What Fuel Octane are you using ?

People don't understand how things work. Its why oil companies can still convince people with regular engines to spend more to buy high-octane gas, as we've seen on this thread.

 

In my case, I know one fact. That fact is, I notice an absolute difference in vehicle performance between premium gas and regular gas, in my '09 Tacoma. Seems more responsive and smoother. Better acceleration.

I've notice the exact same thing with my '08 FJ Cruiser. Better power, smoother and better throttle response.

Both vehicles have the 4.0 V6. One is manual, one is auto. I suspect the on-board computer changes the timing to match octane, among other things, and you're going to get a better ignition advance curve with premium at a minimum. It probably also has to do with WA state having really crappy, 10%+ ethanol regular gas.

Nope, I have not calculated a cost differential or worked out the pennies. Don't care.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine


1GR-FE 4.0L V6 from a 2007 Toyota Tacoma. The 1GR-FE is the 4.0L version. Bore is 94 mm and stroke is 95 mm. Output is 236 hp (183 kW) at 5200 rpm with 266 lb-ft (382 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm on 87 octane, and 239 hp at 5200 rpm with 278 lb-ft at 3700 rpm on 91 octane.

 

Thats all i'm sayin'...


87

 

even if it IS right, that 3 horse isn't worth the extra money I'd spend per year

 

mines runs better....

and sounds better....

on 89.

fo reel.

 

With the Taco, I notice a small difference in performance when using regular and premium gas. Enough for me to pay the extra $.

FWIW my 1998 4Runner (68k miles) has run on premium all it's life and the engine runs smoothly, like new, while my father's 1995 T100 (same engine, the 3.4 V6, with 53k miles on the clock) has been filled with regular it's whole life and that thing runs pretty rough (well, compared to my 4Runner). The servicing intervals and driving conditions of both trucks are similar too.

Anyway, I'm not saying that my observations are proof that premium is better, but it definitely would make me think twice about switching fuel, when what I'm currently filling up with seems to be a better choice IMO.

 

That's knot fare

 

I changed from using 91 to 87 about three months ago. 2009 DC Sport. I do frequent trips over the Sierras (Donner summit) and often face stiff winds in NV driving 82 mph. I've not noticed any performance change, no pinging etc. BUT my mileage has increased a bit. So it's 87 for me, 85 if I'm staying in northern NV above 4000 ft.

 

And how often should we change our oil and are people that own 4 X 4s or 5-speeds agents of Satan?

 

Reviving an old thread for a good purpose. This guy has a Nissan Frontier with a 4.0 V6 where his owners manual said to use premium fuel for better performance. He dyno tested both fuels with no difference in power at all. His fuel mileage increase not even 1 mpg using premium over regular gas. The link is here: http://www.jackphelps.com/frontier/dyno2.htm

 

Filled her up for the first time using 93 going to switch to 87 next time to see how she likes it.

 

Good. You shouldn't feel any difference. I want to believe premium would fetch me more power and economy but at .50 cents more per gallon than regular, the difference is negligible. Regular is only $1.76 per gallon where I live right now, so $.50 more a gallon is a big percentage difference.

 

Premium fuel is only advantageous if you are TUNED for premium. If you took a stock tacoma and were able to retune it for 91 you will make more power...but they aren't tuned for 91 they are tuned for 87. There is no advantage to running 91 or 89 in anything that is tuned for 87. None. Likewise if your truck/car is tuned for 91 you don't want to put 87 in it. There is one caveat and that is if your engine has substantial carbon build up it may create a slightly higher compression ratio which will make running one octane rating higher necessary but that isn't very common.

 

I'll politely disagree as I believe the 4.0 can advance its timing when knock is not detected. I say this because I was at the drag strip running 89 octane and I did get a brief moment of noticible ping at a certain rpm and wide open throttle. The computer readjusted itself and didn't ping again for the rest of the night I was racing. That being said, I think our computers run very conservative tunes and running more timing with a better tune will get slightly more power. I just don't think running 91 or 93 with everyday driving will yield a notable difference as the above link shows.

 

you drag your Taco?

 

93. Because...supercharger.

 

If that is that case then you should be able to put in 110 octane race fuel and see incredible gains in power. But it's not going to happen. These engine ARE very smart though. If you put 85 octane in your engine it's not going to hurt anything. It's going to retard timing and your gas mileage is going to suffer...because the system is designed to be at full efficiency at 87.

 

Then wouldn't it stand to reason that you get bet MPG or KPG for Canada using 93?

 

This thread makes me want to use leaded gas because everyone is so head strong about what octane gas to use. What does the manual say? Runs on 87. Tested at 91. 3 horsepower difference. Lets all put the baseball bats away, grab some shovels and bury this horse.