I used 89 octane and my MPG has gone up 3 ticks already

[jpv74]

Ok looks like we have run our course. I didnt realize that a fuel octane thread would be similar to a tire thread but I see it heading in that direction. Thanks for all of the replies.

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[2xblueovalhybrid]

You have hit on the main reason people see a small MPG bump when using higher octane fuels. if a given fuel contains 10% ethanol it follows that a zero % ethanol fuel should deliver 10% more energy. but this does not mean you suddenly get a 10% improvement in mpg or performance, its not a linier correlation.

also when considering which fuel to use dont sleep on the long term benefits of using 'Top Tier' gas. this is gas blended with additional additives that cut down on carbon build up and other good things. most big box discount gas stations usually dont carry top tier gas, as it is a voluntary industry standard that exceeds the federal govt standards for this kind of stuff. youll typically pay an extra .05 to .10 cents p/g for this fuel.

the engine in our hybrid was designed to operate jus fine using 87 octane and the miniscule performance/mpg boost you may receive isnt worth the extra expense to me but to each their own, its your truck after all, feel free to feed it whatever you wish.

Correct - and excellent points. Ethanol is less energy dense than petroleum-based motor gasoline. The blend rate for ethanol and octane is indeed not linear. I also 100% endorse the point on simply paying for what's called "branded" (Shell, BP, Exxon, etc.) over "Unbranded" (Costco, Wawa, etc.) gasoline - if you really care about gasoline quality. Otherwise a can of Seafoam gasoline additive every so often will keep dem'pipes cleeeeennnn.

Also, those that are finding they get better mpg or performance with higher octane fuels need to also realize it may be an attention bias. Because they put premium rather than regular, they're paying more attention to MPG and other little things than they normally would. So there needs to be some kind of a control and repeatable data that could verify. Not to mention the fact that the truck would need to be operated on the same exact route, under the same exact conditions, repeatedly for the data and results to be valid.

But like Old Ford Guy said - it's your truck, it's your money - do as you please.

 

[Flight Test]

I enjoy reading a reply based on fact-based technical information rather than subjective "seat of the pants" opinion. My take is simple, since I am not a cheapskate when it comes to my vehicles, I go with the recommendation in the manual.

 

[jpv74]

So the manual says the truck is designed to run on 87 but then says 91 for optimal performance so which way do you go since you go off of what the manual says?

 

[AutobahnSHO]

...

If you see a station with a tanker truck delivering gasoline, keep driving to another station. In the process of refilling, sediments that have fallen to the bottom of the underground tanks can be disturbed and make their way to the pumps.

...

I've read this the last 30 years and I wonder how much sediment keeps getting dumped into gas station tanks between tanker truck fillups??.....

 

[Flight Test]

So the manual says the truck is designed to run on 87 but then says 91 for optimal performance so which way do you go since you go off of what the manual says?

If you're talking to me, I use premium.

 

[2xblueovalhybrid]

I've read this the last 30 years and I wonder how much sediment keeps getting dumped into gas station tanks between tanker truck fillups??.....

There's always some degree of extremely fine particulates in the gasoline, that after a long time eventually settle on the bottom. The same is true for pretty much all petroleum liquids. They're called "tank bottoms", and the older the tank the more bottom material has probably settled.

If the station owner let the reserve tanks get really low, and then it's refilled, it could stir up those sediments. If the tank is getting topped off, it's less likely. But since you can never know, probably best to just avoid.

Jet fuel is the most rigorously controlled and monitored fuel quality-wise. They have very complex and expensive filtration systems at airports to eliminate the risk of any impurities. Not stuff your regular retail station has installed.

I'm not saying it is a big deal or a great concern. Again, a can of seafoam in the tank on occasion puts my mind at ease.

 

[jpv74]

If you're talking to me, I use premium.

Yes I was asking you. Interesting.....I bet she runs like a scalded mule on premium.

 

[Flight Test]

Yes I was asking you. Interesting.....I bet she runs like a scalded mule on premium.

Yes, she does. I did not make that clear earlier.

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