Which fuel

[zak4runner]

I have been told by my Toyota dealer and service person that I shouldn

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I run 87-octane unleaded in my 4Runner -- no problems at all. The stealership mechanic said that 87 is suitable for the 4Runner's V6 engine and that I could use a higher-octane gasoline if I were seeking "optimum" performance under particularly severe or adverse conditions - but that it was not necessary for normal operation.

The 4Runner has a knock sensor that detects pre-ignition and adjusts/retards the timing to prevent engine damage. By using premium when not needed, you would be wasting money. Conversely, constant use of a fuel with insufficient octane (lots of pinging) will result in your engine management system cutting back your timing enough to significantly affect your fuel economy.

If you pull a lot of heavy weight through the mountains or drive like Mario Andretti during your evening commute, then perhaps the higher-octane juice may be better for you. For us normal people, regular fuel will be just fine.
:biggrin2:

Regarding fuel brands, I don't think it matters as much as it used to. I run "off brand" discount fuel in my vehicles -- without any adverse effects. The important thing is to buy gasoline from some place where they sell a lot of it, since it won't have time to sit very long in the underground storage tank.

Getting gasoline from Costco or Wawa where they get three or four tanker trucks each day is better for your car than buying fuel from the corner Shell station that gets a shipment evey other week.

All gasoline supposedly comes through the same pipelines and already meets certain EPA regulations, so I doubt there is really that much of a difference -- unless some super-secret concoction of particular additives is mixed in when the tanker truck is filled.

This is just my opinion, as someone who has been driving a long, long time. Be advised that you will hear something different from someone else.
:artist:

P.S. I pour a bottle of fuel injector cleaner into my gas tank after every oil change. I've gotten 200,000 trouble-free miles on different types of vehicles by doing this.

 

[jeober]

I have been told by my Toyota dealer and service person that I shouldn