so i've recently purchased an 04 Sport V8, and the salesman told me to use 87 grade fuel, however i have a friend with the same engine in his LX470 and he uses 91, which should i go with? what are other peoples expereinces with different fuel grades?

thanks

 

I have been using 87 octane in my 4Runner, even when driving up in the mountains, and haven't noticed any pinging. 87 octane will be just fine in a new V8.

 

Go with 87, no need to waste your money. I use 91 only because I have a s/c, if I didn't have an s/c I would use 87.

 

I use 91. Live close to sea level. My gas mileage has been pretty good though 15-16 in town, and 20-21 on the highway 75-80 mph normally. Real mileage not the incorrect computer on the dash of the 4Runner.

 

If ya got $$ to burn, then go w/ 91 but otherwise 87 is fine. You won't notice any differences at all so you might as well save the $$. The computer will adjust accord to your fuel so no worries for pinging. If you have a SC or plan to do alot of performance mods, then upgrading the fuel is recommended.

As for why the lexus ones uses the 91, probably because it's a lexus and they have $$ to burn? I dunno....

 

I was recommended by the dealer to use 93 octane, and I thought it also recommended in the manuel. Either way, it's all I've used. Though if I lived in Cali, I might reconsider!

 

The manual does say "for increased performance use high oct..." I have been running 87 and all has been well. Even went to Tahoe and there was no pinging. I just ran a tank of Chevron 91 through it though and got a 2mpg increase in mileage over the tank. I and trying a few more just to see if it really makes a difference.

Out here in CA 91 is about $.30/gallon more than 87. There are many variables here but if you are getting about 16mpg and paying $2.05/gallon for 87 ($41/tank) you would need to increase your mileage to 18.35mpg to spend the same $41/tank for the $2.35/gallon 91 oct out here. Basically you need just under 2.5 mpg increase to get 91 to pay for itself.

20 gallons @ $2.05/gl = $41/tank @ 16mpg gives a range of 320 miles
17.44 gallons @ $2.35/gl = $41/tank which requires 18.34 mpg to get the same 320 mile range

 

Does the V8 have dual knock sensors? If so, if you go by what the manual says, it appears the ecu will retard the timing on 87 vs. 91 (due to ping)which yes, will decrease the engine's performance. Just an observation.

 

All the new engines come w/ a knock sensor to retard the system to ensure the engine doesn't break due to the owners errors. So 87 or 91 should not be a problem.

The only problem you run into is when the engine specifically needs 91 and you add 87 then you're in for a world of hurt but even at that it'll just ping like crazy.