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is higher octane really any better for the 4 cylinder?

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by TacomaGus, Apr 30, 2010.

  1. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:46 AM
    #1
    TacomaGus

    TacomaGus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i have a 3RZ and i have been putting in 93 octane for about the last month but idk if it is really any better cuz the ecu has to be used to it by now...just wondering if anyone else had better mpg or gains with using higher octane compared to 87?
     
  2. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:49 AM
    #2
    stro908

    stro908 Well-Known Member

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    I ran super for about 2 months in mine. Kept track of the MPG, went back to regular, NO DIFFERENCE. I dont notice any performance gain either.
    MPG was nearly identicle.
     
  3. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:49 AM
    #3
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    +1. I tried higher octane and noticed zero improvement in performance or gas mileage.
     
  4. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:50 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    I know you asking about the 4 cylinder, but recently I started putting 91 oct in my 4.0 V6 and I have noticed a huge increase in my MPG. I used to only get about 240-260 out of a tank (I do alot of city driving) and now I"m getting right around 300 miles per tank.
     
  5. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:52 AM
    #5
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    I believe the 4.0 was originally designed to run on high octane, so I'm not surprised that you have seen improvements with that engine. If I had the 4.0, I would try higher octane for sure.
     
  6. Apr 30, 2010 at 7:57 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    I've heard that your supposed to use 91 octane for "improved performance" well I didn't notice any power increase but def the MPG, therefore I'm going to stick with the premium. This was the first time I have ever used premium in my truck on a consistance bases other than when I tow for long distances.
     
  7. Apr 30, 2010 at 8:01 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    My manual said it on the very back of the book. Like the quick reference page. Maybe its just the Auto's I dunno.
     
  8. Apr 30, 2010 at 8:12 AM
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    kcbmx

    kcbmx doing my thing.

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    Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't higher octane only benefit higher compression engines?
     
  9. Apr 30, 2010 at 8:29 AM
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    dmac11

    dmac11 Well-Known Member

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    I just put in my first tank of high octane. I have read on other threads that it will take at least three tanks for the engine to adjust to the different octane. I will let you know what i think after a few tanks of gas.
     
  10. Apr 30, 2010 at 8:54 AM
    #10
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    You are right.

    Drawing MPG or performance conclusions from a few tanks of higher octane is bogus. You need a very controlled environment and accurate test equipment to measure the difference.

    Follow the owners manual for recommendations.

    From http://www0.epinions.com/content_2346164356
    “But I Just Think Premium Makes My Car Happy”

    If you enjoy using premium because you think it makes your car “happy,” then go right ahead and use it. President Bush has asked Americans to spend money to support the economy, so you can view it as your small patriotic contribution. And if you own stock in an oil company, so much the better. Using fuel with a higher AKI than needed will in no way harm an engine. Also, your engine won’t get “a taste” for the good stuff and rebel against you if you fall on hard times and have to use cheap gas.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2010 at 9:29 AM
    #11
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Thats weird. Mine says for "improved performance" use 91 octane and yours says 87. I dunno. The first 3 tanks of the premium I was towing 5K + lbs of boat so my MPG sucked anyways. But since then I have been putting the premium in and I think I have about 5 tanks total with premium and I'm still getting 300 +/- miles per tank.
     
  12. Apr 30, 2010 at 9:32 AM
    #12
    Tillers_Rule

    Tillers_Rule ......................

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    I've done similar experiments with my V6 and absolutely no difference in mpg.
     
  13. Apr 30, 2010 at 9:38 AM
    #13
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    That is so weird, I always fill up at 1/4 tank w/ 87 octane its 240-260 per tank since I've been using 91 its 300 +/-. But definetly no better in performance or power.
     
  14. Apr 30, 2010 at 9:49 AM
    #14
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Thats interesting. Mine is in my truck right now, I'll try and look at it again when I go home. I may/may not be wrong but I really remember it saying for improved performance use 91 octane. Oh well, I'm not really ot worried about it. I know that i have gotten better MPG since using the 91 so for now on I'm going to stick with 91.
     
  15. Apr 30, 2010 at 10:17 AM
    #15
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    Modern vehicles that call for high octane can usually run fine on lower octane, because the knock sensors will tell the computer to adjust the engine parameters accordingly to prevent predetonation. The trade off is usually slightly lower performance.
     
  16. Apr 30, 2010 at 12:52 PM
    #16
    DGXR

    DGXR Well-Known Member

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    True, for example, my friend has a 1999 Acura 3.2TL which calls for 91 octane premium. She puts in 87 and has had no problems whatsoever, it runs smooth and powerful with no pinging, but a bit less peppy than with the 91.

    Also, this topic has been discussed to death. Just use whatever the manual says. Pretty sure all the modern Toyota 4-cyl engines call for 87 octane minimum at sea level so that is what I run now -- I tried several tanksfull of 91 and noticed no difference except less cash in pocket. Higher altitudes sometimes all you can get is 85 so I've heard, due to lower oxygen concentrations. The Toyota v6 engine can provide "enhanced performance" with higher octane but it is not required.
     
  17. Apr 30, 2010 at 10:24 PM
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    TacomaGus

    TacomaGus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    soooo there is no benefit to me using the higher octane? just kidding i got it, going to switch back to 87 and save some cash
     
  18. Apr 30, 2010 at 10:40 PM
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    Taco505

    Taco505 Well-Known Member

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    x2 i dont think it does anything either i did 91 for about 2 or 3 months and honestly i really think my mgp went down i would get about 280-300 on a tank, and with 87 i will usually get anywhere from 320-360 but i do add lucas inkector cleaner eveyonce and a while and i dont know if its just me but it feel like it runs better haha
     
  19. May 3, 2010 at 10:45 AM
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    JDCPA

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    The 4.0 is tuned to get its best performance with premium fuel (91-93). If you put a lower grade (like regular) in it the computer automaticly adjusts to keep the engine perfroming properly. Unless you are doing a lot of acceleration runs or heavy towing you will notice very little difference because most auto engines are not asked to perform at a very high percentage of maximum potential and hence the performance advantages of premium are rarely called upon. My wife's Murano works the same way and we run regular in it.

    The 2.7 is tuned to get its maximum performance with regular grade fuel (87). The computer is not programed to take advantage of premium fuel so you are just wasting money using anything but regular.

    Having said that the quality of the fuel you use will have a big impact on the injectors, valves and fuel system. We use Shell.
     
  20. May 3, 2010 at 10:57 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    I looked at my manual this weekend, and I was correct. It did state to use 91 octane or higher for improver performance. It was listed on the very back of the manual as well as the section about gas.
     

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