Vehicle specifications -> Fuel information for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

6-1. Spec ific at ions  
Fuel inform ation  
You must only use unleaded gasoline in your vehicle.  
Select octane rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. Use  
of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87 may result  
in engine knocking. Persistent knocking can lead to engine damage.  
At minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications  
of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB3.5-M93 in Canada.  
Fuel tank opening for unleaded gasoline  
To help prevent incorrect fueling, your vehicle has a fuel tank opening that  
only accommodates the special nozzle on unleaded fuel pumps.  
Gasoline quality  
In very few cases, driveability problems may be caused by the brand of gas-  
oline you are using. If driveability problems persist, try changing the brand of  
gasoline. If this does not correct the problem, consult your Toyota dealer.  
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6-1. Specifications  
Gasoline quality standards  
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.A., Europe and Japan have devel-  
oped a specification for fuel quality called the World-Wide Fuel Charter  
(WWFC), which is expected to be applied worldwide.  
The WWFC consists of four categories that are based on required emis-  
sion levels. In the U.S., category 4 has been adopted.  
The WWFC improves air quality by lowering emissions in vehicle fleets,  
and improves customer satisfaction through better performance.  
Recommendation of the use of gasoline containing detergent additives  
Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives  
to avoid the build-up of engine deposits.  
All gasoline sold in the U.S.A. contains detergent additives to clean and/  
or keep clean intake systems.  
Recommendation of the use of cleaner burning gasoline  
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated gasoline that contains oxy-  
genates such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in  
many areas.  
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately  
blended reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent  
vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.  
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6-1. Specifications  
Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline  
Use only gasoline containing a maxi-  
mum of 10% ethanol.  
DO NOT use gasoline  
containing more than  
10% ethanol.  
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline  
that could contain more than 10% etha-  
nol, including from any pump labeled  
E15, E30, E50, E85 (which are only  
some examples of fuel containing more  
than 10% ethanol).  
(15% ethanol)  
(50% ethanol)  
(85% ethanol)  
If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure that it has an octane rating no  
lower than 87.  
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.  
Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT  
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methyl-  
cyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).  
Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel  
containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely  
affected.  
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If  
this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.  
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If your engine knocks  
Consult your Toyota dealer.  
You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while acceler-  
ating or driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.  
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6-1. Specifications  
NOTICE  
Notice on fuel quality  
Do not use improper fuels. If improper fuels are used, the engine will be  
damaged.  
Do not use leaded gasoline.  
Leaded gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic  
converters causing the emission control system to malfunction.  
Do not use gasohol other than the type previously stated.  
Other gasohol may cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance  
problems.  
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane number or rating lower than the  
level previously stated will cause persistent heavy knocking.  
At worst, this will lead to engine damage.  
Fuel-related poor driveability  
If poor driveability is encountered after using a different type of fuel (poor hot  
starting, vaporization, engine knocking, etc.), discontinue the use of that type  
of fuel.  
When refueling with gasohol  
Take care not to spill gasohol. It can damage your vehicle’s paint.  
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