Start switching to 87 octane gas.

[linhsy]

Yesterday is my first time to use 87 octane gas for my 4Runner. Before that, I always use 93 octane gas. The reason for switching to another lower octane gas is the high gas price. At my area, 93 octane gas is $2.58/g. I know it's nothing comparing to California. However, filling up a tank cost more than $50 is too much for me. I'm planning to keep $200/month on gas.

I haven't noticed any knocking or slow start on the engine yet. I am thinking about getting two 87 octane and one 93 octane cycle.

 

[IIIBradIII]

I was told by my service manager when I bought mine that any octane rating was fine (well, the normal ones of course), but the important item was to pick one and stick with it.

Apparently, the engine adjusts itself based on the fuel it gets, and changing octanes makes it have to readjust after every fillup.

I don't know if this is specific to my 05 V8 with VVTI or not, but what he said makes sense.

 

[linhsy]

This is what I'm thinking : Getting 93 octane after two 87 octane fillup will help the engine to burn all the "dirty" from the 87 octane. It's just my opinion.

 

[IIIBradIII]

Well it's your truck but I'd recommend a call to your local service manager before starting that regimen. You may actually hurt your mileage by doing so and spoil all those savings you'll get by buying the cheaper gas.

I run 100% 87 octane btw.

 

[Northof49]

This is what I'm thinking : Getting 93 octane after two 87 octane fillup will help the engine to burn all the "dirty" from the 87 octane. It's just my opinion.

Why not run mid grade (89-91) all the time instead? In all honesty tho, if you are not noticing any decreased performance with 87, it would be fine to run it all of the time.....many do.

Unless you regularily are towing heavy loads up steep mountain passes in very high heat/humidity....93 is overkill for 99.99999% of driving in any 4Runner.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah I've been running premium only because it has a lower sulfur content. The last two tanks I've switched to regular becuase of the gas prices and I've noticed that the sulfur smell is returning. I'll suffer through the sulfur smell to save a few bucks right now, but I'll switch back to premium when gas prices drop.

 

[linhsy]

No Towing for me. I'm just driving a lot lately and my credit card is getting thinner especially for the vacation time. I used to pump the gas at any convienence locations. Now, I have to start looking for cheaper gas one. I don't have the sulfur issue. Once in a while I want to start fast at the stop light and that's when I may need the 93 octane.

 

[T4RMatt]

I use 87 all of the time. You would never be able to tell the difference in acceleration unless you had special testing equipment. At any rate, the difference would probably only be around 1 to 2 tenths of a second difference to 60mph. Just my $.02.

 

[sharp4runr]

At any rate, the difference would probably only be around 1 to 2 tenths of a second difference to 60mph. Just my $.02.

"Ask any racer, any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning!" Vin Diesel - FnF :

 

[Sac State]

I've never used 87 octane in mine at 39K miles. Why not try 89 as mentioned? I switched to 89 and occassionally pump 93 when it fluctuates below $2.30.

If you stick with 87 check out:

www.toptiergas.com

some 87 discount gas is actually bad for your engine. There are no detergents in gas from places such as Costco, Sam's, etc. This will lead to varnish deposits in your intake.

 

[linhsy]

I raced couple times at the stop light. I haven't lost yet since most of the dudes was underestimated the 4Runner speed. I normally set it to gear "3" as the end of its power, I shift it to gear "D", I feel like I just add a jet engine. . I'm only racing 50-100 yards at most. Never want to race longer.

 

[linhsy]

I've never used 87 octane in mine at 39K miles. Why not try 89 as mentioned? I switched to 89 and occassionally pump 93 when it fluctuates below $2.30.

If you stick with 87 check out:

www.toptiergas.com

some 87 discount gas is actually bad for your engine. There are no detergents in gas from places such as Costco, Sam's, etc. This will lead to varnish deposits in your intake.

Thanks Sac State for the info,

around my area, we don't have costco/sam pump gas stations. I normall use the Exxon, Shell, Mobil, Sunoco. I think I'll be ok with 87 octane for the rest of summer.

 

[a4passata6]

I believe my 2005 manual states something like, for best performance use 91 octane or higher.

Am I right?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I buy my gas at pretty much the same staion all the time and I always use the bigger brands when I fill up,mostly Conoco and I never use grocery store gas.

 

[linhsy]

I believe my 2005 manual states something like, for best performance use 91 octane or higher.

Am I right?

You are right.

 

[Northof49]

I believe my 2005 manual states something like, for best performance use 91 octane or higher.

Am I right?

Every manual since the beginning of time says that

 

[a4passata6]

Every manual since the beginning of time says that

I'm not so sure.

My last car was a 2001 VW Passat and the manual REQUIRED 91 or higher. In fact, European Car magazine did a test using the 1.8T motor that came in that car and showed better gas mileage and more power from 91 octane fuel. Actually measured it on a dyno.

Let me see if I can find it online.

 

[Northof49]

I'm not so sure.

My last car was a 2001 VW Passat and the manual REQUIRED 91 or higher. In fact, European Car magazine did a test using the 1.8T motor that came in that car and showed better gas mileage and more power from 91 octane fuel. Actually measured it on a dyno.

Let me see if I can find it online.

Yes yes yes, no reason to overcomplicate things I believe you 100%.

What I was reffering to, was that car manuals that specify 87 octane will nearly always (eg. all Toyota, Honda, and BMW books do) tell you "minimum 87 octane.....for optimal performance or in extreme conditions (something along those lines) higher octane can be used.

Basically, they just want to tell you that it will run fine on 87, but that you can't hurt it, and may see slight benifts by putting in higher octane."

It's well known that most German cars, particularily VW's, run like ass on 87. As many others and myself have said, the increase in performance in the case of 4Runner's during normal driving is negligable.

 

[a4passata6]

Yes yes yes, no reason to overcomplicate things I believe you 100%.

What I was reffering to, was that car manuals that specify 87 octane will nearly always (eg. all Toyota, Honda, and BMW books do) tell you "minimum 87 octane.....for optimal performance or in extreme conditions (something along those lines) higher octane can be used.

Basically, they just want to tell you that it will run fine on 87, but that you can't hurt it, and may see slight benifts by putting in higher octane.

It's well known that most German cars, particularily VW's, run like ass on 87.

That's the truth. I think it mostly has to do with knock sensors. If your engine is not being held back by knock sensor function you can probably safely use 87 or 89. My issue, I guess, would be knowing when your knock sensors are detecting knock and reducing power. I think with the new motors, if the knock sensors are working properly, you should very rarely or never actually here the old-fashioned knock we are used to in older cars.

We argee, I just wish it was explained more clearly in the manual. It almost seems like Toyota is saying, "Use 87, it will be fine but if it makes you feel better about yourself, use 91."

Maybe I am making too much of a big deal about it.

 

[Sac State]

That's the truth. I think it mostly has to do with knock sensors. If your engine is not being held back by knock sensor function you can probably safely use 87 or 89. My issue, I guess, would be knowing when your knock sensors are detecting knock and reducing power. I think with the new motors, if the knock sensors are working properly, you should very rarely or never actually here the old-fashioned knock we are used to in older cars.

We argee, I just wish it was explained more clearly in the manual. It almost seems like Toyota is saying, "Use 87, it will be fine but if it makes you feel better about yourself, use 91."

Maybe I am making too much of a big deal about it.

Running 89, I can hear the pinging being retarded as I gas the engine. Never fully pings, as I can hear the ping being adjusted by the ignition. It doesn't sound like any Ford I have ever owned, which are notorious for pinging.