So what exactly happens if you run Premium in a 4Runner?

[2021nightshade4x4]

After so many tanks, will the vehicle “attempt” to advance timing a little further?

Curious if there is any benefit to doing this or zero reason to try it.


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[badattitude]

I use premium exclusively, 91 pure gas. I believe the Dual VVT does adjust the timing. To protect the engine it takes about 1000 miles of consistent premium gas for the ECM to make the full adjustment. If you use one tank of of 87 octane the ECM adjusts back (retards) the timing immediately and you'd need another 1000 miles of premium to regain the ecm timing adjustment. Im not sure this is 100% accurate but it is what I've pieced together. My truck is fast! I'm getting 18.9 MPGs all summer.

 

[thennen]

Your wallet is a little lighter.

 

[BorotHex]

I’ve heard semi-credible sources say 15 hp gain on 91-93, but Toyota would likely disclose that. But in the back of my mind I can’t help but wonder if Toyota doesn’t say anything due to CAFE requirements, or if the 4Runner image is being portrayed as a vehicle that is tough and runs on regular. In theory, it should make more.

 

[1jzgte]

I use premium exclusively, 91 pure gas. I believe the Dual VVT does adjust the timing. To protect the engine it takes about 1000 miles of consistent premium gas for the ECM to make the full adjustment. If you use one tank of of 87 octane the ECM adjusts back (retards) the timing immediately and you'd need another 1000 miles of premium to regain the ecm timing adjustment. Im not sure this is 100% accurate but it is what I've pieced together. My truck is fast! I'm getting 18.9 MPGs all summer.

did you actually read somewhere that it takes 1000 miles? I tend to run my tank pretty low before i fill up and i notice a difference after a couple tanks. I can definitely feel a difference but its a very small minute difference that most folks will NOT notice.

 

[gijonny1ea]

Your wallet is a little lighter.

I use a card. Mass not effected.

#science

 

[downshift]

Timing is controlled by a map in the ECU. There's a max advance for any given place on the map. That max can be decreased if pinging is detected. If you are at max advance on 87 octane, meaning the engine is not pinging, then increasing the octane won't get you any more timing advance.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

It's like a liquid supercharger. I'm able to put bus lengths on Tesladerps.

 

[trey99ek]

I use premium exclusively, 91 pure gas. I believe the Dual VVT does adjust the timing. To protect the engine it takes about 1000 miles of consistent premium gas for the ECM to make the full adjustment. If you use one tank of of 87 octane the ECM adjusts back (retards) the timing immediately and you'd need another 1000 miles of premium to regain the ecm timing adjustment. Im not sure this is 100% accurate but it is what I've pieced together. My truck is fast! I'm getting 18.9 MPGs all summer.

I get 18+mpg on 87. I'll save my money.

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[thennen]

I use a card. Mass not effected.

#science

The number in your bank account gets smaller or bigger, depending on whether you used a credit or debit account.

 

[thennen]

I get 18+mpg on 87. I'll save my money.

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Agreed. I'm averaging 21.5, mostly rural driving, very little city.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I use a card. Mass not effected.

#science

There are some stations that thought the “next step” was to begin accepting cash at the pump.

#Spinx


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[gijonny1ea]

I get 18+mpg on 87. I'll save my money.

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That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[BorotHex]

I run 91, stock tires at 35 psig instead of 32, and get 22+ mixed driving. I do not sit around idling ever though.

I deleted photos of my dash showing 23+ over the entire tank, but it’s true. I do not drive slow, but for whatever reason I always get better than everyone else. I was a hypermiler when I was a teenager so maybe it stuck with me.

 

[08TxRunner]

I use premium exclusively, 91 pure gas. I believe the Dual VVT does adjust the timing. To protect the engine it takes about 1000 miles of consistent premium gas for the ECM to make the full adjustment. If you use one tank of of 87 octane the ECM adjusts back (retards) the timing immediately and you'd need another 1000 miles of premium to regain the ecm timing adjustment. Im not sure this is 100% accurate but it is what I've pieced together. My truck is fast! I'm getting 18.9 MPGs all summer.

Lol. I would love to see the source of this info.

Our truck does not have an inline octane sensor like some GM vehicles have. As already mentioned, it has knock sensors that will back off timing if pinging occurs. But it does not have the opposite, the ability to increase timing because it "senses" higher octane.

 

[spartacus]

I run 91, stock tires at 35 psig instead of 32, and get 22+ mixed driving. I do not sit around idling ever though.

I deleted photos of my dash showing 23+ over the entire tank, but it’s true. I do not drive slow, but for whatever reason I always get better than everyone else. I was a hypermiler when I was a teenager so maybe it stuck with me.

It has nothing to do with octane. It's your driving style or may be where you drive is at an higher elevation.

 

[1jzgte]

my Vtech kicks in way harder with 91

 

[fkheath]

After so many tanks, will the vehicle “attempt” to advance timing a little further?

Curious if there is any benefit to doing this or zero reason to try it.


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Only engines with higher compression ratios need higher octane gas; the 4Runner is not one of those. Thus there will be no difference in power, or fuel economy.

However, it is more important to use Top Tier Gas as recommended by Toyota and shown in the latest owners manuals (TOP TIER™ Gasoline Brands). Top tier gas has more cleaners in it than fuel that is not top tier, thus your engine will be cleaner, on the inside.

 

[BorotHex]

It has nothing to do with octane. It's your driving style or may be where you drive is at an higher elevation.

I did not say it was because of octane.

Thanks!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

From a Toyota tech. Premium gas vs. Regular Whats really better for your car? - YouTube