Can Toyota Prius Use E10 Fuel? (Let’s Find Out)

With climate change on the rise, more people are getting conscious of how they contribute to environmental pollution.

E10 petrol has significantly more renewable ethanol than E5 petrol. This causes lesser Carbon dioxide emissions related to petrol vehicles.

So, people wonder if a Toyota Prius uses E10.

The Toyota Prius can use E10 petrol. Its inherent design and engineering allow it to run on petrol containing about 0% to 10% ethanol. Any Toyota Prius manufactured for European markets can use the E10 gasoline. Consequently, this model of Toyota uses this brand of petrol.

Can Hybrid Cars Use E10 Petrol? 

Hybrid cars can use E10 petrol. E10 petrol has the same high octane rating as current unleaded petrol.

However, it has twice the amount of ethanol in standard-grade petrol: 10%.

These hybrid cars have powertrains that are inclined to reduce CO₂ emissions.

This is a credit to their improved fuel economy and their capability to operate in partnership with the electric-only mode. 

What Type of Fuel does a Toyota Prius Use? 

With so many kinds of petrol out there, it’s sometimes confusing which one to use.

Toyota, however, endorses owners to fuel their Toyota Prius with standard unleaded fuel.

This fuel should have between 87-89 octane rating. It is compatible with a Prius having a four-cylinder engine 1.8L and electric motor. 

Also, you should consider the engine of the Prius. The engines of the 2021 Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius AWD, Prius eco, and Prius prime require unleaded gasoline.

They all have a 1.8L four-cylinder. However, these engines can use unleaded petrol only with an octane rating of 87. So it is a bad idea to use premium gasoline in the engine. 

The 2016 – 2020 Toyota Prius is compatible with regular unleaded petrol. They have the 1.8L, four-cylinder.

Leaded gasoline is not okay for use here because it can destroy your car’s three-way catalytic converters.

This can lead to the breaking down of the emission control system. Therefore, the octane rating here should be 87. 

The 2016 – 2020 Toyota Prius C with 1.5L, four-cylinder also uses the octane rating of 87.

On the other hand, the 2016 – 2017 Prius V has a 1.8L, four-cylinder. This one uses the standard unleaded petrol with an octane rating of 87. 

We also have the 2019 – 2020 Prius AWD. It has a 1.8L, four-cylinder. It has a 1.8L four-cylinder Automatic (variable gear ratios).

The recommendation is regular gasoline with an octane rating of 87. In addition, you can use unleaded petrol in the 2012 – 2015 Toyota Prius.

The octane rating is 87; anything other than that causes engine knocking.

Furthermore, Toyota approves the use of low-emission gasoline, which has undergone reformulation.

These are good for the Prius 1.8L four-cylinder engine; you can also use top Tier Detergent petrol.

It helps engine performance by lessening deposits from the engine. Toyota owners can likewise use gasohol with an octane rating above 87. 

What Year Cars are Compatible with E10? 

This E10 gas is relatively recent. So owners with old cars might be worried that their vehicles won’t be compatible with the E10 petrol.

Nevertheless, most vehicles manufactured between 2000 till present can use E10 fuel. Nonetheless, there are some exemptions from prominent brands like Audi, Toyota, Ford, Mercedes, and Volkswagen. 

This new fuel will replace the former E5. The E10 came out in a bid to minimize CO₂ emissions.

Although most modern cars can run using  E10 gasoline, many vehicles are still not suited to the E10. Older cars, especially classic models, are more susceptible to damage from the  E10 petrol. 

These cars could also deteriorate if frequently filled with the E10. Using E10 in an incompatible vehicle will not instantly harm your vehicle.

However, contact your dealer or vehicle manufacturer for advice if you mistakenly do so. Also, note that E10 has more ethanol than E5. 

This can damage the rubber and plastic components like seals and fuel filters to incompatible cars. E10 also absorbs moisture from its surroundings.

This can lead to the decay of the fuel tanks and several metal components in the vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to use a compatibility checker to confirm if your car can use the fuel. 

Can a Prius Use Ethanol Gas? 

Toyota disapproves of the use of gasoline that has more than 10% ethanol. Examples of such are E30, E50, E85. These types of gasoline contain over 15% ethanol.

They are responsible for untimely engine damage and give wrong readings on the fuel gauge. Therefore, it is advisable to use an octane rating of 87, the most compatible petrol for the Prius. 

There is misinformation about the increase in performance of your vehicle when you use higher-grade petrol.

This isn’t the case as octane ratings are not proportional to interpretation but the petrol’s resistance to pre-ignition. Higher-grade fuel raises the resistance to pre-ignition, and this harms your engine. 

Can You Put E85 Flex Fuel Gas In A Toyota Prius?

Conclusion

Toyota Prius can use E10 petrol since the amount of ethanol in the petrol can’t harm the car. They are also produced for the European markets, making them compatible with E10 gasoline. In addition, hybrid & Toyota Alphard vehicles can use E10 petrol.

Prius petrol should be standard unleaded petrol with an octane rating of 87 – 89. Overall, most vehicles manufactured from 2000 can use the E10 fuel. However, the Prius cannot use ethanol gas with over 10% ethanol.