Count me among those who thought it was stupid using higher octane gas than the manufacturer suggested. I was wrong. I thought the engine management computer would reach some spark advance limit before you'd get any benefits, but, to quote Wilson:

"Modern electronics is good enough that automakers are now writing engine-management software to 'follow the knock sensor.' That is, the ignition timing, which is already being adjusted by the engine-management computer many times per second, is largely determined from what the knock sensor is commanding... Everything else being equal, the higher the fuel octane, the more ignition timing can be run before knock occurs, and thus more power is made."

 

and is there testing to verify this.....

 

I know that some engines I had in the past with individual knock sensors per cylinder did this, and the results were obvious in the performance, but I have seen nothing to indicate that the Scions are set up this way.

Be nice if they were...

 

Who is Wilson? Tim Taylor's neighbor?

If there was a benefit, it would be seen in the time slips in the quarter-mile. Hasn't happened, nitro-breath.

 

Dead horse, meet stick.

 

that made me laugh so hard you have no idea. yeah whos wilson?

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59642

 

Ah, sorry, I had edited the post and accidently left out the part that that identifies "Wilson" as Tom Wilson, technical editor at Road & Track.

 

I'd like to see a test that verified this. . . there was a test by Motortrend (in 1999, I think) that tested this theory, and many cars LOST performance (although it was negligible) as a result. They concluded that it was best to stick to the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

The topic that will not die.

I have an xB.
I only use 87 octane.
I like getting good mileage and using the cheapest gas.
Anyone else can do what they want.

 

yeah. . . I don't think the point is to change what people think. . . I know that I, personally, would LOVE to see some conrcrete evidence, either way, as it would be something cool to know.

 

Yes, and if it makes a difference, how much. You also would need to run the test many times to make sure there was a statistically significant difference.

 

You hit the nail right on the head.

 

um, that quote is entirely taken out of context. if you read that article further it goes on to say to use the octane recommended by the manufacturer. this octane topic has been discussed to death.

 

The funny thing, the previous discussion on this topic helped convince me to use the basic octane rating suggested by the manufacturer. I haven't experienced any difference in performance and actually, a slight increase in gas mileage.

 

Just checked, only one knock sensor in every Scion.

Sorry!

-Alex

 

I agree...this topic has been discussed plenty of times. I know you are letting everyone know that YOU have seen the light, but there is really no point to make a post about it. If anyone wants more information about this discussion please follow the below link:

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59642