View Poll Results: what octane do you use for your SCION ? XB ?? and what gas station do you go to ??
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What octane do you use and what gas station do you go to
09-03-2006, 02:42 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by oldboxman
Also were can you get lower than 87? Ive never seen it anywhere.
According to the FTC (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm) it’s up to the individual states to determine what octane gas gets which rating (regular/mid/premium).
09-07-2006, 06:40 AM
#50
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Originally Posted by Tomas
Boxerinabox, at the stations I use there is a separate electrical pump, and separate hose, for each grade of fuel in each 'kiosk.' There is no mixing.
There is a common hose at yours for the diffeent grades?
Tomas
There is a common hose at yours for the diffeent grades?
Tomas
09-07-2006, 04:00 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by Jenna
I came to this thread to get a definitive answer. Damnit.
From: Scion <scion_mail@scion.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:09:12 -0700 (PDT)
To: <...@insightbb.com>
Subject: Scion xB horsepower and torque [Incident: 060901-000071]
"… The vehicle is engineered and tested using 87 octane fuel. We recommend that fuel for optimum performance, reliability, and fuel economy on the vehicle. The vehicle does make the same power at maximum throttle position on 87 octane as it would on higher octane fuel."
Also, here is a paste from the 2006 Tacoma Owners Manual showing that if high octane will improve performance, the manual would say so (and the xB manual does NOT):
OCTANE RATING
2TR-FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher.
1GR-FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher. For improved vehicle performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 or higher.
(2TR-FE is the 2.7L I-4 and 1GR-FE is the 4.0L V-6)
For our 1NZ-FE engine, the xB manual just says 87 or higher, meaning no benefit from the "higher".
09-08-2006, 08:18 AM
#52
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Thanks! That will finally put to rest all the "I use hi-grade to get more power" threads. 
They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!
Yeah, I know, they'll say "but expensive gas has better additives in it". Ok, whatever. Then go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane!
SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths.
...just because I'm paranoid it doesn't mean that they aren't after me...
:D
They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!Yeah, I know, they'll say "but expensive gas has better additives in it". Ok, whatever. Then go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane!
SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths.
...just because I'm paranoid it doesn't mean that they aren't after me...
:D
09-08-2006, 04:34 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by peteski
Thanks! That will finally put to rest all the "I use hi-grade to get more power" threads. They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!... go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane! SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths....
They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!... go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane! SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths....
1GR-FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher. For improved vehicle performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 or higher.
09-08-2006, 06:35 PM
#55
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One place where my beloved ScanGauge falls into the close-but-no-cigar category is that it will display ignition advance/retard info but won't record it (though there must be some sort of computer-oid/software-oid thing out there that does). It would be cool to be able to gather some actual data on this topic...
09-08-2006, 09:30 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by Gsnorgathon
... ScanGauge... will display ignition advance/retard info but won't record it... It would be cool to be able to gather some actual data on this topic...
Dyno tests would be interesting, but it would require buying two sessions with the tank being run out of 87 and filled with 93 in between.
09-11-2006, 06:04 AM
#57
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Originally Posted by vintage42
Originally Posted by peteski
Thanks! That will finally put to rest all the "I use hi-grade to get more power" threads. They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!... go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane! SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths....
They are just throwing money away (and oil companies love that)!... go ahead and buy your Shell or Chevron gas. But buy 87 octane! SOmetimes I think that the gas companies are the ones who start all those myths....
1GR-FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher. For improved vehicle performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 or higher.
I owned a Caddy Eldorado with a Northstar engine (high performance/high compression). It ran the best on premium 94/96 gas because was designed for it. When I put in 87 octane, the knock sensor retarded ignition but kept the engine running smoothly. Yes, I lost few horses of power (as expected).
But Scion's engine is nothing like Northstar. It just isn't designed to utilize the extra anti-knocking cababilities of 94 octane gas.
But go ahead and waste your money if you wish.
09-11-2006, 02:30 PM
#58
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From Chevron themselves, good reading.
To sum it up. Only cars with knock sensors designed to benifit will benifit, anything else is in your head. As far as that goes, I know nothing of the xB's knock sensors.
To sum it up. Only cars with knock sensors designed to benifit will benifit, anything else is in your head. As far as that goes, I know nothing of the xB's knock sensors.
09-11-2006, 09:21 PM
#59
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OK, here is my experience with higher octane fuel in the box.
When I first got the box in March, I put 87 octane Chevron exclusively. Car ran fine, idled smooth, plenty of power (well, as much power as you could expect form a stock box). Then I decided to put 89 octane Chevron in just for fun. Same results. Car ran fine, smooth idle, good power. The only noticeable difference was when going up a grade. The box didn't have to downshift as soon as with 87 octane. Obviously, I have an auto. So this may not matter of you have a manual.
Well, I got bold on Friday and decided to put 93 octane VP Racing gas in the box (it cost $4.45 a gallon FYI). They just opened a station about 1/2 mile away from my job (they also sell 100 octrane at the pump for $6.50 a gallon!) I was just about empty (took 10.2 gallons) so it was almost a whole tank's worth. Well, wouldn't you know, car ran fine, idled as smooth as with 87 or 89 octane, and had plenty of power. Again, the only noticeable difference is when going up a grade. Doesn't require me to bury my foot as deep into the accelerator pedal as with 89 octane.
The gas mileage between the three different octanes was identical. No change either way.
So, my opinion about the whole thing after running three different octanes is that there is a minimal benefit to running a higher octane fuel. But is it worth it to YOU to pay the extra $.10-$.20 per gallon for said benefit? For me, it's worth paying for 89 octane. But I'll never spring for the 93 octane again (unless I decide to give ZPI a call!)
HTH
When I first got the box in March, I put 87 octane Chevron exclusively. Car ran fine, idled smooth, plenty of power (well, as much power as you could expect form a stock box). Then I decided to put 89 octane Chevron in just for fun. Same results. Car ran fine, smooth idle, good power. The only noticeable difference was when going up a grade. The box didn't have to downshift as soon as with 87 octane. Obviously, I have an auto. So this may not matter of you have a manual.
Well, I got bold on Friday and decided to put 93 octane VP Racing gas in the box (it cost $4.45 a gallon FYI). They just opened a station about 1/2 mile away from my job (they also sell 100 octrane at the pump for $6.50 a gallon!) I was just about empty (took 10.2 gallons) so it was almost a whole tank's worth. Well, wouldn't you know, car ran fine, idled as smooth as with 87 or 89 octane, and had plenty of power. Again, the only noticeable difference is when going up a grade. Doesn't require me to bury my foot as deep into the accelerator pedal as with 89 octane.
The gas mileage between the three different octanes was identical. No change either way.
So, my opinion about the whole thing after running three different octanes is that there is a minimal benefit to running a higher octane fuel. But is it worth it to YOU to pay the extra $.10-$.20 per gallon for said benefit? For me, it's worth paying for 89 octane. But I'll never spring for the 93 octane again (unless I decide to give ZPI a call!)
HTH
09-12-2006, 06:07 PM
#60
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I strctly use 87 now, I tried the mileage/power experiment with higher octane, there was no noticeable difference to me. In fact the higher octane reflected LESS mileage. But honestly if I had been interested in performance, I sure would have looked into another car. I love my Box. All 103 HP strong...LOL