I have a 2003 Limited with the i-force V8 i got a couple months ago.

I have seen conflicting reports of what gas should be used with the 2003 4runner. The manual seems to recommend premium at 91 or above. This review suggests regular gas, http://www.epinions.com/content_87650897540

However this review suggests 91 or above (premium).

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/T...nner/Index.htm

I would rather not use premium if i don't have to, however, i don't want to do that at the sacrafice of performance if it's necessary. Your opinions are appreciated. Thanks.:pat:

 

That's just it, it "recommends" 91, it doesn't require it. It runs just fine at 87. I run 87 along with several other people here. I don't think you'll get any signficant benefit running 91.

 

You may see a slight loss in performance running 87. As knock is detected, timing will be retarded. The only problem is, by that time, knock has already occurred.

Sounds like something I studied in Philosophy class.

 

I run 87, no problems... I have been told, that I am still driving like I own a sports car. There isn't any performance loss and I did fill it up with 93 once just to check.
With gas prices what they are, I'm stinking w/ the 87.

Now, you will/may get a sulfur smell.. That was discussed in an '03 topic in the last few days.

 

I run 87 in both my 03 and my 96. Right now 87 is costing about $2.15 and 91 is about $2.35 here in the SF Bay area. Ugh.

I've had no problem running 87 since I bought it last October. No pinging, even with about 2 gallons of "old" gas that I used in an emergency since I forgot to fill up and ended up at home with almost nothing in the tank except fumes. That was quickly diluted when I filled the tank the next day with no noticible effects.

 

Obviously you guys will do what you want. But there is a reason that the manual recommends premium.

 

if ya plan to spend gas on the 91+, just make sure u give a gallon or two to me

87 is fine, no questions about it... and this applies to the v6 engines as well...

Unless you have $$ coming out of your @ss, it's a waste of $$ considering how much a gallon costs! (sux for those who has to put in 91/92 octane....lol) just save the $$ and use it for upgrading your 4runner!!!

Use it for MODS!!!!

Lance

 

And once you do those mods, you will need to run premium anyway. Back to square one!

 

I have been running 93 in it since i got it...however lately i will occasionally split the difference and put 89 on it. I go to mobil, and they don't have 91. I find that the difference between 87 and 93 when i fill up is usually only a dollar or two at most, so its not that big a deal i guess. If I was saving maybe $10 a tank putting 87 in it then id probably go for that.

 

I'm getting gas up the road for $1.60 (it's the cheapest, good, place in town, everyone else is $1.65)

87 @ 1.60, 23gal= $36.80
92 or 93 @ 1.80, 23gal= $41.40

For a savings of $4.60 (whoohoo !) I fill up once a week (not including road trips, ect ect.)

52wk= +/- $239.20 !

It's subjective if that is a lot of money or not.

*Yea, yea, I know... Nobody ever puts 23gal in their tank and I didn't add the 1.6099.. Sue me.

 

JGage, you're one lucky SOB!!!

Here in Los Angeles, I'm payin $2.02-$2.12ish for regular 87!!! add another 20 cents to that for premium (which I will not touch in a mile unless ya'll want to contribute!! hehe)

I know San Francisco is worse than LA as I've heard it's in the 2.25+ for regular...

I feel for them!!!

bottom line, we bought our trucks cuz we need em! if I was worried gas that much I'd be driving a yamaha r6 or something! hehe

Lance

 

wow, thats high. I pay about 1.90 something in upstate NY, and 1.70 in NJ..thats for 93...however I only fill it up every week or two, because I just drive to school and back, which is only a few miles. After I graduate and start working I will probably be driving more, however right now the difference between 93 and 87 for me is like $2 at the most. I normally put about 15 gallons in at fillup. I guess it all just depends on everyones situation. I owned an Explorer before this which got about the same gas mileage, so I'm used to paying alot for gas....but i definetly love the 4 Runner, so its worth my gas money..

 

I use 87. The manual says that is fine. Figure when I do some towing or driving in the mountains I will use 91. Everyday the cost of gas is higher. The cheapest 76 Station is $2.05, at least it was this morning on my way to work.

 

I appreciate all the replies. I am driving from Oklahoma to Atlanta in the 4runner tommorow. I decided to listen to all of you and split the difference by running 89.

Great Board here. Lot's of good information contained in the other threads i've looked at.

Thanks
4runnerDawg

 

Lower octane is actually better in higher elevations on most engines.