Premium Gas?

[jgeorg]

So my parents are looking for a 4th gen. Here's the catch- my dad thinks it requires premium fuel in the V6. I know, search, but he needs to hear it from the horses mouth. So what fuel is needed in the 4runners?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Gatafly]

No, you do not need to run premium fuel.

 

[jgeorg]

Is it recommended though?

 

[R.A.]

Is it recommended though?

Yes. 87 as a minimum, however, Toyota recommends 91 for improved performance.

From my owner's manual:

OCTANE RATING
Select 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.

 

[JB.]

From the manual:

OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 or higher. For
improved vehicle performance, the use
of premium unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating of 91 or higher is recommended.

 

[jason89i]

someone correct me if im wrong.... but, the owners manual states 89 for the v6's and 87 for the v8's. with only a 1-2 mpg difference between the two engines.

ive had 3 2uz v8's. wonderful motor.

cheers, jason

 

[DC runner]

Short: NO.

Long: NO. I have seen numerous scientific studies, large and small studies and talked to people more knowledgeable about cars than I and the response is always the same. NO. Modern cars in the US all have engines that can run them all. I am trying to dig it up, but in a recent study they found that unless you run a super expensive, luxury car that is tuned for straight performance... there is no need, nor benefit in running higher octane gas. You are throwing money away.

 

[jimithing]

I've always run regular 87 octane. I'll throw in a tank of premium with some seafoam every now and then the make sure everything is nice and clean. But I've had no problems with running on 87.

 

[RickC]

I never run anything but 87 octane. Never have and never will in the 4runner.

 

[808inDenver]

damn i think i been running 85 this whole time.

 

[DC runner]

BC you live in Denver I assume. At the higher altitude, 85 operates as well as 87 or higher. You will find 85 as an option in places with high altitude.

I wouldn't worry.

 

[yeowzer]

I run 85 all the time and I live in Denver. I have yet to see any performance issues.
I have a 08' Limited V8.

 

[sonerick]

Short: NO.

Long: NO. I have seen numerous scientific studies, large and small studies and talked to people more knowledgeable about cars than I and the response is always the same. NO. Modern cars in the US all have engines that can run them all. I am trying to dig it up, but in a recent study they found that unless you run a super expensive, luxury car that is tuned for straight performance... there is no need, nor benefit in running higher octane gas. You are throwing money away.

It's not always super expensive, luxury cars that benefit from running premium fuel. Cars running turbo's have been known to be quite sensitive to octane levels, and using bad gas can severely limit performance.

EDIT: I do agree, however, that running premium fuel in a 4Runner (v6 OR v8) is a waste of money.

 

[S p a r k y]

87 is perfectly fine, most of us run the same. To me this relates to this. "If I want to get drunk, Natural light will get you drunk just like Sam Adams, some like natty better than Sam, some like Sam better, one is more expensive than the other, but both do the same. ;-)

 

[DC runner]

It's not always super expensive, luxury cars that benefit from running premium fuel. Cars running turbo's have been known to be quite sensitive to octane levels, and using bad gas can severely limit performance.

EDIT: I do agree, however, that running premium fuel in a 4Runner (v6 OR v8) is a waste of money.

HA. One more exception that proves the rule. Turbo's by design move the engine measure between performance and longevity towards performance. Any car that is specifically tailored towards performance will be more sensitive. I get that.
99.9 (don't quote me!) of cars on the road in the US made within the past 30 years work just fine on all types of gas.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It's not always super expensive, luxury cars that benefit from running premium fuel. Cars running turbo's have been known to be quite sensitive to octane levels, and using bad gas can severely limit performance.

Exactly.

The Subaru and Mitsubishi turbo cars all require premium but can run all octane ratings but you'll know you have less than premium when you put your foot to the floor and the lower octane rating can show up even in simply extremely hot weather. My '93 Eclipse GSX knew when I ran less than 91 and at the strip it loved the 104 I put in it with higher boost.

If your car doesn't knock with the lowest octane rating then you're fine running it but some cars do see a performance boost from premium but the operator is the one who must decide if the gain is worth the cost of 91+.

 

[Eastcoastrunner]

i had better fuel econ with 91 octance as compared to 87

 

[S p a r k y]

i had better fuel econ with 91 octance as compared to 87

I have heard of this, however the price of higher ends up being higher than the fuel saved. Of course driving conditions and temp make a diff as well. I run high through every once in awhile.

 

[DC runner]

Agreed. That is a separate discussion from what you must run and it comes down to cost. Most places I read found that the price differential between premium destroyed any cost savings from the mpg increase. However, if the price difference falls, it can make sense.

All about cost.

 

[Jerrydog]

Ive never run anything but 87 in any car I've ever had and never had a problem. I did run 93 in my boat because it would diesel a bit when it was super hot at shut off after skiing and tubing for a few hours.