What type of gas do you use?

Hello all, I’ve owned my 4Runner trd pro for 10 months now and since day 1 I’ve been putting in higher grade gas than regular (89-93) Just curious what everyone else puts in their runners and if I’m ok with using regular (87) grade. Also if I’ve been using high grade since day 1 is it bad to switch to regular?

The book that came with the truck says it was tested with 93 grade from the factory, but most people tell me 87 is fine which is why I chose to just use 89 for the most part..

Am I wasting money by putting in higher grade than 87???

 

Regular/87, Yes. Unless it's supercharged.

Yes.

Great looking setup!

 

This is what my manual says. 2020 SR5.

You must only use unleaded gasoline.Select octane rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87 may result in engine knocking. Persistent knocking can lead to engine damage.

I don't know what "research octane number" means, but I guess it's some technical term regarding how the gas would be tested.

 

I use premium when it’s cheaper because it takes the annoying knocking noise away, but otherwise 87. As specified in the manual.

 

My Tacoma’s would always knock on 87. It usually happened when in a higher gear, right before the truck shifted down for more power. When I switched to premium, I never got the knocks. So I just always ran premium.

When I got my 4runner, I continued to run premium out of habit. And also simply to avoid the ethanol blends.

 

High octane from a reputable gas station. It takes less effort/rpm to turn the wheel with high grade gas. Then your using twice as much effort to turn the wheel with low grade fuel. So low grade will actually cost you more in wore out parts down the road.

 

High octane is completely unnecessary in an engine that has neither high compression nor forced induction.

I run in 87 octane in my 4Runner and 91 octane in my Mach 1(which has 10.1:1 stock compression). I tried 91-93 in the 4Runner a couple of times and noticed no difference in performance or gas mileage.

 

I get guys running that high ethenal/low octane crap. Trying to put that fire out. Then I cruise on up to speed with my rings seated and timing advanced....

 

I use 87. If the manufacturer requires to use 91 or higher then I would do so.

(most gas pumps here in CA. have 87-89-91 only)

 

I have eight gas stations within nine miles. Don’t go to any of them. I think they are selling E20, I notice a difference in the runner right away.

 

Cheapest 87 I run across when it’s time to fill up.

 

https://www.cars.com/articles/if-my...od-to-use-premium-occasionally-1420684149356/

Here's one of many articles explaining why using premium in a vehicle that requires regular is a waste of money.

 

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/octane-in-depth.php

 

I just found this online. Hmmm, ya learn something new everyday!

“If you look at the gas pump, under the octane number it should say "Determined by the (R+M)/2 method". The "R" in the formula is the "Research Octane Number", the "M" is the "Motor Octane Number". So if it says that to use 91 RON the MON would be at 83 hence (91RON + 83 MON)/2 = 87 Pump Octane.”

 

I use 87 as recommended in the manual. Check out the link Thatbassguy put in his post. Using higher octane is a waste. Where are you on LI? I'm in western Nassau.

 

85 octane

 

Grew up in Nassau (Levittown) now live in Suffolk (Hauppauge)

 

Thanks for all the answers everyone I figured it would be mixed answers but I decided to fill up with regular yesterday just for the hell of it and I didn’t notice any difference, I’m more worried about long term effects like carbon build up, knocking and such. I think I’m going to continue using higher grade as I’m used to doing so for all the other cars that require it.

I’m not sure if it makes a difference or maybe I just missed it but in the 2019 TRD Pro book it doesn’t mention anything about 87 and only mentions being tested with 91+

 

It's kind of like changing your oil at 5,000 instead of 10,000 miles.......it makes some people feel better, but it doesn't actually make a difference.

 

No not doesn’t say 91+ octane. RON and Octane are not the same thing.

This is a screenshot of what it says in the 2019 owners manual...

 

I live in ABQ. We have 86 for regular 88 for mid. I have read some information that if you live in higher elevations like ABQ and Denver that you can get away with a lower octane:

Why is octane lower at higher elevations?

“At higher altitudes, the thinner air compensates for the gasoline's lower octane, so the engine can usually run without detonation. If you are staying in the area, you can generally use the same level of gasoline you would at lower altitudes, i.e. regular, mid-grade or premium.”


“Because the air is less dense, less air flows to your car's engine. This translates to a slightly richer air-fuel ratio, and deters engine knock. For that reason, you'll find that regular gas carries an 85
octane rating here in Denver and throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Montana.”

I am one of those mentioned that also changes his oil every 5K but I do a lot of desert and dirt road driving so I tell myself it’s justified. I usually use the 88 but occasionally put in 86 if I am down half a tank. There is a .30 cent difference in price per gallon between 86 and 88 here. I do only use top tier gas though, and we have quite a few ethanol free gas stations here, next time I am near one and on empty I want to give it a try and see if there is a difference in MPG or performance. For some reason my MPG improved by 4 MPG when I rolled over 15K miles. Same driving habits, same gas, only thing different was I took it in for its 15K service and it kinda seemed to coincide with that. Service manager didn’t mention anything they fixed or changed.

 

Regular/87 No issues, get 18+ mpg per computer read out.

 

I'm one of those foolish ones that puts 93 in mine. I also have foolishly loaded this thing up with a ton of weight, 1k lbs over stock. So with the Dual VVT-i, these trucks can run fine on 87 because it can adjust timing on the fly. But the first time I took this truck loaded down on a steep grade going to Asheville in 95 degree heat, this 4.0 was rattling like hell to make it up at 60 mph. I slowed of course and let her cool down and made it up just fine. That was back in 16'. Now I went up the same grade last year after running 93 for several months and it was a much better pull up the hill. The 4.0 has a 10.4:1 compression ratio allowing it to burn 93 more efficiently, and the Dual VVT-i is designed to do that. The 2UZ-FE V8 is 9.6:1 so it's almost pointless to use 93 because it will never be able to utilize it. In the 80s I had a Camaro with a 327 and 10.5:1 compression, it would clatter big time on anything but 91 or higher. But, in 99% of these trucks on any given day 87-89 will work just fine because of their design. This loaded down 5th gen really shined on the higher octane on my drive from Fla to AZ and back last Christmas though. Never once having issues in the mountains at 75 to 80 mph. I just let her eat and she loved it. Gas mileage? That is always a valid argument, but I gave up trying to optimize it a long time ago. So in short, yes I'm a fool, and it drives some people crazy.

 

18+ mpg, you must not have a heavy foot, I’m at 15.5 and it doesn’t go up much from there even with the tent off the truck maybe closer to 16 using 89 octane.

 

I’m going to re check my book but I don’t remember seeing a chart like that.

 

don't know I do atleast 70 & W/CV-19 Less traffic 80mph

 

The compression ratio is 10.4 on the 4.0L? Well damn. If that's the case, I'm surprised premium fuel isn't required or at least recommended...

Interestingly, I just saw this in the Toyota GR engine Wiki under the 1GR-FE heading:
An updated version of this engine features Dual VVT-i, increasing output to 270 hp (201 kW; 274 PS) at 5600 rpm and 278 lb⋅ft (377 N⋅m) at 4400 rpm on 87 octane and 285 hp (213 kW; 289 PS) and 289 lb⋅ft (392 N⋅m) on 91 octane.

No source listed. 15 more HP by just switching to premium? Never heard of that one...

 

Higher octane will allow the engine to run more aggressive ignition advance, which will raise cylinder pressure and therefore horsepower.

Octane rating HAS NOTHING to do with carbon buildup or general engine cleanliness (you're thinking of detergents). It only modifies the fuel's resistance to pre-detonation. Choose a Top Tier gasoline provider to ensure minimum requirements for octane and detergents are met (most chains are and will advertise as such on the pump).

Also, ethanol is mixed into gasoline because it burns cooler, cleaner, and has a HIGHER octane equivalent. You get more performance with ethanol (up to E10 as prescribed in the manual and on the gas cap). You will notice that gasoline with lower ethanol content will get slightly better fuel mileage. This is because ethanol is less energy dense than gasoline. You need to burn more of it in order to keep combustion mixtures in the right ratio. Cars that can use E85 (flex fuel) can glean even more performance, at the expense of reduced miles per gallon.

 

Ive noticed sluggishness the few times ive ran 87 so I just stick to premium. In the long run its only a few bucks per tank.

 

Premium isn't required because of the Dual VVTi. It can adjust timing on the fly, so timing is retarded when using 87 to control pre ignition detonation. They have knock sensors in place to sense when it's happening under heavy load situations. As far as HP, I've heard some of the hot shots in CA have tuned the LS to get big time power out of E85 in some of the Pre Runners they build out there. But at that point they aren't worried about MPG, cause it goes right out the window. But you have to take into account the valve train is getting subjected to some pretty insane heat and longevity suffers too, but they're using high dollar parts to combat the higher valve stress as well.
Edit: after doing some research, I was completely wrong on the underlined statement. What you do have to do is upgrade your fuel system to run the higher pressures required and tune your Air Fuel Ratio, and your mileage will suffer. E85 runs a lot cooler than gasoline. Sorry folks not the sharpest pencil in the box sometimes.