gasoline

[skkiii_whhaattt]

hey all, i was just wondering what kind of gasoline you guys use when u fill up ur tank? i hear 76 is the best gas to get because its more cleaner, has more octane and less watered down than chevron and shell.... therefore it will last longer... and i know arco isnt that great at all compared to any of those... ive been using chevron and shell lately.... oh and also do u use 87 89 or 91 gas?

 

[One_96TR4]

I just use regular 87 octane. I don't think there's much point in using any higher unless your F/I and then you have to run 91+. In canada we have shell, sunoco, esso, petro and a few other not so big company's. I generally use shell or petro.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I run a well known brand fuel and genrally avoid grocery store gas. I use Conoco pretty much all the time and at the altitude denver is at I've successfully have been running 85 but I still run a tank of 87 every once in a while just to make sure the 85 isn't hurting anything and no knock issues even going up into the mountains on a hot day.

 

[gapboi210]

85? We don't have that here in Texas. Just 87-89-91. There are a few stations here and there that sell 103 or 107. You could always go to Alamo Racing anf get some 117 octane LOL. I actually just filled up with a tank of 93 Octane. I paid $2.51 a gallon. Seems to idle smoother. I am seeing if it is worth it for better mileage or not.

 

[cmar]

I use 93. Anything lower seems to make the valves click.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

all you ever wanted to know about gas and octane here

By the way, here in san antonio, we have 3 gas depots for 18 wheeler supply trucks to distribute gasoline to stations around town. At these depots the gas is all the same. Depending on which station the fuel is going to, the depot will add the various petrolium distillaes to the truck going to the station of choice. The only station that uses it's own supply depot is valero. Everyone else, chevron, texao, shell, exxon, etc. uses the same depot to get their gas. now sit and ponder that....

By the way, at 9.6:1 compression on the 3.4L, you should use at least 90 octane.
But it won't hurt to use 87. It's not "BAD" gasoline, the quality is fine, it just ignites at a lower compression.

 

[Drew]

Im a big fan of

Chevron

87 Octane


Drew

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Toyota recomends 87 in the 3.4 and anything over is kinda throwing money down the drain since if your 3.4 has issues running with 87 then running premium might just be masking a real problem.
So far performance and MPGs don't seem to vary whether I run 87 or 85 so I can go cheap.

Misfires are caused by inappropriate gas (per application) igniting before the spark plug fires,higher octane gas is more stable and actually less flammable than lower octanes.

Proper gas will tolerate lower compression engines since that's the way the engine is designed and and compression ratio doesn't tell the whole story when using an applicable fuel. 9:1 in the 3.4s is fine with 87 at sea level;now throw in turbo cars and 91 is the minimum period unless you want to risk engine damage. Turbo engines have usually less than 9:1 compression but forced air changes that.
I had to run 105 unleaded in my turbo Eclipse with a bigger turbo and 19 psi vs the smaller turbo's stock 10.5psi.

 

[Drew]

basically RON totally agrees with the Drew.


Drew

 

[panarunner]

I have always preferred Chevron. I will never go to a circle k or 7/11 or any "mini mart" gas station. I once did at a danny's family car wash and my t4r kept trying to stall out when I hit the gas.

usually just go with 89 with no probs ever.

 

[p nut]

I go to Chevron or Costco (usually Costco, because they're cheaper). The manual states to use regular. That's what I use and have had no issues.

 

[gapboi210]

I heard with the compression ratio, you can run 87 but you are border line for knocking. So it is best to run 89. 93 is not needed.

Agree? Disagree?

 

[p nut]

Depends on where you live (altitude). The gas stations around here get 85/87/91. Running 85, I've had no issues--and I've got a supercharger! You just need to run the lowest octane possible w/o pinging/knocking. If you're N/A, regular will be good enough. No need to waste your money. Anyway, don't mean to beat a dead horse...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

p nut said it right;as long as you have no knock run the lowest available. If you have problems running midgrade and aren't SC'd then you might have another problem.

Avoid too much grocery store gas as they don't have as much additives (that are good for your fuel system) that a major brand adds at their refinery. All gas isn't created equal. At least every 4-5 tankfuls you should run a quality gas through your vehicle.

 

[gapboi210]

you may not have a knock but still need to run a better gas. Vehicles with OBD II which is usually 94 and newer can retard or advance timing to compensate. So it would seem possible that you may be needing to run a better fuel but would not know it since the ECM is making adjustments.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

With the 3.4 you'll know and the best way to test it is to climb some hills in 90 degree heat since you'll notice knock and of course the reduction in power if timing is being retarded. I've been fortunate and have been running 85 since last April when gas prices shot solidly over $3 a gallon.

 

[p nut]

you may not have a knock but still need to run a better gas. Vehicles with OBD II which is usually 94 and newer can retard or advance timing to compensate. So it would seem possible that you may be needing to run a better fuel but would not know it since the ECM is making adjustments.

I don't understand what you're saying. Technically, there is no such thing as "better fuel," but different fuel. If your car requires premium, then put in premium. If it states regular in the manual, then put in regular unless you start knocking or pinng. But as Ron stated, if the latter is the case, you might have other issues.

BTW, OBD II is generally 96+.

 

[BlackIceWAP]

I'm a big fan of Cowboy's 89. RaceTrac (Raceway) generally has cheaper fuel as well.

 

[99t4rweos]

I've tried different gasoline from many retailers - Costco , Safeway, Arco, Chevron and try to drive as consistantly as possible. I've notice a differance with Chevron with better mileage and slight performance.

This is my D/D and most of my driving is in town, I only use 87 and notice with Chevron , a increase of around 1 - 2 mpg. Could be the additives they use. Not all gas is created equal.

Up here, if you look around , Chevron is 5 - 10 cents more.

I say use what you can afford that will perform the best.

 

[Pirate VI]

I always buy HESS, thier refinery is on St. Croix and I know many people who work there and even some high execs. When I am there that is all you can buy, no chain places just small no name individually owned stations.
I dont bother with premium, I just buy regular.