roadtrip: Driving Cross Country.

I don't know the numbers. I do remember there was a ChrisFix video on YouTube where he stated how many times more quantity (3x over required amount think?), but not ppm. And I haven't tried any other top tier, so I don't know how it would compare to other top tier.

 

He stated in the video that the video was also sponsored by Shell.

 

True, forgot about that. Anyway I didn't wanna change the topic so let's keep it back on track with OP.

 

I had understood this detergent level difference to be variable, depending on brand, location, and vintage.

MPG can also be different simply because of differing energy content, from different blending. Back before the Ethanol / E10 mandates, premium often had a slightly lower energy content, thus lower MPG, just because of the differing hydrocarbon ratios needed to create the required octane. (It also varied with blending for seasonal vapor pressure requirements.) But this difference wasn't universal, it varied with blending specifics of each batch (ingredient availability varies, refineries prefer certain less valuable/costly ones that are not always available in the desired quantities) not generally disclosed to the retail customers.

The Ethanol mandates add more wrinkles. Ethanol itself boosts octane while reducing the overall energy density and MPG. When all octane grades actually have the same ethanol contents, then this doesn't matter. But premium octanes sometimes come with less (or even no) ethanol than normal 87 octane, thus getting an MPG boost. Most of the time, customers are flying blind on this because the relevant details are not disclosed to them.

 

You just can't resist being argumentative and abrasive, can you ?
Comments like this accomplish NOTHING useful......except maybe to convince more people to ignore your jabs.

 

Hard for me to see Grit's question as anything but the kind of simple, quantifying question you'd expect in a forum where people are looking for reliable information.

At the same time, I wonder if maybe Austin was on a different point: was it that Shell may put more detergent in their own premium grade than they put in their own regular grade? If it was that, then it wasn't necessarily any claim about Shell's additives compared to the corresponding grade from some other top-tier brand.

 

Yes. That was what I was trying to say. To my understanding Shell puts more cleaning agents in their premium than their own regular, as some of their own pumps advertise.

Annyywway, @H.S. any more questions about pre-roadtrip vehicle maintenance? Have we satisfied your needs before getting off track?

 

Good luck! Drive safely.

 

All motor vehicle fuels sold in the US have to be certified by the EPA with a detergent package that allows only a specified amount of deposition in the engine. And all Top Tier-conforming brands have to meet a stricter standard than that, for all the gas they sell. I wouldn't worry too much about the difference in additive packages between two grades from the same Top Tier brand, or between two Top Tier brands. Just buy name brand gas when you stop for fuel, check the oil, coolant, brake fluid levels and tire pressure every morning and you'll be fine. And use the AC--the battery is cooled with cabin air.

 

Who does all of that every morning?

 

I do when I'm on a road trip. It's just a quick visual check that takes all of a couple minutes including checking tire pressures.

 

Anyone who is prudent.......IF they have driven more than 500 miles the previous day.

 

I'm late to the conversation, but if I were doing the same trip, I would do an oil change, fluid check, tire rotation a few days before leaving. I would also consider an alignment if it's been awhile since the last one and your home base is pothole city. Stopping for maintenance on the road would probably be fine, but it would be a giant hassle if the shop made a mistake and you end up stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Like others have said, a quick 2 minute inspection before getting back on the road every morning would be wise

 

Toyota filter. Either Castrol or Mobil 1, 0w20. That's what is called for.
Toyota says you can use 5w20, but need to change oil sooner and then go back to 0w-20.
Many use 0w30, some 0w40, though I PERSONALLY feel that 0w40 is too thick.
But rest assured, you'll get lot's of input.

But there are many brands, just make sure it's Synthetic.

 

Our's has seen only Toyota 0W20, mostly bulk. Done about 19~20 oil changes now (every 6 months since 2010), running fine, no consumption.