Is premium fuel crucial?

[NCSCOTT]

My manual says:

"Fuel type:

Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher.
For improved vehicle performance, the
use of premium unleaded gasoline with
an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane
Number 96) or higher is recommended.

My 04 Manual states the same thing.

My 08 manual states "Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher"

The 08 manual does not mention the improved performance.

riverider,
I was in OKC a few months back for training and a couple stations in Mustang had the 100% Gasoline signs out front.

I have been running Premium since day one with my 04 and I also do most of the time in my 08. I have been used to running it for years since my 96 dodge 1500 w/ the 360 had a Mopar performance PCM and "Required" Premium. I traded it for the 04. No matter what the price of fuel is, it is usually no more than $4 more a tank for premium. I feel I get a little bit better mileage and it seems to pull harder in the higher RPMs with the premium. With 87 it seems the VVTI backs out sooner when you get into it. With the K&N Intake I can really hear the timing change when your foots in it.

All that being said. I have run 87 in both and never had an issue. The engine management will adjust fine. If it doesn't there is a problem and the manual states "If you detect heavy knocking even when using the recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Toyota dealer" "However, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal and there is no need for concern."

 

[eremoy]

ok so you say higher octane fuel will produce more horsepower but will it actually be significant and noticeable?

 

[NCSCOTT]

ok so you say higher octane fuel will produce more horsepower but will it actually be significant and noticeable?

Is it significant??? Probably not. Noticeable???? I would like to say it is, but I have no proof other than my driving impressions on my vehicles. Both of which are V6s.

I have never driven a V8. Can't miss what you haven't had.:

 

[slowteg97]

yea being in the north east im sure they are putting ethanol in the mix already for the winter which is whats is most likely hurting my mileage but lkike i said since i so use to paying so much and now that the price is down again payin alittle extra for for plus cant hurt.

 

[riverider]

yea being in the north east im sure they are putting ethanol in the mix already for the winter which is whats is most likely hurting my mileage but lkike i said since i so use to paying so much and now that the price is down again payin alittle extra for for plus cant hurt.

Ethanol is the nasty product that is driving the price of corn higher and higher. Along with the prices of most of our food. The people that are making a lot of money off it are the farmers selling their corn and the people making the nasty Ethanol. Also the repair shops fixing everything that comes in contact with the nasty Ethanol.:bash:

 

[jharris2]

My 04 Manual states the same thing.

My 08 manual states "Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or higher"

Interesting. I've never heard of "Research Octane Number" so I looked it up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Interesting comment:

the octane shown in the United States is 4 to 5 points lower than the same fuel elsewhere: 87 octane fuel, the "regular" gasoline in the US and Canada, is 91-92 in Europe

You learn something new every day!

 

[eremoy]

Is it significant??? Probably not. Noticeable???? I would like to say it is, but I have no proof other than my driving impressions on my vehicles. Both of which are V6s.

I have never driven a V8. Can't miss what you haven't had.:

V8 4runners are so much fun to drive. They got alot of pep for an suv!

 

[NCSCOTT]

V8 4runners are so much fun to drive. They got alot of pep for an suv!

Just keep rubbing it in!!!!!:biggrin2:

 

[Annoyed]

Ethanol is the nasty product that is driving the price of corn higher and higher. Along with the prices of most of our food. The people that are making a lot of money off it are the farmers selling their corn and the people making the nasty Ethanol. Also the repair shops fixing everything that comes in contact with the nasty Ethanol.:bash:

This is being shoved down our throats by the green & conservation lobbies, and since that side of the fence just won the recent election, you can expect it to get worse, with more and more government intervention in the design of automobiles, taxation of fuel, etc.

The thing is, in addition to driving up the cost of our food supplies by burning them in our automobiles, (how intelligent is that?) it takes more energy to produce ethanol than you actually get from it, so looking at the whole picture, ethanol usage actually increases energy use. Go figure. Oh, well, no one ever accused the environmentalists of being rocket scientists.

 

[riverider]

This is being shoved down our throats by the green & conservation lobbies, and since that side of the fence just won the recent election, you can expect it to get worse, with more and more government intervention in the design of automobiles, taxation of fuel, etc.

The thing is, in addition to driving up the cost of our food supplies by burning them in our automobiles, (how intelligent is that?) it takes more energy to produce ethanol than you actually get from it, so looking at the whole picture, ethanol usage actually increases energy use. Go figure. Oh, well, no one ever accused the environmentalists of being rocket scientists.

Like everything it's all about the money. Not ours the little guys and Gals wanting to feed our families and drive a quality running Auto or Truck. It's the BIG money people who control what our leaders do and allow to happen. Hey when I was growing up back in the 50s things were really good. Not implying that Autos and Trucks have not improved but a lot of other things are sure have not improved.:bash: