Which Octane Gas

[Specialized]

I've been using 87 octane in my '04 Runner since I got it. I think the owners manual says 91 or higher. With todays gas prices I can't imagine everyone putting 91 octane in their trucks. Am I the only one using 87? Other than performance issues...is there any major damage that can occur with using 87?

 

[jpalaska]

87 octane. No problem.

JP

 

[toto]

I've been using BP 87 since I got it. No problems, though I am wondering if it's contributing to the sulfur smell from the cat. I switched to 89 a few weeks ago, and the smell immediately improved, but "summer gas" came out around that time as well. I just put 87 back in this morning, so we'll see what happens.

 

[<<<<]

I use 91 and get better trottle response when compared to 87.

 

[Camprunner]

I only run 91 when im towing my camper other than that it's 87 all the time.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

87 Octane


I use 87 pretty much all of the time, and it works just fine. I tried using 89 or 93 octane fuel on a long trip - just to see if it made a difference and it probably did not. My mileage improved, but that was because I was at a steady speed on the highway and was not sitting in stop & go traffic.
:awais:

My local dealer said that the Toyota engines run just fine on 87 and actually have a knock sensor that detects preignition and temporarily retards the ignition timing to stop detonation. This, of course, will harm fuel economy somewhat if your sensor is kicking in all the time. If you are looking for "performance" or trying to drive like Mario Andretti, a 4Runner probably is not your type of vehicle anyhow.
:artist:

I find the 4Runner's performance more than adequate on any type of fuel -- even Wawa 87 unleaded. I doubt you'd need 89 or 93 unless you are hauling something heavy or driving in the next Gumball Rally.

 

[Uneek]

87 since day one, no sulfur smell either.

 

[blindside]

Just like Hivel said......

I like 91 cause it costs more...

 

[Specialized]

Thanks for the info.

 

[qpackard]

Gasoline of any octane rating has the same heat content, about 124,000 btu/gal which is what keeps your car from being a lawn ornament. Gasoline without octane, or raw or white gasoline, is considered to be an explosive. (Actually it's still an explosive with octane). What octane does is to control the rate of burn, more octane the slower the burn. Wikipedia calls it autoignition resistance, but it does not alter the heat content of gasoline. In the olden days car engines suffered from knock and ping when the timing of the spark was set too soon or too late compared to the position of the piston near top dead center. Modern cars have computers to compensate for the propensity of gasoline to try to blow off your engine's head without converting the heat to useful energy. There is no advantage to putting in more octane than necessary, so use the lowest level octane rating that will allow your car to run smoothly. If you detect knocking from the engine then step up a grade of gasoline. (It will sound like someone's under the hood banging away with a pair of pipe wrenches).
There is much high-school level lore about octane making your car run faster or better but that's the sort of thinking that says racing stripes will also make your car faster. Save your money and use the lowest rating you can safely get by with.
For comparison and a well-rounded Western education see also Cetane Number. Cetane is an additive to diesel fuel to promote ignition, just the opposite of octane.

 

[Pirate VI]

I agree, if you run anything higher than what the car is rated for then you are wasting your money. Contrary to popular belief premium, or 91, is not cleaner and should do nothing to make your car run any better. I think this "Mid Grade" 87 they have in the states is a joke, they dont have that back home in St. Croix, which coincidently is the site of the largest oil refinery in the west.

 

[dingo]

For what it's worth...

When I first got my '05 I used 91 octane. Then gas prices went up and switched to 87. Noticeable difference? No. For everyday trucking 87 is fine. Your engine's ECU will compensate for the difference and handle the rest. When I picked up my '07 I started using 87 right off the bat. No problems. Here's the interesting bit. In my '05 I notice that I get more sut from my tailpipe tip than on my '07. My '07 doesn't have nearly as much black forming on the tip as the '05. They're both V6's. I've read that carbon buildup can result from higher octane use over the life of the engine and perhaps my '05's engine is just farting that stuff out from the 91 octane I used earlier. Hmmm... who knows.

 

[blindside]

I use either 89 mid or 91, but right now i'm putting 91, just my own preference.

 

[Koz]

I use Shell regular. It is a "Top Tier" gas and with a annual free platinum Shell credit card you get 5 cents off every dollar. It ends up cheaper then the cheap shit.

http://www.toptiergas.com/

Koz

 

[keylay31]

i use 85 octane. the dealer said the 91 is not necessary. I feel no diff between the costlier gas. When I'm paying $50+ a tank, i think ill go for the 85.

 

[Falls]

87 here too. Runs fine and goes like hell. No need to spend any more money on gas than I already have to.

 

[busbeepbeep]

I use Shell regular. It is a "Top Tier" gas and with a annual free platinum Shell credit card you get 5 cents off every dollar. It ends up cheaper then the cheap shit.

http://www.toptiergas.com/

Koz

same here.... Top Tier regular

 

[HRunner]

I believe everybody has their own prefer... esp in these days the heaven high gas price.

However, I found I got more mileage and better throttle response with 92. I tried 94, but not much difference between 92.

With 87 & 89 are similar, it will do the work, but you feel the car is more heavy than usual.

Anyway, I prefer 92.... Although I paid more, but got more mileage, it's about the same result.

 

[toto]

I've been using BP 87 since I got it. No problems, though I am wondering if it's contributing to the sulfur smell from the cat. I switched to 89 a few weeks ago, and the smell immediately improved, but "summer gas" came out around that time as well. I just put 87 back in this morning, so we'll see what happens.

I've been running 87 for a while now, and found that octane has nothing to do with the smell. Smells bad in the winter, but it's better in the summer.

 

[spud72]

According to Wiki - and I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but I would say there is a good chance it is correct:

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine

The 1GR-FE is the 4.0L version. Bore is 94 mm and stroke is 95 mm. Output is 236 hp (183 kW) at 5200 rpm with 266 lb-ft (382 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm on 87 octane, and 239 hp at 5200 rpm with 278 lb-ft at 3700 rpm on 91 octane. This engine features Toyota's single VVT-i, variable valve timing, system and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Inside, the 1GR uses a taper-squish combustion chamber design with matching pistons to improve anti-knocking and engine performance, while also improving intake and fuel efficiency