Octane if towing

This is on my Ridgeline. I was towing my car down to New Jersey Motor Sports. One the way down I put Premium (93)in to see if there was a difference. I used the entire tank on the way down. On the way home, I used Regular (87). I got half the distance and had to refuel.

My hypothesis is that the Regular must have caused knocking. Maybe the computer retarded the timing, which knocked the bottom out of performance and gas mileage.

Or maybe NJ is uphill to NY

Has anyone tried different octane and noticed a difference?

 

NY is mostly higher in elevation than NJ...I would assume very little had to do with the octane and more with the surface profile on the route...Higher octane does help, but not an incredible amount on N/A vehicles...

 

Yes, higher octane gets you better mpg, but not anywhere near 50% better as your hypothesis suggests. much more to do with terrain, elevation, wind, etc.

 

https://autoweek.com/video/video-fuel-octane-rating-and-additives-explained

Pretty good video about this stuff on the chrisfix channel via youtube.com

 

If I remember right, the Honda recommends using premium when towing with the RL. My guess is you were a victim of wind and terrain... and maybe the pump shut off too early and you weren’t really full? When I used to drive from Buffalo NY to Albany to see family, I’d always get 3-4 MPG better driving East to Albany. Coming back west, of course, I was generally driving in to the prevailing winds... maybe terrain too. ThTs what I always figured at least.

 

There would have to be a massive energy density difference between the two fuels, which there isn't. If there was, we'd all be buying premium because it would pay for itself. The Ridgeline is new enough to know the difference in octane, so you're being hit by terrain and wind differences. Even a slight uphill or downhill will make a big difference in MPGs.

 

Worth watching. Thanks!

 

I did not check the exact miles. But to the point you are making, it may not be 50%. I would have to agree. Plus gas was cheaper in NJ than NY. So I may have seem I was using more gas and filled up in NJ. But the point I made is supported by the video, the regular gas caused knocking under the load of the heavy car trailer and car. It retarded the timing and thus less MPG and less performance.

 

You are 100% correct.

 

I’m going to have to ask. Why are you using your Ridgeline to tow a car when you have a perfectly good Tundra that is made for it? I don’t imagine gas mileage was much better with the car behind the Ridgeline.

 

I ordered my 2020 Tundra last week. It should be here late Feb 2020 or March 2020. The Ridgeline trans went at 100,000 and now, at 211,000 I feel it slipping again. So, while I considered the Ridgeline Black edition, the 5,000 tow limit may be exceeded. That also ruled out a Tacoma. I have a Corolla XRS now and went with a Toyota due to reliability and towing capacity.

 

What are you towing. With my open trailer I have to remove or adjust my aero foil on my car to get better mileage. And yes, elevation makes difference even.

 

I have JB Enterprise Trailer and I pull my car to various tracks like NJMS and Lime Rock (I miss Bridgehampton). I also tow my 17 foot Proline from Mount Sinai to Montauk.

 

I have gotten as much as 2.3 MPG difference on a 200 mile drive depending on the wind direction. I drive mostly north south this time of year when headed to hunting ranch. Wind can make a big difference but temperature can do. I will average almost 1 mpg less in cold temps.

 

I still use 87 when towing and have had no issues and it pulls great. On average I get 10-11 towing mpgs for the most part.

EDIT: I have no idea with a Ridgeline just read the title and assumed you meant the Tundra.