[wilson83]

Which is better? Performance? Efficiency/Higher MPG?

87 Octane Regular Fuel?

or

89 Octane E10 (10% Ethanol)?

The reason I'm asking this is because I remember driving to Chicago from LA a month ago, and somewhere in between, there's gas station selling the 89 Octane E10 for about 20cents cheaper per gallon compared to 87 Octane regular gas. I ended up pumping the 89 Octane E10.

So which is better, in all different aspects ...

Oh by the way, I drive an 08 Camry LE V6 ... owned it since December 31, 2007 ... and funny enough that I had my transmission replaced 2 weeks ago, and it started to flare again about a week ago, and I'm getting a 2nd transmission replaced ...

 

[TRD VVTi]

Efficiency and performance are nearly the same thing.

Stick with the 87 octane. The Camry doesn't benefit from higher octane in most situations.

 

[kenny1773]

Which is better? Performance? Efficiency/Higher MPG?

87 Octane Regular Fuel?

or

89 Octane E10 (10% Ethanol)?

This is practically IMPOSSIBLE for any here to answer accurately.

Ethanol has less BTU's per gallon than unblended gas, therefore, you will get lower MPG the more Ethanol you blend in.

HOWEVER - there is a point somewhere in the efficiency curve with Ethanol that states a certain percentage blend **COULD** cause a more efficient burn in some engines under certain conditions - you just have no idea where that lies for your application and if 10% is the most effcient blend.

I would say run the cheaper stuff for 4-6 tanks and take an average MPG over those tanks and see where it stands.

If I had to take a wild guess, I would guess that 10% ethanol will reduce your overall MPGs, the higher octane rating will not gain it back.

 

[wilson83]

Thanks for the reply. The next time I travel around those areas, I'll remember to go with non-ethanol gas.

 

[Baneling]

Hi all, so it seems there is no benefit to using higher octane fuel in the camry in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. But what about longevity? will my beautiful new 2020 Camry last longer if I use higher octane fuel? I once heard that higher octane fuel cleans your engine better than lower octane.

 

[SFCamry]

Hi all, so it seems there is no benefit to using higher octane fuel in the camry in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. But what about longevity? will my beautiful new 2020 Camry last longer if I use higher octane fuel? I once heard that higher octane fuel cleans your engine better than lower octane.

Nope, octane will not really make your engine run cleaner.

"Octane is simply a measure of the fuel makeup, and its tendency or resistance to cause engine knock or ping when used under duress (higher RPM). The octane index rating is not based on a quantity of a chemical in the fuel mixture, but is a measure of the efficiency of the fuel blend, expressed as a ratio, relative to the efficiency of a pure hydrocarbon, which would have an octane index rating of 100 (or 100 percent). Because gasoline is made up of many different hydrocarbons, the octane rating is a comparison of the anti-knock characteristics of the blend relative to the anti-knock characteristics of a pure hydrocarbon with a 100 percent rating.

Although higher octane can cost substantially more per gallon, it does not necessarily mean it is better for your car. Higher octane gas is processed through additional steps that further refine the blend and cause it to burn more slowly than lower octanes. These additional processes are what contribute to the higher pricing, but that does not mean the higher octane will offer any advantage over other blends in many engines. Octane does not offer any better fuel mileage, increase engine horsepower, or make the engine start quicker. Higher octane only reduces the likelihood of engine knock or ping. " https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2014/...the-fiction-behind-those-higher-priced-fuels/

 

[Baneling]

thanks

 

[Baneling]

someone once told me that if your car gets used to higher octane fuel, then you go back to the lower octane, it won't like it. those weren't the exact works, but basically it will be worse.

 

[SFCamry]

someone once told me that if your car gets used to higher octane fuel, then you go back to the lower octane, it won't like it. those weren't the exact works, but basically it will be worse.

I can't think of why that would be the case. The main advantage of the higher octane is to manage knock. You won't get knock because you change fuel octane; unless the ECU subtly changes the detonation timing. But if it sense knock then it will adjust to accommodate. If your engine is knocking then upping the octane may fix that, so of course dropping back would probably bring the knock back.

I can't tell you 100% that it is not the case running high then switching to low will cause the engine to run worse, but I am not aware of such a thing.

Knock Explained

 

[Vangm25]

A lot of people will tell a lot of people they they know a thing or two. Whether or not it is correct... well... you've got the opinion of hundreds of people and only a few of them may be factual.

 

[Baneling]

I started using higher octane for my 2008 legacy a few years ago cause I was hoping it would last longer. but for my new camry, i'm going to stick to the normal 87 octane fuel.

 

[SFCamry]

The Camry engine is a lower compression engine (comparative) so it does not need anything above 87 octane. I don't know about the Legacy. Again, unless you experience knock, all you accomplish by putting octane above 87 into the Camry is a lighter wallet. Or higher dividends from your oil/gas stocks.

 

[Baneling]

what is knock anyways? can you tell me in very basic terms?

 

[69887]

what is knock anyways? can you tell me in very basic terms?

You can google "engine knock" or "engine detonation" and get a good explanation.

 

[SFCamry]

Simple terms:

The compression in the cylinder causes the air/fuel mix to ignite. The expanding wave of that explosion hits the expanding wave of the normal explosion and you get the ping/knock sound. Your car has a knock sensor that is tuned to hear this kind of sound and will adjust timing to try to get rid of the knock.

 

[69887]

Which is better? Performance? Efficiency/Higher MPG?

87 Octane Regular Fuel?

or

89 Octane E10 (10% Ethanol)?

It's not possible to know that without knowing what detergent additives are in each gas. Usually, non-ethanol is better, but it is often sold for farm or marine engines that can't handle ethanol E10 (unlike your car which can handle it) and may not have the additive package of the normal gas sold for that brand.

The additive package is important in making sure there are enough detergents to keep fuel injectors clean. Here is a list of Top Tier gas brands that have acceptable additive packages:

TOP TIER™ Gasoline Brands

www.toptiergas.com

The problem is that even if the brand for the station you stopped at is on the Top Tier list, the same station may carry non-ethanol gas that doesn't have the same additive package as all the other E10 gas they sell, as it may be sourced from a different supplier.

 

[rob0126]

I have run 89-90 in my 05 2.4, with no issues. It has 285k miles on it.
Every once in a while, I run chevron techron in the tank.

I personally think the mid grade is a cleaner gas, than the lower grade, in most cases.

 

[69887]

I have run 89-90 in my 05 2.4, with no issues. It has 285k miles on it.
Every once in a while, I run chevron techron in the tank.

I personally think the mid grade is a cleaner gas, than the lower grade, in most cases.

Chevron claims they put more Techron in their higher octane gas than in the regular octane. Shell makes similar claims.

 

[steve108]

It's a simple math problem here. The car won't care which you run in terms of reliability or longevity. Any difference in power output will be so small it isn't going to matter.

As others suggested, figure out your average gas mileage on both types and then figure out the difference in cost per mile. For example:

87: $2.20/gal / 30 mpg = $0.073/mile
89E10: $2.00/gal / 28 mpg = $0.071/mile

I bet you'll find the difference is next to nothing.

 

[rob0126]

Chevron claims they put more Techron in their higher octane gas than in the regular octane. Shell makes similar claims.

Sounds about right.

To me, if I can keep the fuel system parts going longer by using cleaner gas, then I will.
This has been my experience over the years with multiple brands of vehicles.