Fuel type

A little frustrated as I just paid $500 to have eco-86 pumped from my tank when my check engine light came on. I have been using this fuel type for the last 6 months but early spring apparently the gas is changing. The gas cap says no e85 but didn't really think they were related. I guess I'm just posting to warn others Don't use it. According to others in this forum they've seen the manual say 87 octane or higher. Going to stick to that advice from now on, surely wish I would have seen it before I made this mistake. Luckily it did not void my engine warranty.

 

You are about $2/gal UNDER what we pay in N. NV!
Ethanol is not your friend, it’s a scam.
I’ve been using clear non-ethanol when available in my older vehicles and gas toys/generators to avoid the accompanying fuel system corrosion.

 

Hi Charity, welcome to the forum!
My gas prices here are insanely higher than yours - I paid $5.49 USD for 87 octane Chevron this week.

One of the problems with ethanol in fuel is how much water can be suspended in the ethanol. I know that it is tempting to save money on a less expensive fuel choice.

You have a very nice and reliable vehicle, congratulations on your purchase.

 

You can use 85 octane. I've done it without issue, at altitude you can use a lower octane. The ecu will adjust for it.

 

Welcome and thank you for the PSA. What exactly is Eco 86?

 

Is 86/88 octane E15?

 

Modern vehicle fuel systems are designed with materials that ethanol/water doesn’t corrode. It’s older vehicles that are in danger.
That said ethanol laced gas is a scam.
It does nothing to help the environment, just line scammers political pockets.

 

This, all modern vehicles have zero issues with ethanol

 

Hopefully better than 4Runner frames

I prefer not to have water attracted to my fuel tank due to the ethanol. Engines prefer not to have it too.

 

How do you avoid that? It's everywhere, even in 93 octane?

 

True but there is non ethanol gas at a lot of stations

 

I haven't been able to find one in the NE for years. Though I haven't tried airports.

 

Recreational gas at least in the winter when they add corn to the fuel.

 

yike. Only use 87 or higher

also, take a read through of the manual. It could save you from other costly mistakes

 

Don't know when it started but the 4Runner is supposed to be able to take E15, or at least it says on my gas cap.

I don't think I've ever seen mention of E15 being a step up in any way other than lower upfront price. (that still won't cover the efficiency drop.)

Probably just throwing a bone at the folks that say "only costs $__ to fill up!" without mention of miles driven or MPG.

If 100% gasoline prices were within 10% of 87 E10, I'd choose that. (subject to further testing)

 

The fact that you've been running it for the last six months, and the ECU in the Runner can compensate for slightly lower octane, makes me wonder if there wasn't a bit of water in the tank at the gas station. That could throw a code.