pwanghk

Greetings:

The Toyota dealer customer service rep (the person who show you the how to operate the car, warranty, go over some document etc at delivery time) told me that it is recommended to use Regular unleaded; however, the owner manual recommend Premium unleaded. So who is right? Personally, I always use Premium for my Camry and Altima. So I don't know if there will be any difference for an SUV.

My driving type is mostly highway and local, no off-road or towing.

Your insight thought or additional comment is greatly appreciated.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Octane was a poll last week and here is the link:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...light=gasoline

You might try the "flashing green button of death" above to find more helpful information regarding fuel octane levels. From an engineering standpoint, I think it is all a scam to make people pay more money for gas that really does few engines any good. To increase the performance and eficiency of an ordinary engine there really isn't a whole lot of lattitude with the octane level, not enough to make a significant difference. The only way to significantly increase performance and efficiency levels for ordinary gasoline engines would be to add lead again, but that ain't going to happen for obvious reasons.

I just burn plain old 87 octane. I have got to have gas, so I just swipe the credit card, fill it up, and go about my way and pay the bill at the end of the month. I couldn't even tell you what I paid for gas the last time I bought it.

My 0.02

AznSky

i go for 87 cuz I'm poor

4runner4ever

95 octane. A few pumps still have 98. Both work fine but I notice a small powerloss and a higher consumption with 91.
I also don't want to know what a full tank costs. I paid 1.14 Euro for a liter this week. That's 4.32 $ a gallon for 95 octane.

SLC Punk

I get 91 octane (premium here). But that's so I won't ping..

Jonathan

87 Octane here and it runs like a champ

Good Times

Just use regular 87 octane.

If you get a supercharger or want additional HP then use 91/92 octane but other than that, just save your $$ on mods!

EDGE

Im guessing you got a 03/04 4Runner, V6 or V8 does not really matter cause they both use regular 87 octane, reread your owners manual cause it does not recommend Premium, it recommends regular 87 and for added performance Premium can be used.

I've used both and since I drive with a lead foot I only noticed my gas consumption increase with premium, with regular it runs the same and does better MPG wise.

Please amuse me and tell me you have both a V6 Camry and a V6 Altima cause if your running Premium in to 4bangers I need an explaination why, I know on Altimas.net the V6 guys are big on premium but 4bangers run regular, the compression ratio is like 8, 10 and above need premium

Mike06

..another 87 here.

Jason B

87

Rick F.

I typically use 87, but occassionally will alternate between 87 and 89 when I notice some pinging. If I know I'm going to be towing, I'll fill up with 89 or 91 ahead of time. I tend to notice a very minor performance increase with the higher octane, but that could either be a real "seat-of-the-pants" sensation or just in my head.

rwmorrisonjr

Pre-Supercharger: Regular (85)

Post-Supercharger: Premium (91)

Year and engine would be a big help in this.

The Dutch Man

Down the street Bj's Wholesale Club just put in a gas station. I'm using 93 in my 03 V8. Despite what everyone says, the 93 gives me better pep getting on the highway and better gas mileage. I calculate the gas mileage every week. I average about 16 mpg city/hwy all week. On straight highway shots at 80 mph I'll pull 18-19 mpg. Pretty amazing for the V8! I used the 87 octane for a couple weeks and I pulled a little over 15 mpg during a normal week. So for me, the 93 works. Plus, it's only $1.61 here locally. Much cheaper than other parts of the country.

tom4416

As someone already mentioned, the owners manual says 87 and premium for added performance. Toyota's HP and torque ratings are based upon premium unleaded fuel and the engine compensates for lower octane by retarding the timing and changing the cam timing maps, producing slightly less HP than when on premium. There is an engineering handbook on the V6 engine that shows the HP and torque outputs at various levels of octane and the related changes to the VVTi map and the timing map. My dealer has it but indicated it is not available for purchase (it would take an engineer to understand the thing anyway which leaves me out). Toyota, like all manufacturers, wants to be able to advertise absolute maximum HP and apparently the V6 with its sophisticated valve timing responds better than most autos to the octane differences. Personally, I notice no difference whatsoever unless I'm towing about 2200lbs and then it will downshift less often on premium and gets slightly better gas mileage (<1mpg difference). With a 15% price differential for regular versus premium, it isn't even close to worth it, IMHO.

Vato Loco

94

Bob_98SR5

whatever your manual recommends. for me, thats 87.

bob

BigA

I run 87 at all times. Even when I'm towing with my 3.4 liter. A higher octane rating does not give you more power. In contrast it loses power because when it burns, the combustion isn't as efficient. On newer vehicles there will be a felt increase in power because the the computer will advance the timing. So unless your vehicle requires premium you are wasting money.

Andrew

AgRunner06

I'm running 91 to reduce my ping. Hopefully I can go back to 87 after Friday when I have the Motorvac done.

p00kienrayray

i use 87 too and relieved to find it ok(yes im poor too). but does it really make that much of a difference? i mean if you think about it the 87 and 91 are only 4 levels off right?

toy283

85.