tonyilao11
New member
ive got a 2001 4runner and the title pretty much explains my question
best fuel efficient gas for my 2001 4runner
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Martinjmpr
New member
Lowest octane you can run without knocking. I run 85 in mine all the time.
(85 is the high-altitude equivalent of 87. At sea level 87 is "regular", here 87 is "mid-grade" and 89 is "premium.")
(85 is the high-altitude equivalent of 87. At sea level 87 is "regular", here 87 is "mid-grade" and 89 is "premium.")
Martinjmpr
New member
Octane = Resistance to burning/combustion.
High performance cars have high-compression engines. High compression results in high temperatures which can lead to pre-ignition (i.e. knocking.)
So unless you have a high-compression engine you don't need premium gas.
It would be like if you saw a Ferrari going 200mph and it was painted red. Would you assume that if you painted your 4runner red it would go 200mph? No, it's the same with premium gas - just because fast cars need premium gas, it doesn't mean that premium gas is "better" or will make your 4runner faster or more efficient.
It's the high compression that makes fast cars fast, not the premium gas.
The idea that premium gas is "better" is one of the most pernicious myths out there.
brian2sun
Elite Member
My owner's manual says "use only 87 or higher octane gasoline". I also live at altitude, but we don't have 85 octane anywhere in CA. I have never heard that 85 turns into the equivalent of 87 at altitude (not that it isn't true, I've just never heard that before). I personally would not put 85 in my 4runner - but that's only because of that statement in my manual.
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Blackdot
New member
I also live at elevation, 6000+ feet, and our lowest grade fuel is 85. i have been told also by many people that 85 at elevation is just like 87. Though i have no evidence of how and why 85 is all i use and my truck runs great. 20 to 24 mpgs on a regular basis. i live in a small town so i drive like a grandma plus i have a 5speed and lots of coasting to lights.
Nunyabiz
New member
Unless you have high compression then no need for anything over 87 octane.
My old Baja Bug had a nice 1835cc engine VW racing heads, my compression was something like 9.5:1 or somewhere around there if I remember correctly, was almost 30 years ago.
But I used the highest octane I could get my hands on then, usually went to the airport for 105 octane or the boat fuel dock for 101 octane, she ran like a bat outa hell then. But I "needed" 97+ octane for it to run smoothly.
Best thing you can do for MPG as far as gas goes is use 87 octane and a fuel additive that keeps your engine clean.
I run Lucas in a tank once in awhile and also the Amsoil PI additive once in awhile.
AMSOIL - P.i. Performance Improver (API)
My old Baja Bug had a nice 1835cc engine VW racing heads, my compression was something like 9.5:1 or somewhere around there if I remember correctly, was almost 30 years ago.
But I used the highest octane I could get my hands on then, usually went to the airport for 105 octane or the boat fuel dock for 101 octane, she ran like a bat outa hell then. But I "needed" 97+ octane for it to run smoothly.
Best thing you can do for MPG as far as gas goes is use 87 octane and a fuel additive that keeps your engine clean.
I run Lucas in a tank once in awhile and also the Amsoil PI additive once in awhile.
AMSOIL - P.i. Performance Improver (API)
Shawn5800
New member
When in doubt, read the manual. I tend to trust the engineers at Toyota since you know...They design the engine and know EXACTLY whats put into it and what it needs lol. My manual says run 87 or higher, thats exactly what i do. Never more than 87 Octane and she runs like a champ, tried 93 once and would never do it again. I saw no positives, only the negative more $$$
