I know… been beaten to death. The 4r’s ecu doesn’t take advantage of premium fuel so it is a waste of money.

On a whim I decided to try a tank. My biggest frustration with the truck is that I have to downshift to make it up a slight grade on the highway heading to work. Drive it every day.

I swear the truck feels like it has more low end torque with premium. Less downshifting, same roads same speed.

And the ecu reported gas mileage is also at least 1mog better.

My rational brain thinks I am imagining things. Can’t be happening based on what we have been told about the ecu.

YMMV


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use cruise control

But does the +1mpg gain offsets the higher fuel cost?

Oh heck no. I am just surprised by the perceived additional low end torque.


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How does using cruise control change the fact it needed to downshift to maintain 60/65mph up a grade? Plus it being dangerous in this scenario (heavy traffic)


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My 2019 runs noticeably better with 93 octain, and when I'm out west at altitude loaded with gear the difference between 87 and 91 octain are very noticeable.

should try diesel next time

Higher octane premium fuel reduces the annoying 'tinging' sound from my engine. Corn additives....sigh.

Ok. Well that may be helpful if you’re ever towing a heavy load to switch to premium.

Using CC reduces the chances that you’re subconsciously manipulating the throttle to avoid downshift.
There’s a spot that I often use to see if it will downshift or not along Hwy 1. Usually it’s something like a small tailwind or a few mphs higher and no downshift.
Unfortunately I found no real improvement from the available 91 octane premium.

I could see how use of cruise control can offer a higher consistency of given inputs if you are A/B testing downshift propensity across different octanes of fuel.

On the flip side, use of CC will trigger a downshift if you’re about to lose even 1 MPH of speed ascending a grade, instead of letting it slip to 63 MPH and stay in 5th.

I don’t think there’s a “right” answer as to what “should” happen as you ascend a grade - personally I like to test how long it can continue lugging uphill before downshifting.

So long as we are keeping an eye on temperatures, getting fluid changes, and not throwing any codes…

Does gear hunting seem worse in 4Runners or Tacomas with the 6 speed? IIRC 5th is 0.75 and [if there is a] 6th [it] is a 0.66 reduction.


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Hold my beer


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Drivability is improved very slightly. Mpg? No difference. I’d rather put my money on premium fuel than an intake system.

Good question. Our RAV4 has a 6 speed and up/downshifting is barely noticeable in comparison to the 4R.
Lugging my 4R transmission in 5th on a grade will quickly bump ATF temps over 200°

I will see if my scan tool can monitor the same, and report back!


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