V-8
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sharp4runr
New member
What does your manual say to put in it? If your manual says to put premium, put premium. If it says premium is "Recommended" then it runs better with premium, but will probably run fine with mid-grade or even regular.
My 4Runner says to regular is fine, but for best performance use premium. Why would I waste my money on premium if regular will work just fine? Your call, your money...
MHO,
July
My 4Runner says to regular is fine, but for best performance use premium. Why would I waste my money on premium if regular will work just fine? Your call, your money...
MHO,
July
ToolmanJohn
New member
Go cheap
Unless you hammer on the engine all the time or require towing heavy loads, it doesn't make a difference in everyday driving. Th electronic controls on all new car engines will automatically adjust the engine ignition timing and fuel mixture to prevent pinging and detonation.
Every car sold in the USA is required to run on the lowest octane fuel available. It's simply a a fact that the car manufacturers KNOW that premium fuel will not always be available to deliver the highest performance in all areas of the country.
So what if you miss 5-10% of maximum HP or torque. Over many years of ownership it can add up to a lot of money.
Unless you hammer on the engine all the time or require towing heavy loads, it doesn't make a difference in everyday driving. Th electronic controls on all new car engines will automatically adjust the engine ignition timing and fuel mixture to prevent pinging and detonation.
Every car sold in the USA is required to run on the lowest octane fuel available. It's simply a a fact that the car manufacturers KNOW that premium fuel will not always be available to deliver the highest performance in all areas of the country.
So what if you miss 5-10% of maximum HP or torque. Over many years of ownership it can add up to a lot of money.
sharp4runr
New member
Re: Go cheap
Uhhhh, I'm not sure I agree with that statement there. Ever been in a turbocharged car that someone mistakenly put in regular? I have and it's not a fun experience. You'll hear some nocking and pinging and that isn't good for an engine.
ToolmanJohn said:
Uhhhh, I'm not sure I agree with that statement there. Ever been in a turbocharged car that someone mistakenly put in regular? I have and it's not a fun experience. You'll hear some nocking and pinging and that isn't good for an engine.
ToolmanJohn
New member
It's true
Since the heavy use of computerized engine management, vehicles can automatically adjust the timing/fuel mixture/engine management in order to prevent detonation and ping.
This is why I have NEVER seen any owners manual (even sports cars turbo or otherwise) state premium fuel was mandatory. It's always "Recommended" by manufacturers of performance vehicles (usually higher compression ratios, turbo, S/C )that you use premium fuel, but if it's not available what do you do? Walk? Maybe don't sell cars in very rural areas where it is sometimes not even available? Porsche engineers design their cars so they will run adequately on the lowest octane fuel, and as I said before you get a performance hit, but the car will still run fine.
Since the heavy use of computerized engine management, vehicles can automatically adjust the timing/fuel mixture/engine management in order to prevent detonation and ping.
This is why I have NEVER seen any owners manual (even sports cars turbo or otherwise) state premium fuel was mandatory. It's always "Recommended" by manufacturers of performance vehicles (usually higher compression ratios, turbo, S/C )that you use premium fuel, but if it's not available what do you do? Walk? Maybe don't sell cars in very rural areas where it is sometimes not even available? Porsche engineers design their cars so they will run adequately on the lowest octane fuel, and as I said before you get a performance hit, but the car will still run fine.
TSP-MIKE
New member
First of all, all cars that boost will have to use premium. If there is not enough octane the motor will ping and knock. It's not good for the motor at all!! If you can't get premium fuel there is always octane booster you can add to your gas.
If i'm not mistaken, All Lexus must use premium. I have 2 LS400's and all i put in them is premium. If your vehicle has warranty and something does go wrong with your motor, and if the dealer finds out that you did not use premium, they will not repair the vehicle. I've had some one do that and the dealer did not repair their vehicle. Even though they got a lawyer, it wasn't possible. BTW it was a mercedes.
Mike
If i'm not mistaken, All Lexus must use premium. I have 2 LS400's and all i put in them is premium. If your vehicle has warranty and something does go wrong with your motor, and if the dealer finds out that you did not use premium, they will not repair the vehicle. I've had some one do that and the dealer did not repair their vehicle. Even though they got a lawyer, it wasn't possible. BTW it was a mercedes.
Mike
worth it?
With gas prices the way they are now, I'm sure a lot of us are having the octane debate now.
My personal philosophy is if I can't afford an extra $4.00 per fillup (20 gallons @ $0.20 delta 93 to 87) to give the beast what it was optimized for, I probably shouldn't have bought a $40K truck.
YMMV.
With gas prices the way they are now, I'm sure a lot of us are having the octane debate now.
My personal philosophy is if I can't afford an extra $4.00 per fillup (20 gallons @ $0.20 delta 93 to 87) to give the beast what it was optimized for, I probably shouldn't have bought a $40K truck.
YMMV.
tkr128
New member
The only cars Toyota makes currently (not including Lexus vehicles) that require at least 91 octane are the Celica GT-S and the Matrix XRS. The 97-01 Camry V6's also required 91. Just to put it in perspective.
I've always put what the manual recommends, if not higher.
I've always put what the manual recommends, if not higher.
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