Switching from 87 to 94 octane? 2014 TRD Taco

I've been trying to find some answers online but nothing yet, hoping some people can advise.

I have a '14 TRD Access cab 6spd Tacoma.

Approx. 9000 miles (14,000kms) on the odometer.

Gas prices up here in Canada are pretty high but lately dipped lower than usual. Almost everything these days is also 10% ethanol blend which from what I understand, means you're getting 10% less gas/fuel efficiency if I'm not mistaken?

94 octane at some stations shows no ethanol and I'm wondering if using the 94 will make an improvement in fuel efficiency.

Can I simply start using 94 or do I need to something with the computer on my truck for it to start using the higher octane (I had a 1995 Acura TL and I remember there being tips for resetting the computer when switching octanes, etc) not sure if its an actual thing or necessary for a truck like ours.

Has anyone tried the 2 out and noticed any improvement or less besides a bigger cost at each time at the pump?

Thanks for any help!

 

You didn't search hard because this is has been discussed ad nauseum.

Summary: You don't need to do anything to run higher octane gas but you won't get anymore performance out of it either until you can advance timing or increase boost levels (for forced induction applications) but our trucks are tuned to run on what they're tuned to run on so you get zero benefit from running higher octane fuel.

 

The higher octane will offer little to no benefit but if it is actually ethanol free you will see a small increase in mpg due to higher btu content of gasoline over ethanol. Not enough to offset the higher cost of 94 octane fuel.

 

You won't get any more power without timing but you are correct about the gas here having up too 10% ethanol in everything except the 94 octane at chevron. You should get slightly better mileage and the price difference is usually around 15 cents a liter more going from 87 too 94. Just run it with 94 a few times and see if there's a difference and if its enough too justify the cost

 

If premium has no Ethanol then you will see an increase in MPG, you just need to experiment and see if the increase in MPG is enough to offset the price difference.

 

You do not need to do anything to the truck to run the higher octane and yes it will get better MPG, about 10% better with pure gas, but the price difference for 94 might not offset the expense. There is a station in Vancouver that sells 89 octane which should be cheaper and probably come closer to the price difference.
False Creek Fuels - UNBRANDED1655 Whyte Ave, Vancouver BC
604-638-0209
Ethanol-free octane ratings: 89
GPS coordinates: N 49.27562 W 123.13806
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=BC

 

Ok thanks guys, this is what I was trying to figure out. Even if octane makes no difference, I'm going to try the 94 with no ethanol a few times to see what the difference is. Obviously if cost/mileage difference is more than sticking to 87 then I'll just go back to that.

 

I just did a test with 91 non ethanol and got worse mpg (from 20.5 to 19). It was from a trusted gas station. I am sticking with the 87 because that is what the engine was developed to use. The station does have 87 non ethanol but it is 25 cents a gallon more than regular 87, not worth it.

Carl

 

I know it has nothing to do with this thread but if memory serves me when the 4.0 came out in 05 I think it required premium fuel, I know by the time I bought my 08 it was down to regular.

 

You should get better mpg with non ethanol.but can only be verified with a full tank with highway driving or city. Mixed driving will give mixed results.

Living in iowa I know a lot about ethanol. Gas stations were not even required to post it if 10% ethanol was added. That has recently changed.

We also have e-85, known as flex fuel. Most trucks (chevy and fords) in iowa can take e-85, but gas milage plumets. It is much cheaper or at least was. Was government susidies have started to dissapear.

10% ethanol used to only be about .10 cheaper a gallon hear and it didn't seem worth the money due to slightly decreased gad milage. For a 21 gallon tank it was a whole $2.10. Not really much of a savings, not even a free gallon if gas at $3.00 a gallon.

However, recently we have received lower grade gasoline that is rated at 87 octane instead of 89 and the savings per gallon is about .35 a gallon. Now your saving about $8.00 for a 21 gallon tank. Still not huge, but with today's prices that is an extra 4 gallons of gas. So the 1-2 miles a gallon less mpg does not really matter.

Best way to find out is the old fashioned way. Set the trip and divide miles driven by gallons to fill. I make an effort to do this every tank. Winter gas and warming up the car absolutely kill mpg.

Another killer is a full tank burned up with only stop and go traffic. I have never gotten epa city ratings when driving only in town. I have gotten highway mpg when burning a whole tank at highway speeds even with %10 ethanol

 

The only way I see this happening is if your truck (I'm assuming vehicle is a tacoma) is rated at 87. If rating is for 87 and you use higher it is not as efficient. Always stick with manufacturer suggestions unless you modify or have a high compression engine. Otherwise your not only wasting money but making your engine due with a inferior fuel for its needs

 

I had no idea the new shell gas had no ethanol. Going to have to do a test and see which gets me better mileage. The 94 at chev and the 91 at shell. If they both contain no ethanol they should get the same mileage. Curious though. The price difference between 91 and 94 is only 3 cents a liter here

 

Shell V Power 91 has never had ethanol in Canada

 

My 2014 simply runs better on ethanol free high octane than it did when i used to use pure 87 (though I've not gone as high as 94). No more ping, for one. Improved throttle response (this might be subjective, but I've convinced myself), slightly better mileage (not enough to offset price increase, but really not that much $$ over the course of a year for me). The benefits outweigh the cost in my case. I'm done with ethanol.

In the USA check out http://pure-gas.org for listing/maps of stations with ethanol free gas.

 

I would love to find ethanol free fuel close by but no stations carry it.

 

When I had a direct injection engine I only used 91 non ethanol to keep the valves as clean as I could (better burn cleaner burn). I could write a small book on my last post to clarify what looked like a stupid statement. I drive 90 percent highway an very consistent so my test was fine from that point. The weather was consistent also. What probably changed is me. "Me" is the easiest way to impact mpg. What i should have said was non ethanol 91 did not make a big enough difference to justify the 30 cents a gallon difference.

Carl

 

Go around to your local business and ask them to consider handling it. Get your friends to do the same. We did it in this area and one finally did it and they let us know they are very happy they did being the only one around it was very profitable for them. .

 

Gasoline with 10% ethanol has almost 97% of the energy in pure gasoline. So in theory there could be a 3% mileage increase with the nonethanol fuel. Because of all the other variables involved it doesnt quite work out that cleanly in practice. And around here both premium, and regular without ethanol, both cost a lot more than 3% above the price of 87 octane E10.

 

Ethanol has heat value yes less than gasoline but the gains will never get any better than about 3% because ethanol burns just fine. Ethanol free fuel is available where I live-- at the air port and they won,t fill a vehicle it's 4.39 a gallon right now. This I can tell you I run a chain saw not not just a little bit maybe 20 hr a week this time of year. I tried 100 octane no ethanol Av fuel in the chain saw (they will fill a container) the big difference? It smelled different when I run the saw.