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Switching gas?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by H.S., Jul 24, 2020.

  1. H.S.

    H.S. Junior Member

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    Hello everyone
    I am driving cross country from California. Usually i pump 87 gas in my Prius.

    when I went to New Mexico and Utah - I only find 86 or premium 90/91. I have been putting premium as a AAA agent advised me vs 86

    my question is - when can I go back to pumping 87? Do I have to wait for tank to empty or as soon as I drive back in California I can mix in 87?

    Thank you
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anytime, it won't hurt to mix them
     
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  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Use "Regular". Whatever that IS when you fill up.
    And don't worry about it.

    As long as you will still be at a high elevation for most of the tank, 86 or even 85 will be fine.

    You should go back to 87 as soon as you "come down out of the mountains".
     
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  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    :ROFLMAO:
     
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  5. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    In this instance, probably not the worst advice. With carbureted engines, lower octane helped vehicles run smoothly at altitude. The electronic engine controls that have replaced carburetors make the lower octane unnecessary. While the oil companies love charging normal prices for less octane, I think it was South Dakota that passed a law permitting 86 to be sold at elevation but making it illegal to sell in the plains.
     
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  6. H.S.

    H.S. Junior Member

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    I read that might screw with engine . Is that based on your experience ?
     
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  7. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Whoa, no technical terms! :)

    A higher octane than recommended will not screw with an engine...ever. The only thing it will screw with is your wallet.

    Long term use of a lower octane could potentially could screw with the engine, under the right circumstances and if there is a full moon, depending on how you define screw. The computers in modern cars will mostly adjust for any deviation in the recommended octane, although high performance could suffer.

    Since you used a higher octane, you have nothing to worry about.
     
    #7 Johnny Cakes, Jul 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
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  8. H.S.

    H.S. Junior Member

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    Awesome info and great to know. Just driving across 87 available gas stations now and wasn’t sure if hen I can start pumping 87 vs 91 - if I had to wait or can just go ahead
     
  9. tonycd

    tonycd Member

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    Exactly like Johnny Cakes said. Lower octane than the factory recommends can be bad. Higher will never hurt anything except your wallet, although it usually is no better than the factory recommended number.
     
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  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Lower octane is never necessary. At high altitude, it becomes acceptable.
    As soon as you find it available.
     
    #10 fuzzy1, Jul 25, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
  11. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Well put. My wording was beyond inartful.