem to rarely go there for gas because of the price (I drove by there often, and only saw like twice there were people buying gas there). I bought medium grade gas there (octane 91).

    After I went home, I immediately noticed the engine sound is different. It is now a louder sound and slightly more vibration, kind of like the engine not running smoothly. Before this tank, it was a less loud, lower frequency, more constant sound, but with minimal but noticible vibration (with the tank from the dealer when i bought the car).

    The second time I went to another more popular self-service Shell. This time I got the regular (octane 87). The engine now sounds back like the tank I got from the dealer when i bought the car.

    How does your Prius' ICE sounds like? Stale gas from the first Shell? Any possible damage to the engine?

    Thanks. :)
     
    #1 Roger T, Apr 28, 2014
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Unlikely that there'd be any damage.

    Modern engines adjust their timing to compensate for predetonation.

    I haven't noticed any changes, tank to tank, but we generally get our gasoline from similar sources.
     
    #2 css28, Apr 28, 2014
  3. Roger T

    Roger T Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    198
    48
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    Did not sound knocking to me (I watched some engine knocking videos in Youtube). It sounded more like other non-hybrid car I heard. Just louder than before and sounds not running that smoothly.
     
    #3 Roger T, Apr 28, 2014
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Can't explain it.
     
    #4 css28, Apr 28, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,947
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    every brand of gas is a bit different and will make different sounds. not to worry. by the sound you prefer, i get the quiet stuff.;)
     
    #5 bisco, Apr 28, 2014
  6. Roger T

    Roger T Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    198
    48
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Great! ;) Both are Shell tho... First gas station is less popular than the second one.
     
    #6 Roger T, Apr 28, 2014
  7. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2014
    982
    210
    0
    Location:
    N. Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    This is a fairly common occurrence, when you fill up at a station that doesn't have much traffic.
    Selecting a grade that doesn't get much use just makes the odds greater that you will get stale or contaminated fuel.

    Stick with regular at a high volume station and you will be fine.

    For those who are stuck on "premium" despite all the evidence to the contrary, buy your gas near the Country Club where you see a lot of BMWs. :)
     
    #7 Easy Rider, Apr 28, 2014
    Roger T likes this.
  8. Roger T

    Roger T Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    198
    48
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Great to know. Thanks.
     
    #8 Roger T, Apr 28, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)