Engine Fuel 2020 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our 2020 test we compared 2 engine fuel options head to head. 91 octane no ethanol gasoline came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
91 octane no ethanol gasoline
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
TruFuel
Price shown in test: $20 per gallon
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“Engineered fuel performs about the same as 91 octane no ethanol fuel, and it definitely seems really overpriced.”
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
All measurements (6 more)+
Ethanol content verification
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline
confirmed no ethanol content using a water separation tester
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance package
confirmed no ethanol content using a water separation tester, consistent with TruFuel's ethanol free claim
Lubrication and wear scar test, 40 ml sample, 30 second run
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline
wear scar was about 7 percent larger than TruFuel's, so TruFuel provided slightly better lubrication than this gasoline
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance packageabout7 percent
smaller wear scar than the no ethanol gasoline, providing extra lubrication as claimed
1 hour engine burn and carbon buildup test
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline
engine ran great, left a small amount of deposits on the piston, valves, and cylinder head, less buildup than TruFuel left afterward
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance package
engine ran just as well as on gasoline, but left a little more buildup on the spark plug, cylinder head, and around the valves than the no ethanol gasoline
Fuel efficiency, fuel injected generator under a 2,370W halogen light load
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline
engine ran 22 minutes 44 seconds total, about 1 percent better fuel efficiency than TruFuel
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance package
engine ran 22 minutes 22 seconds total, about 1 percent less fuel efficient than the no ethanol gasoline
Flame pattern in a see through cylinder head engine
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline
blue flame starting over the piston, gradually becoming bright orange and yellow
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance package
flame pattern looked very similar to the no ethanol gasoline
Timed uphill drag run in the Farmabago
- 191 octane no ethanol gasoline58 mph
- 2TruFuel 4 cycle engineered fuel, TF3 performance package58 mph
tied with the no ethanol gasoline on speed, though the host jokingly called it the winner of the exhaust note contest
How it was tested
- ethanol content verification via water separation tester
- lubrication and wear scar test using a 40 ml sample
- 1 hour engine burn and carbon buildup comparison with compression checks
- fuel efficiency test in a fuel injected generator under load
- flame pattern comparison in a see through cylinder head engine
- timed uphill drag run in the Farmabago
“Engineered fuel performs about the same as 91 octane no ethanol fuel, and it definitely seems really overpriced.”
More Fuel & Additives
Which Fuel Stabilizer (plus A Separate 1-year Headlight Restoration Kit Durability Check-in) Brand Wins?
Sta-Bil
See the results
Which Diesel Anti Gel Fuel Additive Brand Wins?
Hot Shot's Secret
See the results
Which Gasoline Octane Grade Brand Wins?
87 Octane
See the results