thunderunner

Hey Yalls,

Ever since i purchased my 02 4runner SR5 last year, i've been using Chevron gas in my baby. I heard in the past that premium and regular unleaded gas makes no measureable difference. However, I beg to differ.

Since last month, I notice my runner wasn't running smooth as before. So i opted to use premium 91 octane gas. During the past month, i've noticed that i get better mileage and performance.

I used to average about 290 miles per tank, now i get about 310 miles per tank on premium unleaded. Not to mention, I get better performance in acceleration and overall speed. I have about 10K miles on my runner and better gas is making a difference already.

Have you noticed the difference?

nags

I was just coming on here to post asking if anyonethought it really made a difference... I'm just about outta gas and I'm gonna try some premium. In my previous car (88 camry) there was absolutley no difference.

Jason B

That is normal to get more MPG with premium on the 4runner. I ran it a few times to test it with 92, and each time got 20 more miles to a tank. BUT, the extra few bucks you pay at the pump gets you those extra miles, so you really aren't ahead of the game. You are paying extra to get them.

I didn't notice any perf gain on mine.

RTdawgs

i think the performance gains are in your head.

the best way to measure this data it to have someone fill up gas for you and not tell you which octane is in there and drive normally and collect data, do this for all 3 levels and 2 tanks each. this way, your driving styles arent bias.

thunderunner

i tend to stick with the same brand gasoline to measure the difference. furthermore, difference brand have different crude oil processing methods... so all gasoline are not created equal. in adddition, the octane numbers are there for a reason.

I've been a chevron user for a long time... i used to drive a 96 honda accord b4 i bought my 4runner and never had loss of power or mileage during my 6 years of ownership...

putting in premium gas can make ur wallet thinner alot faster, but i think your runner deserves the best once a month at the least. but to get best result, using premium gas consecutively is key and should a notice a difference. or atleast i did.

Jeff

Ya gotta check your $$ per tankfull. The higher octane may not be worth the extra mileage.

Just for ease of calculations:

10 gals of regular @ $1.25 = $12.50......say you get 300 miles per 10 gals. 12.50 / 300miles = .0416 cents per mile.


10 gals of hi-octane @ $1.35 = $13.50..... say you get 320 miles per 10 gals. 13.50 / 320 = .0421 cents per mile

Which is the better deal ??

I think my calculations are correct. Your mileage may vary.

PhxTRDRunner

Even normally aspirated I saw a difference in power running premium, not to mention I'm sure plugs and whatnot last longer...you are correct that it is probably almost a dead wash, but when you calculate the wear and tear and power, its a no contest for me.


However- if you live in CA, I can completely understand running reg. octane in your na 4runner...:eek: those gas prices are insane!!

Cebby

Regular unleaded is $1.45 or so here. Reg. unleaded is recommended for my 2000 JGC. Costs about the same for fill up as my 93 4R with premium. JGC = 20.5 gal, 4R = 13.5 (?)

thunderunner

I agree with your calculations ...Jeff. However, if it costs the same ...why not opt for the better gas? it runs cleaner in the engine and it boosts the power.

I may be insane buying premium gas for my runner, but it's just a peace of mind...

i've been driving for over 11 years now... and have been through many different types of gasoline and octanes. but nothing beats the purity of higher octane. especially if the cost is same as for regular undleaded.

Jeff

Like I said........your mileage may vary.

Depends on what you want it to do, and your gas prices. Some may not feel the power differences in regular and hi octane. For them, the price per mile would be the decision maker.

I've only been driving for 32 years. Wish I could get a AARP / senior citizen discount on gas !!!!

Tripitz

I have an 03 runner with the V8 with about 1200 miles on it. Premium is only 'recommended' so I've been testing between 93 and 89 (mid grade here). I thought it defiitely drove better with the 93 and I averaged slightly more mpg. I don't think it is measurably better and it doesn't offset the increase of .10 to .15 for premium over the mid grade.

nags

I put some premium in my car today and it definetley feels smoother

jalaber

You really shouldnt use a fuel with a higher octane rating than the manufacturer designed your engine to run at. Saying you can now go 30 miles more per tank really does not mean much. You need to do a proper gas mileage calculation by starting with a full tank, logging the starting and ending mileage, then completely filling the tank. Like the others said, I also believe that any performance gains are negligable on a NA engine and if there were indeed a mileage increase, the cost would offset the benefit.