Increased MPG based on fuel type?

it could be either. it's very difficult to tack mpg's except by the tankful, and even then we average long term results

 

Somewhat similar experience: one time on a road trip up the coast, we gassed up in a small town, with Chevron regular, and we got noticeably better mpg for the rest of that tank, seemed effortless too. I suspect it was ethanol-free.

Just that once. Even tried Chevron's highest octane (up here their 94 octane pump has a sticker saying "ethanol-free", made no noticeable difference.

 

It could be lots of things. Speed limits. Terrain (mountain descents can be lossy). E10 vs E15 vs E0. Altitude (better engine efficiency and lower air drag at high altitude). Octane (lower octane should have slightly higher energy density, and 85-86 octane is available in certain high altitude areas). Weather. Head / tailwind difference. Differences in road surface roughness. Fuel blend or batch differences. Refueling nozzle cutoff differences. Differences is driving style (if trading driving shifts with a companion) or driver mood (if solo). Etc.

 

Sure. Could be either one. Or maybe something else entirely.

Like a lot of "curiosity" questions that seem to come up here, you likely will never know for sure.

 

52 city and hwy combine. 47 interstate by itself. Mystery solved, didn’t even need to put on white lab coat. The slower you drive on a Prius the higher mpg yield.

 

Of course it could be differences in driving.

But it *might* some difference in fuel.
Main factors:
(1) %Ethanol and
(2) the gasoline portion RBOB (Reformulated gaso) will typically be slightly less energy content than CBOB

There is no energy content (MPG) spec that has to be met, so energy content could vary a little bit. I never had much chance to play around with it due to living in a RFG area where E0 and CBOB are banned. All I got is RBOB + 10% Ethanol. CBOB could vary more than RBOB whereas RBOB is quite constant energy content..

Of course, the above is a USA discussion...I cannot speak to non-USA fuels

I did some home "lab" work a few years ago posted here. What you need to measure is %ethanol and density. Higher density and lower ethanol would favor +MPG .

 

Maybe pass? page 560 of Owner's Manual:

 

Back while ago, 2 users ganged up on me saying that the gen 3 can take e15 and it went on for 4 pages. I uploaded a photo of the exact page and the 2 users no longer replied, they were users from the gen 4 sub forum. The gas cap will also tell you in print.

 

Go for it! It should gum up the fuel circuit, projects are nice to have.

 

I always get better MPG during the return trip. Have noticed the same with multiple cars. First i thought it’s some Italian tune up thing but no, it’s just driving style.

 

Yeah I agree, forego the egr cleaning.

 

@diewisa I’m pretty sure this is grit’s wry humour. At 150k you’re getting into head gasket failure territory; get on the EGR clean ASAP, including intake manifold. At least 50 k sooner would be better; HG faiure is a gradual thing.

see first two links in my signature; on a phone turn it landscape to see signature.

 

I get better mpg from shell regular

 

Cheaper now, pay much more later for repairs, poor man buys twice, rich man buys once.

 

gotcha, didn’t realize deed was done.

corking one end and filling with solution is very efficient. Let it soak about an hour, rinse and repeat. I found about 5 cycles had it like new, albeit first time around was at maybe 65k kms, so very easy. I used Oxi-Clean Versatile Stain Remover (laundry powder), in concentrated hot water solution.

If you want to go with NaOH ((aka lye), Draino is a witches brew now, has a lot of extra ingredients (including shredded aluminum if I’m not mistaken) but you should be able to order lye on Amazon; it’s a soap making staple.