Lower Octane Fuel

[Mav_RICK]

All gasoline is required to contain a minimum amount of additives and detergents as set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Regardless of toptier or nor. Top their is a brand. There is 129 gasoline refineries in US. Good luck finding pure gas.

Not looking for “pure gas” all I know is there is a Valero and then the QTs near me have Top Tier listed on their pumps and the Top Tier website lists those locations. Are you saying all the rest have equivalent detergents? I’m not saying they don’t. I really don’t know.

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[Mightybeast]

Not looking for “pure gas” all I know is there is a Valero and then the QTs near me have Top Tier listed on their pumps and the Top Tier website lists those locations. Are you saying all the rest have equivalent detergents? I’m not saying they don’t. I really don’t know.

They must have detergent. it's optional for the gas station to have label or not. And to say more if you located in colder climate you probably know that in winter there are different gas. Even more additives in it. In order to burn water.

 

[Mav_RICK]

They must have detergent. it's optional for the gas station to have label or not. And to say more if you located in colder climate you probably know that in winter there are different gas. Even more additives in it. In order to burn water.

I understand that all gasoline has detergents I was just under the impression that “Top Tier” labeled was superior but I’ll admit I might have the wrong impression.

 

[RichardCranium]

I found an interesting little article that referenced C&D testing a ford f-150 Raptor with the 3.5L Ecoboost. They measured a loss of 20 horsepower, .6 seconds lost in the 0-60 test and .5 seconds slower in the 1/4 mile, resulting in 4MPH slower. This was in a direct comparison of 87 and 93 Octane. here

So, Like the manual says, For everyday driving, 87 is fine, but if you want the power, go with 91/93.

My guess is that the everyday commuter will not notice much of a difference.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I'm not going to be one of these people.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/money/news/a40536/aaa-study-premium-gas-waste/

 

[Mightybeast]

Loss of power will not justify 10% in price difference.

 

[RichardCranium]

I understand that all gasoline has detergents I was just under the impression that “Top Tier” labeled was superior but I’ll admit I might have the wrong impression.

I think top tier refers to the amount and quality of the detergents. There are some gas stations that claim to exceed top tier standards around here. 23 years ago I worked at a Texaco station. The rep for Texaco was in one day and he said that all brands of gasoline run the same base fuel mixture, but the additive packages were different. He said that Texaco/Shell used "Techroline" which was the same thing as "Techron" at Chevron stations but named different due to companies (I think Chevron and Texaco were the same company back then) but the ratios were different. He said that most unbranded gasoline had a smaller ratio of detergents than name brand, and that is how they could sell them for cheaper. I don't think they called it top tier back then. Now, that fuel rep could have been blowing smoke, but he said the fuel was mixed as it was filling the trucks for delivery to the station.

 

[Mav_RICK]

I think top tier refers to the amount and quality of the detergents. There are some gas stations that claim to exceed top tier standards around here. 23 years ago I worked at a Texaco station. The rep for Texaco was in one day and he said that all brands of gasoline run the same base fuel mixture, but the additive packages were different. He said that Texaco/Shell used "Techroline" which was the same thing as "Techron" at Chevron stations but named different due to companies (I think Chevron and Texaco were the same company back then) but the ratios were different. He said that most unbranded gasoline had a smaller ratio of detergents than name brand, and that is how they could sell them for cheaper. I don't think they called it top tier back then. Now, that fuel rep could have been blowing smoke, but he said the fuel was mixed as it was filling the trucks for delivery to the station.

Well I fueled at a Quick Trip today that has “Top Tier” listed on their pumps but I have no Idea if it’s really any better than the others.

 

[deckmt]

This is great advice. Generally octane doesn’t matter. Generally. Though I am a high octane person there is no “right answer”. But quality gas is always worth it in the long term. If you plan on selling early then buy whatever. But if you plan on keeping it for a long time quality gas is a better buy up than higher octane.

Its fine to use 87. 11k miles on my only used 87. And yes all gas need to have detergent(top tier) in it and it will. On my research, Shell gas seems to have higher milage per gallon.

I will go to any station listed in the Top Tier list.

Kirkland (Costco) and Quick Trip are Top Tier gas sellers.

 

[RRaynor2]

As many others have said, 87 is fine. Premium will slightly increase HP and Fuel economy due to optimal ignition timing. The computer will retard the timing to account for premature detonation of lower octane fuel.

 

[crgator]

For the 150 millionth time on the internet and in this forum, octane has absolutely nothing to do with MPG directly. Mileage changes in between octanes have more to do with ethanol content. What there is, that is undeniable is a performance change and resistance to, or lack thereof against detonation.

Perhaps I should have said something to the effect of "even if using premium had any impact on mpg." And that was the point I was trying to make. I did find an interesting piece by Firestone DOES HIGHER GRADE GAS GET YOU BETTER MILEAGE? that somewhat contradicts itself. Here, ...Premium gas "can offer benefits like higher resistance to engine knock, helping to enable more horsepower, and potentially granting better gas mileage with reduced emissions", and then "Octane ratings alone do not equal better gas mileage".

 

[NJBob]

Engines are built around an octane. They're designed to run optimally at that rating. (you should see what octane actually does). There can be loss of performance and issues if you go down, say a porsche running 87 when the motor is built to perform at 91-2. Going up on a non-performance maverick will see an increase in performance (minimal at best), but isn't going to increase the longevity of the motor. My new mercury outboard is rated for 87. My 155k mile 06 tundra has had nothing but 87. My gasser F250 is built for 87.

My Mercury's outboard the dealer told me to use premium. The reason being is that over time the octane rating drops. I don't use much gas in a season so I do it.

 

[NJBob]

I understand that all gasoline has detergents I was just under the impression that “Top Tier” labeled was superior but I’ll admit I might have the wrong impression.

That's an accreditation. Many may have the same as top tier but do not want to pay for the accreditation. That being said I always go for top tier when I can.

 

[Mightybeast]

As many others have said, 87 is fine. Premium will slightly increase HP and Fuel economy due to optimal ignition timing. The computer will retard the timing to account for premature detonation of lower octane fuel.

Incorrect. Computer will not do that again unless you will force it to do. Do you remember in old days when mechanic used to do any work on intakes, filters and fuel system they had to unplug battery? The reason was Cpu will learn habits of driving in the first 14 min of driving. And adjust fuel/air ration accordingly. While it is possible to disconnect EB battery...... And wait 15min.... It is a bit problematic with Hybrid.

 

[Mightybeast]

As many others have said, 87 is fine. Premium will slightly increase HP and Fuel economy due to optimal ignition timing. The computer will retard the timing to account for premature detonation of lower octane fuel.

Please watch.

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