This may seem like a stupid question, but this was the one thing in the Prius Owner's Manual that made my heart stop.<br><br>Does anyone know if it's relatively easy to buy "California cleaner burning [low sulpher] gasoline (CBG)" _outside_ of California?<br><br>The manual strongly cautions against using non-CBG gas in the CA SULEV Prius, and says damage will result if non-CBG gas is used.<br><br>I assume, perhaps falsely, that all CA gas stations already sell nothing but CBG gas, but maybe not?<br><br>If CBG gas is available out-of-state, how does one know for sure -- is there a certifying "CBG" (or "low sulpher") sticker on the gas pump? Or, for example, do all Chevron stations sell this gas throughout the US and Canada?<br><br>Likewise, on the same page in the manual, it says not to use gas that contains "MMT" or damage may result.<br><br>(Next time I'm at a gas station I'll have to look more closely at the info on the side of the pump!)<br><br>- Peter

From what I've read, MMT is used in only .02% of the nations fuel according to the EPA. BUT, it is used widely in Canada??<br><br>CBG gas, known officially as California Reformulated Gasoline, is the fuel that contains MTBE. Now, I'm worried..<br><br>Someone, please, tell me that this is not going to be a problem, since I drive EVERYWHERE, including in Canada!!

This is a problem not just for the Prius,but all cars with California emissions packages(LEV and above as found on the under hood tune-up label).California is the only state that mandates the use of CBG(Phase 2 RFG) which has the sulfur content controlled so as not to exceed 30 ppm(parts per million)on a average with 80 ppm as a cap(other wise sulfur can be 1000 ppm in other states).Sulfur levels higher than 30 ppm could present performance concerns. Sulfur is present in crude oil and is controlled in the refining process. Sulfur in gas can diminish the effectiveness of a catalytic converter increasing the level of oxides of nitrogen(NOx)in the exhaust. The high sulfur may cause engine preformance concerns and sulfur odor (rotten egg smell)from exhaust. This has caused some problems with some of the Honda Insights setting off check engine lights and replacement of the oxygen sensors.Honda does not have a solution as of yet.In Japan the gas is also very low in sulfur by regulation,so it a problem not designed for and testing did not discover.

I've Emailed a request for more information on this topic to Toyota, to the CA Air Resources Board, and to the Union of Concerned Scientists. The latter was very helpful previously with another Prius-related question. I'll post any replies I get here. Stay tuned.<br><br>- Peter

For what it's worth, here's the reply I just received from the CA Air Resources Board. The gist seems to be "You're on your own outside of CA." It will be interesting to see what response I get from Toyota & the UCS. (My original questions appear below).<br>