Does premium gas extend life of 3.4L?

Every-time I go to fill up, I'm torn between paying extra for the premium and just going with the cheapest. Does it really do anything to extend the life? Does anyone burn regular and have no issues?

I understand that maybe you would have more power, but i just don't know if it's really worth it.

 

Although I can't definitively answer your first question because it largely relies on the refinery your local station gets it's gas from (cleanliness etc), I'm going to tell you that anyone who says premium fuel gives you more power is feeding you BS. Premium fuel DOES NOT and WILL NOT give you more power. Period. Premium fuel is merely a higher octane, a.k.a. a higher resilience to pre-detonation (aka un-controlled detonation prior to the spark plug detonating your fuel, or dieseling). Premium fuel merely allows one to modify their engine in such a way that they couldn't before with lower-octane fuel, be it boosting, increasing compression ratio, or spark timing. Sorry for the long response, it just aggravates me to no end when people (not you!) firmly believe this and end up making people spend hundreds of dollars more a year on an unnecessary product for their vehicle. Our CR in the 5VZ is something like 9:1, insanely low and only needs to be fed 87.

 

Unless your manual recommends it, it's no benefit except increase EPS at the oil companies.

There are a few vehicles that benefit but it's called out in the owners manual...otherwise it's marketing that's working.

 

Preach. Unless you're boosted, don't waste your money.

 

thats what i figured

 

It will make your wallet lighter, but won't help your truck.

 

I get 1-1.5 mpg more with premium over regular. Don't about reliabilty. But it's not worth it to me except when towing. I run reg most of the time.

 

It will NOT extend the life of you 3.4 WHATSOEVER.

It may give you a slight mpg boost due to the way Toyota timing system works. The ECU will advance the timing until it hears knock and then retard timing safely. If you use higher octane fuel you will run more timing. Period. This is not a popular opinion, but it's literally the way toyota's ecu handles timing and would make more power and better fuel economy. However, it's probably not enough MPG difference to justify the increased cost of Premium.

If you want to extend the life and mpg of your truck, run ETHANOL FREE fuel. Again, maybe not enough MPG increase to warrant the extra expense, but it is certainly better fuel and you'll get more power to boot.

 

No, it doesn't. It may cause a placebo effect to help you feel like you are taking better care of your taco, but it is just a placebo.

Accurate. Money is better spent on ethanol free gas, rather than mid-range or premium octane.

 

It actually might work the other way: you get better mileage from premium not because high octane is better, but maybe because your regular fuel us full of sh## (like higher ethanol content comparing to your "premium"). This is actually good that Toyota engines are design for low octane fuel - the gas mileage sucks comparing to "high octane engines" but reliability and longevity is much higher. It's like old lawnmower engines will run on anything with sludge in the crankcase and still last forever.

 

Dear Everybody,

First off I would like to commend Benrpd and Vasivictor for their write ups to the question in this thread. Both of their answers were excellent; they were accurate and informative.

Premium fuel as multiple members have already pointed out is only warranted if the owner's manual for the vehicle calls for it. The vehicles that usually call for it generally have high compression performance engines.

This is how I use premium fuel in our house. We use ethanol free premium gasoline with Stabil in our weed whacker, lawn mower, chainsaw and outboard. From what I have been told, it is wise to use in anything that is stored for long durations of time because it does not break down as quickly as the other grades of fuel. This is just what I have been told so fellow members please correct me if I am wrong.

Take it easy,
Paul

 

Only reason Prem. would give better mileage is if it contained less ethanol. It's true often times it does. You would get 10% better if you found ethanol free at the same price but it's almost always a wash price wise.

As far as extend the life....no. Money's better spent on a bottle of Techron every oil change. Or burn Chevron gas. It's good stuff. I don't buy it myself but I believe in techron and buy that on sale at Advance.

 

I second Techron. Chevron makes another one called Progard, don't confuse that one with Techron-the bottles look almost alike. Make sure to get the pure Techron. Far as Premium fuel I have been using 91 since the truck was new, simply to satisfy my mind on the matter. I am of the opinion that the ECU will retard timing with a lower octane to compensate for ping. Though it may be negligible in motors like ours, I figure every teeny bit of advance I may gain is a good thing.

 

Any input on whether or not to use ethanol free? I use it in my car as it calls for premium in the first place, but wonder if it would benefit my truck in any way.

Not sure if it's on topic or not, but how about fuel additives? In my car I run sea foam every 3 or so tanks. Would this also benefit the 3.4 in any way?

 

I honestly don't run a bottle of cleaner through my tank more than once every 6-7 months. If you feel the need to use it more then start looking at why. proper maintenance is better.

someone had posted a few months ago the link to a list of "top-tier" companies that had better refining processes. using these companies' fuel would be more beneficial if they are available in your area. they still contain ethanol as there are not many (at least near me) that offer "ethanol free" or a reduced amount.

 

I have been told the same as Paul.

Doug

 

I have not run any additives in my fuel in 100,000 miles

I do change the filter every spring

I buy fuel several different places as needed

 

Rule of thumb; Use whatever the owner's manual calls for. They built it, they should know what works!

 

I beat the piss out of my 5vz fe daily, and I can tell a difference with premium vs regular.... And difference between really cheap gas vs higher end gas. Just my .02$

 

NO. Save your money for the timing belt kit, spark plugs/wires, diff/trans fluid changes, coolant flushes, etc. <- this WILL prolong the life of your 3.4L.