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Chargeable hybrids and fuel

13K views 25 replies 13 participants last post by  AutoMatters  
#1 ·
The fuel sold today often consist of a part ethanol, E-number: E0 (no ethanol), E5 (5% ethanol), E10 (10% ethanol) etc.
Any octane (85, 87, 91) might contain ethanol. However, lower octane are able to contain a greater portion of ethanol.

A problem with ethanol is corrotion, this may hurt the engine over time.
Especially if a ethanol-rich fuel resides in the tank/engine for a long time without beeing used - on a chargeable hybrid this might happen because of daily driving only as EV.

Did any of the Prime owners here (rav4 or prius) get any special advice on this topic from the dealer, ie. what fuel to use/prefer, force engine usage etc ?
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Hi again. Sharing some notes found in the owners manual (RAV4 Prime, Europe), regarding fuel;
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When you find these types of fuel label at the gas station, use only the fuel with one of the following labels: E5 or E10. You must only use unleaded gasoline. Select unleaded gasoline with a Research Octane Number of 91 or higher for optimum engine performance.
Bioethanol fuel sold under names such as “E50” or “E85” and fuel containing a large amount of ethanol should not be used. Your vehicle can use gasoline mixed with 10% max ethanol. The use of fuel with more than 10% ethanol content (E10) will damage the vehicle’s fuel system. You must ensure that refueling is carried out only from a source where fuel specification and quality can be guaranteed. In case of any doubt, ask the dealer or a qualified workshop.
Do not use the methanol blended gasoline such as M15, M85, M100. The use of gasoline containing methanol may cause engine damage or failure.
For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used. Refuel at least 20 L (5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal.) of fuel every 12 months (refuel a total of at least 20 L [5.3 gal., 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 12- month period), as this may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.
If the vehicle has not been refueled for a certain amount of time and it is possible that the quality of the fuel remaining in the tank has changed, “No New Fuel has been Added Recently Please refuel” is displayed on the multi-information display when the power switch is turned to ON. If the message is displayed, refuel the vehicle immediately
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I suggest RAV4 prime owners should avoid having a full tank just sitting there over a extended time period, keep (at least) enough free space to do a refill.