Octane

[snowjay]

In my 04 owners manual its says a minimum of 87 octane is needed but 91 can be used for increased performance.

Thats all well and good but I just found another site that lists the 2003 and 04 specs and it says for the 2003 V6 91 was required and in 2004 its recommended which is a contradiction to what my owners manual says.

So what are you guys running? and why is 91 required for the 03 models and only recommended for the 04's?

 

[sharp4runr]

Go by your owners manual. The V6 can take 87 but 91 is recommended for increased performance. I usually put 87 but every couple of fills I treat my baby to a dose of 91. I know putting 91 doesn't add gas mileage or anything like that, I just like to throw money away and treat my baby every once in a while...

 

[jharris2]

why is 91 required for the 03 models and only recommended for the 04's?

It's not required for 2003 models, either -- there are several threads that discuss the topic if you want to go into the detail.

 

[snowjay]

oh ok. I guess the web site I was looking at had the specs wrong then. Didn't make sense to me. I'll do a search thanks.

 

[dcampen]

87 octane

I have been putting 87 octane in mine and haven't noticed any pinging even when I took it up into the mountains.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

87 octane since new

No problems after 5 and a half months. I know it only amounts to a few dollars per fillup to go with higher octane, but $3-$6 more depending on how much gas I use is a lot of money over a year.
It doesn't knock or ping, and I don't tow heavy loads, so why bother? All the gas at the station has additives in it anyway. The higher octane fuel is just less explosive than lower octane fuel, which is what prevents pre-detonation. This is important for engines with higher compression ratios.
In fact I haven't owned a vehicle, except my motorcycle, which required higher octane.
If your particular vehicle pings under acceleration or load, then start using a higher octane, otherwise save your dough.
Can you believe that I know people who put premium fuel in their lawn equipment?? They just don't get it...

 

[Thai]

Interesting threads to read:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=306&highlight=fuel+grade

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=683&highlight=fuel+grade

Hope this helps.

 

[snowjay]

Thanks for the links.

Just proves there will always be debate over octane.

I just wonder where the web site I was looking at got their info that said 03's require 91, when as we've seen here the owners manuals read like the 04's.

 

[Good Times]

PS, 91 is required w/ those who have the SC installed. So maybe you didn't read the details on the spec on the engine first?!?

Either way, I've been running 87 and I'm about 25k strong now w/ no problems what so ever

 

[snowjay]

Nope I read it correctly.

Here is the link:

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist4.html

 

[Good Times]

if you read the pdf correctly, it'll say "recommended"

 

[snowjay]

Yeah i see that... damn typo!!! :50cal:

 

[Good Times]

I believe toyota has been doing that for other vehicles too besides the 4runner.

I do think that the LC had something like this in their manuals. Kinda confusing but in the end, 87/91... it's all the same unless you're going after the high performance stuff....

 

[EDGE]

I remember reading a thread on edmunds where a guy said he bought a Honda Pilot over the 4Runner cause it took regular, LMAO

I use 87: dealers fill the cars up with 87 when you get them, the ECU retards the timing, I always laugh cause cars that probably need premium are getting regular and then ricers pull in and put 93 into civics that are about as powerful as riding lawnmowers.

It be kinda cool to go back to the old days where cars let you know when they needed higher octane