We just bought a Prius from a private party and are wondering what is the best fuel to use. I have read the posts and everyone says 87 octane. The fuel we have out here has 10% ethanol. I recall the previous owner saying that they never used any ethanol fuel in their vehicle. I am wondering if there is a reason for this? Can anyone whose had a Prius longer than we have ( 3 days now) enlighten us on the best type of fuel. Thanks in advance ! Jacee
10% Ethanol is the most Toyota recommends. Ethanol has 30% less energy than gasoline, so 10% ethanol should reduce MPG by 3%. (It costs WAY more than 3% more here, so I would lose money getting better mileage) If you need 3% more power, a quality no ethanol gas may be worth the money. Here in MS, the stations advertising no ethanol, are all hole in the wall dives, I would not trust any of them to have quality standards. If you want to be kind to your car; look for top tier gas, and use a busy station so the gas has no time to settle. 87 octane is fine, 85 octane above 4500 feet elevation.
Everyone uses E10 (10% ethanol) as that is mandated in USA, that is the regular stuff. You do not own a flex-fuel Prius, so you cannot use E85...actually you could, but that's a different story.
