What octane do you run?

I have a 2011 access cab V6 4x4 and have been messing around now for a few months with the octane of fuel I run and so far 89 is the best feel it runs smoother and I get better mileage out of a tank around 20 mpg I've figured out mainly city driving with a mix of highway.

 

Spf 30 or 60 depending on the sun

 

I run 87 and it seems to run fine but I have not tried a higher octane.

 

I run 93 at least once a month with a fuel additive to clean everything up a bit. Try 93, youll find some power lol

 

I'm going on a 500 mile round trip next weekend. I'll fill up with 93 and see if I notice a difference. Thanks.

 

This comes up regularly and it will be a bunch of anecdotal "evidence" based on how the drivers think their truck feels. Without having a way to monitor the total ignition timing, knock feedback and learning and/or ignition advance multiplier, it's all just conjecture and any real improvement will be minimal, if at all, but may be worthwhile depending on what you value and some parts of the engine design.

One example, Subaru vehicles from about 1998 to at least 2007 (probably still similar), will constantly try to increase ignition timing in all load and rpm areas until light knock is detected, and then it will slightly retard timing, wash, repeat. This is how most modern EFI systems work. So a higher octane fuel will, in theory, allow for more ignition advance and this more tq for the same amount of fuel, all else equal. In practice, it does allow for the same amount of work (power) for less fuel/air or more work for the same amount of fuel/air. This is all well documented on at least a couple sources, of which romraider.org is the one I can recall.

That said, without ECU logging data it's just opinions and feelings.

 

87 w/ethanol.

Tried 87 100% and it did get better mpg.
Couldn’t tell a performance difference though, so I just went back to 87E

I have used other ratings, but didn’t pay much attention to mpg or performance.
Most of the time it was because I pushed the wrong button at the pump.
Like when they put 87 between 89 and 91. That’s got me a few times, lol.

 

Premium fuel lasts longer too giving you more bang for you buck. Its a much cleaner burn too

 

No it just allows for further timing. It doesn't burn any different. 91+ octane is for high performance engines with high compression or high intake temps that would detonate with regular fuel.

91 in a Tacoma just means on heavy load it can run slightly high timing. Probably only noticeable towing.

 

I use the octane rating specified in the owners manual.

 

Doesn't the owners manual specify a minimum 87 octane?

 

89 runs the best in my 19 off-road with manual

 

When paying more than 3$ a gallon the truck gets only the finest 87 e10 found here in CA

 

85 here in CO - our octanes are all 2 lower than you filthy low-landers because we are so darn high all the time

 

Cheap stuff day to day, Good stuff once in awhile with some sea foam. I do that mostly on a road trip, so it burns thru well and cleans things up.

 

when i first got my 2010 Taco. I ran 91, just to be nicer to engine etc........but noticed little difference......Now I run 87 in town, and for longer drives will put in 91, for the extra power on the Interstate , plus an injector cleaner or 2 because I know im going to be using lots of tankfuls......keep everything clean

 

Shell 89 mid grade mostly, sometimes 87 various brands

 

According to Toyota you do make more power on 91

 

I've got to run 91 octane because it has a supercharger

 

87 works just fine for my "bone stock" 4.0L