Best gas for these 3rd gens?

Whenever this topic comes up....I just like to politely remind everyone, that these trucks are built to withstand some of the most extreme conditions. I've driven toyotas throughout some of the worst places on earth, Afghanistan included, and they are tanks. They don't require high octane fuel and you will certainly not degrade the life of the engine or vehicle by putting what the book prescribes...I've seen these trucks last 20+ years with much much worse. Save your money for something useful like IPAs.

 

I looked at the OV Tune, and its a non-starter for me if I have to switch to more expensive gas. I'm happy with the performance of the truck, and was happy to be able to get cheaper gas after owning an Outback that recommended higher octane gas for years. REGULAR UNLEADED 4 LYFE

 

I believe the manual suggests using 90 or 91 RON fuel, which is Japanese standard regular. There have been debates on what exactly that means as the U.S. measurement is different from the rest of the world (because of course it is). Since our trucks have high compression, dual vvti engines, it adjusts the timing based upon the fuel's octane, generaly the higher the better, allowing it to produce a little more HP and resist knocking. I have tried every fuel octane available to me, including non-ethanol, and my truck runs best in terms of drivability on 90/91 non-ethanol, then followed by premium 91/93 ethanol (any brand). Anything 89 or below causes knocking with the exception of Exxon regular 87 ethanol. I also get the best fuel economy from the Exxon 87. But those are just my results.

 

I kind of like the knocking....lets me know I'm alive....like a neighbor checking in on you from time to time...."knock knock....how's things". Ya know?

 

http://www.pencilgeek.org/2009/05/octane-rating-conversions.html

91 RON is 87 in US octane.

 

Cheapest Chevron with Techron....no knocks and cleans the innards.

 

My reply was a joke actually. Still can get leaded fuel at pumps in wisconsin for offroad use only like VP C12,C14,C16. Not common but out there.

 

I use Costco fuel. 87 octane. Tried 91 octane for one or two tanks, but saw no mileage increase.

 

This was done on a different vehicle so consider that. Driving a Range Rover supercharged from San Antonio to the RGV with Valero 93 I have a noticeable amount of gas less than the last quarter. Doing the same trip, but filling up a couple miles before the Valero station with Shell 93, I have a a little over a quarter of a gas tank. I know there are a lot of variables, but ever since I noticed this Ive had it ingrained in my head that Valero sells crap and Shell sells the good stuff. Now that Im looking into the OVTune Im seeing that they have different tunes for different gasolines? Maybe OG OVT himself can chime in. @OVTune

 

That doesn’t sound scientific at all. Lol

Here I was thinking you did like some lab results or something cool. If the Shell is ethanol free and the ther other stuff not, that alone could almost give you that difference

 

Here is a good real world test of Non-Ethanol fuel:

https://youtu.be/bEf9Fdvx_Sc

 

This dude needs his own 'science guy' show.

 

I use 87 like everyone else. If you were asking which gas brand does the Tacoma seem to like better then i would say Mobil gas works the best in my truck. Chevron is OK. Arco and 76 makes it run like crap.

 

Valero is considered a top tier gasoline according to the website, I've also noticed a sticker near the pump that says top tier gasoline.

I pretty much always go to valero due to their prices and the fact there are a lot of pumps and parking.

Currently driving a 2000 jeep grand cherokee with about 220k miles, no issues. Get about 16 mpg according to the computer not that i care. (Since it's old)

So i have no problems with it.

EDIT: Obviously regular 87 octane.

 

Yeah I know, but the other gas was the 93 valero gas, which if Im not mistaken is supposed to be their equivalent.

 

Hate to break it to you but 3rd gens are built for Americans. They are overly sensitive and need to be pampered just like their owners

You must have been talking about the Hilux and land cruiser

 

Higher octane fuel burns slower. It doesn't make more power. Depending on the design of the engine you might see more power if:

1. You have a higher compression ratio than can't be sustained with a lower octane fuel.
2. You can advance the timing of the spark.

I run 87 Top Tier, I have not seen anybody post actual test data supporting running 93 actually providing more power. OVTune may take advantage and push the spark advance to get more power or at least quicker throttle response.

Personally, I would just run 87 and if I was to get the OVTune, I'd want the 87 version. It's just a pickup truck and not a hot rod. Top Tier gas is what you want though.

 

To split hairs the owner's manual doesn't "recommend" 87 octane, it says to "select 87 octane or higher".


After attempting to catch up on the OVTune threads it seems apparent that Toyota told the ECU programmers to throw in the kitchen sink and to add every possible data for the ECU to draw on. I have no doubt that 87 octane got the most love in testing and programming by a large margin. Even OVTune admits that there is nothing really left on the programming table to massage out a few more HP on 87 octane. However I would imagine that the stock ECU does have at least a little something extra in it for higher octane as I noticed a change/reduction in hesitation after I started putting in 93 a month ago. Maybe that's why Toyota says "87 or higher" instead of "recommend's 87" as I doubt its making more power is just seems smoother. Maybe it's just the winter gas formula my truck doesnt like. IDK

Thanks to this thread I have fallen down a bit of a rabbit hole after looking up Top Tier Gas.