Premium Fuel or not?

[Hiker42]

Here's what Toyota Brand Engagement replied when I asked them:

"We apologize, we can only advise of what is documented in the official publications, such as, the Owner's Manual."

 

[Captain Trips]

Here's what Toyota Brand Engagement replied when I asked them:

"We apologize, we can only advise of what is documented in the official publications, such as, the Owner's Manual."

You’re never going to get a satisfactory answer for this question. Never. You are going to have to make your own informed decision.

 

[Hiker42]

I've never owned a Toyota before. Is this typical?

 

[Captain Trips]

I've never owned a Toyota before. Is this typical?

No, it is not typical. The Land Cruiser is the first vehicle that Toyota has put out with a recommendation for premium fuel, other than the supra, which was a BMW anyway. That’s why you get answers from the stealership like every Toyota takes 87.

 

[MHead]

As the old saying goes..."An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

I have always used premium in every automobile I own...there is an additive package in the Premium fuels that provides a cleaner burner, longer tank life and fuel injection component cleaning. I keep my vehicles for a minimum of 10 years...and never have had any issues with the engines...my German, Swedish, Japanese vehicles all run, perform and age better with premium.

Please know that there is no science behind my experience...it's just anecdotal observation.

If you plan to keep the vehicle for many years it's best to follow the recommended octane rating...if you're leasing the vehicle or planning to trade within a few years and don't care what happens after the lease or short term ownership ...then you're free to make a choice.

One other thought, and its been covered extensively here and kind of fits in the mentality of fuel choice...change your oil at least every 7500 miles...5K is better for turbo engines...That is if you're planning to keep the LC for many years.

 

[TheBat]

No, it is not typical. The Land Cruiser is the first vehicle that Toyota has put out with a recommendation for premium fuel, other than the supra, which was a BMW anyway. That’s why you get answers from the stealership like every Toyota takes 87.

And the GR86 (which is also mostly a Subaru) and the GR Corolla

 

[BoredomFestival]

At this point I wish the moderators would just lock this and all other similar topics and say "RTFM"...

 

[ultane]

I wonder how sophisticated the ECU’s in our LC’s actually are?... Since it can alter the timing of the engine, to prevent knock, does it also store that much info, for the dealer's service department computer when it is hooked up to our rigs. Does Toyota monitor these kind of things??

 

[ultane]

At this point I wish the moderators would just lock this and all other similar topics and say "RTFM"...

That wouldn’t be good for their business model.

 

[EOD Guy]

I wonder how sophisticated the ECU’s in our LC’s actually are?... Since it can alter the timing of the engine, to prevent knock, does it also store that much info, for the dealer's service department computer when it is hooked up to our rigs. Does Toyota monitor these kind of things??

I read somewhere the ECU does store the engine knock data for diagnostic purposes of course.........

 

[ultane]

I read somewhere the ECU does store the engine knock data for diagnostic purposes of course.........

That’s what I thought. So if someone’s LC toasts its engine, for using 87 octane, Toyota corporate will be able to say, “You didn’t use the recommended fuel”, and deny a warranty claim. (?)

 

[EOD Guy]

Possibility..... however if it starts knocking, and you continue to use a lesser quality fuel....... well that's not what I'd do. Mine's on regular runs and accelerates just fine. I'm just not worried about it.

 

[jenos96]

Is engine knocking that’s caused by low octane fuel more of a damage over time concern? I had thought a single knock could be severe

 

[ghettomedic]

Is engine knocking that’s caused by low octane fuel more of a damage over time concern? I had thought a single knock could be severe

It’s over time.

 

[jenos96]

I had no choice but to put 87 in a near empty tank today since the only gas station at the start of the trail I was going didn’t offer premium.

31mi of moderate-severe terrain followed by 60mi of rural dirt and paved roads. I never really go in excess of 2-3k rpm. Elevation 4k. No crazy mods.

No engine knocks at all that I heard, fuel economy seems identical to premium. I may switch to putting 87 or mid grade in the tank going forward

 

[ultane]

I had no choice but to put 87 in a near empty tank today since the only gas station at the start of the trail I was going didn’t offer premium.

31mi of moderate-severe terrain followed by 60mi of rural dirt and paved roads. I never really go in excess of 2-3k rpm. Elevation 4k. No crazy mods.

No engine knocks at all that I heard, fuel economy seems identical to premium. I may switch to putting 87 or mid grade in the tank going forward

91 octane is all that is required, isn’t it?

 

[Nuke]

I had no choice but to put 87 in a near empty tank today since the only gas station at the start of the trail I was going didn’t offer premium.

31mi of moderate-severe terrain followed by 60mi of rural dirt and paved roads. I never really go in excess of 2-3k rpm. Elevation 4k. No crazy mods.

No engine knocks at all that I heard, fuel economy seems identical to premium. I may switch to putting 87 or mid grade in the tank going forward

You will be crucified on this discussion for doing this, but I'm with you, the engine will adjust. If I were pulling a trailer up a long grade in the summer, pushing the envelope, sure, 91 octane might be my choice. Wish I could locate the post, wherein, from the mouth of a Toyota employee with access to engineering, the 91 Octane stipulation was for achieving a target MPG rating.

 

[RUN-8]

In this video the presenter mentions they found a difference in performance using 87 octane and 91 octane in dyno testing.

Also claims the factory air box on the T24A-FTS is pretty restrictive. The Tacoma uses a slightly different airbox than the LC, the LC airbox is probably even more restrictive.

 

[EOD Guy]

I've been using 87 for a while now, no ill effects at all.

 

[GaryA]

My FJ says premium on the fuel door . It does get better mileage and more horse power when you burn premium. But I do burn premium in my Land Cruiser because it has a Turbo.