Toyota Tacoma - What Type of Gas Should You Use?

[@Tacosauce81]

I own a 2021 Tacoma, TRD OR. My owners manual recommends, a (minimum*) of 87 octane or (higher*), and to use only Tier 1 fuel. Low quality fuel, burns inefficiently, and is not as clean of a burn. Overtime, resulting in carbon buildup, dirty fuel injectors, clogged PCV vale etc. Which cause's, knocking (detonation) and ticking sounds, and overall reduced performance, and increased wear and tear on internal components. I've noticed a huge difference in the way the truck responds to 91 vs 87 octane. 91 runs a lot smoother, no knocking when accelerating going up hills. Increased economy, smother shifts, and overall performance. My only complaint is, I should have started running 91 octane sooner! I have 130k miles on the truck and @ around 90k miles. I switched from 87 to 91 and sometimes 93! Since switching, I gained back 2mpg, that I lost from running bigger tires. Now I average, 23-25mpg. I know its the fuel, because when I'm forced to get the cheap stuff. The truck almost immediately, goes back to 21 mpg and runs like crap!

[@giantgeoff]

In parts of our state we have a wonderful chain of convenience stores who's premium fuel grade that is ethanol free. It was first available in areas where there was there was a great use of recreational motors such as outboard boat engines snowmobiles, ATVs and other outdoor power equipment. Its primary advantage is that it is slower to break down and go bad. Second is that doesn't deteriorate plastic and rubber parts of the fuel system. It is not cheap but I use it almost exclusively (As long as I can get it) for my base model 2013 Taco. Octane is actually a rating for how a given fuel is resists knocking as compared to a standard sample of fuel that consists of 100% Octane. Motor octane is derived from actual experiment by running it in an engine that has variable compression. The Research Octane rating is derived by using its chemical analysis and comparing it to other fuels that match its composition (A friend with more expertise in the field says it's more of " Fudge Factor"to increase the advertised rating by a couple points). I'm also old enough to have had a Pontiac Ram Air 3 motor that was tuned to run on Sunoco 260 104 octane Fuel in the '70's God knows how much tetraethyl lead that stuff had in it! Funnily enough it also would run on Amoco lead free premium okay. I still wonder what kind of black magic that took. Yeah and before you flame me I started my college engineering program as a highschool senior had my first car at 12, and was self taught putting cars together, because if we wanted to drive that's what we had to do at 16.

[@xiaxiong9197]

I noticed the differences with higher grade (89, 91). They make my truck accelerate smoother than lower grade(87). I feel Arco brand is the worst. I only use Union 76, Chevron, Texaco, and Mobile gas for my truck.

[@efil4kizum]

is there no Shell or BP in your area?

[@jamespayne8471]

Yeah those are good brands of gas they are all high detergent gas.

[@nismo613]

It's your mind playing tricks to help you justify the extra cost

[@grinningchicken]

Same

[@craftmansnapon8035]

I agree!! I have 2014 with the 4.0L All my other friends and cousins pump cheap and 87 their tail pipe is all black Mines is like brand new

[@ReddOchober]

I noticed a lot of knocking at lower rpm when traversing mountains with 85, if I went higher octane, the knock was virtually absent, and my truck required less input from the throttle on the same roads. I also noticed a slight pump in mpg. If I was going to be spending quite a bit of mileage above 7k ft, I went with higher octane fuel. 2014 Tacoma Double Cab V6 4.0.

[@trdtakeover]

Could definitely be beneficial to stick with 87 at high elevation for some vehicles. As another commentor mentioned, it's also possible you need a valve adjustment. Another point is that the Tacoma's owner's manual states that it is normal to hear some knocking when going uphill or accelerating.

[@nismo613]

That's because the minimum octane recommended is 87.

[@dahaze140]

Manual states 87 10 years later 87 it is! Running 💪 strong!

[@derekp6636]

Been using reg 87 for the last 98k miles and bought the truck brand new in 2017. I use the 86/85 in colorado/nm when at higher elevation but now I'll remember to make sure I burn it all over before going to lower elevation again.

[@roguewar88]

My 2014 tacoma manual says to use 87 or higher. I use 89. I noticed my taco likes it better that way, but I think I will be using 87 from now on because of cost.

[@trilingualkid]

acutally you can tell the difference between low octane and higher octane when it come to performance. My vehicle run very sluggish when it comes to using 87, its tune for both 87 and 93 but 93 seems to be on its toes (not like running rich) it just the acceleration doesnt seem like its lagging, and this has been proven. additionally if you have a Direct injection engine, higher octane may slow down carbon build up

[@jeeperwill6262]

Explain this? When a direct injection only system is used. Fuel doesn't pass over the back of the intake valves, but oil vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation system do. This causes the valve carbon problem. Oil vapors burning onto the back of a hot intake valve with the absence of fuel passing over it to clean it off. Hence why Toyota runs a dual system with both port (intake valve cleaning) and direct injection. Now, with non serviceable fuel filters, you should run a strong nitrogen based cleaner through your system once a year. This will also help to clean the tips of the injectors. If you have a direct injection only system. Running premium will achieve nothing to prevent intake valves from forming carbon build-up.

[@alejandrovaca7778]

Very true 👍🏼

[@trilingualkid]

@@jeeperwill6262 ....did you copy and and paste that? did you read my statement, I said it will slow down the carbon build up not prevent it.

[@trilingualkid]

@@josephsahagun7902 my car is direct injection V8, 87 or bad fuel definitely lags alot... although manufacture says its tune for 87 and 93, I prefer 93.

[@efil4kizum]

@@josephsahagun7902 but he does NOT drive YOUR vehicle so how does he know anything about this or that? maybe no gain but perhaps less W&T ?

[@Nails346]

If your gain in mileage (%) using higher octane is greater than the percentage extra cost then it is worthwhile using higher octane. My experience is Audi 3.0 l supercharged A6 2011 most recently and every other car I have owned is that high octane is a waste of money. This also holds true for my 2023 Tacoma 3.5 l. Higher octane yields very little mpg gain. Also the onboard computer can make adjustments for octane rating and you can be confident that the vehicle runs perfectly well with 87.

[@SonOfTheWild]

In Europe we have usually 2 grades: 95 as regular and 97 as premium. Are thise octains are calculated as same as in USA?

[@trdtakeover]

Nope, not the same. Different calculations. I believe I mention that briefly in the video.

[@SonOfTheWild]

Yep. Aftet Quick googling I have learned that EU uses RON method of calculation and America uses AKI method (RON+DON/2), so ours octains aren't the same. Conversion is: EU regular 95 is equle to America 89-91. It's comes out very informative to me - I'm shipping right now 3gen Taco to Poland.

[@Nails346]

The euro spec is RON which is a higher number than MON. Ron is research octane number and mon is a motor octane number. Ron is lab calc and mon is motor test. USA spec is Ron+mon/2 or an average of the two.

[@bobs2440]

Unless a vehicle has a knock sensor linked to the ignition advance, higher octane than the manufacturer recommends is NOT going to increase HP or torque. It is generally done on cars that recommend high octane as protection for when owners put in lower octane fuel. I do not know if the 3.5l Toyota engine has this but I suspect not, otherwise they would recommend a higher than 87 octane and note peak HP and Torque numbers based on the higher rating. My take on those who feel otherwise are either benefiting from better quality fuel additives or poor quality 87 octane fuels. To each his own, but the video seems spot on.

[@barryspotts9850]

For me we run 89 mid grade because 87 is not as powerful and is running as well if we can't get ethanol free gas. We like to run ethanol free.

[@efil4kizum]

i heard NO mention of ethanol blended in this video pres or did i miss it? either pros or cons or does not matter either way?

[@pvt.watson5]

Rec 90 or Ethanol Free gas is what gas used to be and doesn't tear up your engine due to the Ethanol. Furthermore, Rec 90 is actually Premium gas (93) but you wouldn't know that unless you deliver gas. Also, one brand isn't better than another. The additives/detergents are less than 1% and not worth the extra money. Stay away from mom and pop gas stations.

[@boston1450]

I use 87 octane. Put almost 70,000miles on 2020 and 11,000miles on 2023. Never had a issue. Never a ping... Easy excelleration - Equals happy truck...Put fuel in truck N drive it the speed limit N it will last a long time.

[@grinningchicken]

My Taco 4x4 v6 2017 is noticeably smoother accelerates better and gets slightly better gas mileage with premium. By slightly it’s 22-23 mpg highway to 23.5-24 mpg highway

[@thaddeuses2279]

I have used both 87 ane 91. 87 feels sluggish and it burns a lot faster. 91 runs way smoother and that alone is worth the extra $5 for full tank. People have spent more than that at McDonald's or Starbucks

[@dahaze140]

😂😂

[@pitbosskev]

In Canada it could easily be $15 per tank.

[@TacomaEscape]

Cool vid and info. I totally agree on using 87 octane like the manual says. On a side note: When you first START your truck for the day and drive forward without barely touching the gas pedal do you hear a noise from the ABS self-check system? Happens on mine the first 5-10ft everyday since i bought it in December. Been asking other users if it’s normal noise or not. Thanks for the feedback.

[@vinceortiz414]

Excellent explanation. I had a 99Civic that runs better on mid 87grade when on reg 85 it eng knocks. It turned out i need a valve adjustment. and all was fine at reg 85

[@trdtakeover]

Great point! Also, according to the owner's manual, it's normal for the Tacoma to have some engine knocking when accelerating or going uphill. I should've mentioned that in the video for people who think that their engine knocking is a result of using regular.

[@Kris-q4m]

My 3.5 V6 Tacoma's owner's manual says use Top Tier gas with an octane rating of 87 or higher.

[@trdtakeover]

Yep, I forgot to mention the Top Tier gas recommendation in this video.

[@DougVandegrift]

So 85 at 7000 ft? Here in Salt Lake City UT everyone uses 85 at 4000 ft.

[@Warg666]

I use 89o ONLY, the truck seems to like it better!~

[@jhondeepsea8498]

I noticed if you put 87 octane, the engine will ping and knock. It is best to run midgrade or 91 and get your fuel from a gas station that has gas makes a difference in the long run as the right clean and protect all internal parts.

[@araldf]

CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE INFORMATION IN YOUR VIDEO! What you mention is completely in accordance with what the manufacturer indicates on some Toyota´s dealership websites. It is also reiterated by the great "Car Care Nut" in a video he made specifically on that topic. Additionally, there are a couple of videos from CNBC Canada and another from the USA right here on KZbin in which they tested using specialized equipment with both gasolines in the same vehicle, interviewed an expert, and the vice president of the producers association,...and in conclusion, the same thing that you mentioned in this video is proven.

[@805kicks]

When I bought my 2023 Tacoma the sales man said only 87 cheap gas but dam I have to refill every two days 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@reggie2334able]

Are you serious? I just got a 23 taco a couple of months ago and I drive 52 miles to work and back getting around 19 1/2 to 20 miles to the gallon. and I live in Oregon and it is hilly as fuck out here it’s not like I live in Kansas where there’s no hills lol. and I just use regular 87.

[@805kicks]

Same here going to work is about 30miles 60 miles going and back plus if I go around town so that full tank 271 miles doesn’t last me 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@reggie2334able]

@@805kicks I usually have a little bit over a half a tank after a full week of driving to work but I do work a 4 10 hour schedule

[@davidr.1517]

I live in an area that's at about 7300 ft and I drop down to about 5300 sometimes. We have 86 not 87. Our altitude is probably why we have 86 and not 87 octane. I do have the Taylor Tune and my truck runs great. But.... I highly recommend using a Top Tier fule at least. Costco even has the Top Tier fuel.

[@trdtakeover]

Yep, Toyota recommends using TOP TIER in the owner's manual. I forgot to mention it in this video.

[@ZGC-k2v]

Using non-ethanol free gas ⛽️ any good?

[@trdtakeover]

Stay under E15 and you're good.

[@ZGC-k2v]

Thanks

[@terryhutchinson9094]

My Taco runs smoother with premium gas. With variable valve timing, higher octane allows for spark advance which provides a slight power increase and reduces any risk of detonation.

[@zacinnc78]

my 2022 4cyl taco has the torque convertor shutter (or what feels like that because it happnes right when lockup starts )but ive also heard that slight misfires can be exaccerbated when torque convertor locks up....heard several ppl on the forum say theirs ran better with higher octane so i tried 89(no diff)currently trying 93 and i swear it feels better (also the problem shows itself most when the ac is on and jsut when the TC starts locking )

[@CaptainJim1958]

Never had an issue with 87 Octane, 66k on my girl now, just occasionally add Lucas to clean out the injectors.

[@Shortbus164]

I have access to 100LL Avgas and considered using it 50/50 with 87 pump gas. While I haven't done it, yet, I know of a few people who have been doing it for years with no reported problems. Reason for it is that I can get it for free and it would cut my fuel costs in half if blended. Other than the low lead content potentially affecting the cats or sensors, not aware of any other concerns regarding the engine or performance. Thoughts?

[@trdtakeover]

Hmm I'm really not sure. Personally, I wouldn't risk it because of long-term engine health.

[@Shortbus164]

@tacomaexplorer fair approach. Didn't know if you had any deeper insights regarding how mixing the 2 octanes would affect the end values. I'd guess there'd be an increase over the 87, but not concerned with increased performance as much as I like paying less for my gas lol

[@erickim2025]

Thanks for good common sense info about an important subject.

[@hillbillyharvey4605]

It's amazing how many people just no matter how many different sources tell them still believe that premium gets you better mileage in a vehicle that doesn't require it. I work with an older guy who told me. I should use premium because I would get over 20% better fuel mileage. What a bunch of hogwash.😂

[@trdtakeover]

Haha that's crazy! Even if you got better fuel economy... The price probably cancels it out.

[@MichelleYred40]

Can putting premium gas in tank before smog make engine burn gas too rich?

[@mikem4432]

its not as much the octane as it is the additives in the gas.. so.. some stations have special high octane gas with additives made to clean deposits off the valves and even gunk in the lines.. but only certian gas stations that are certified TOP TIER™ Licensed Brands prominently display the TOP TIER™ logo on the pump, pump handle, canopy or in a station window. Running a tank of this once a month or so, helps maintain the fuel system clean especially the fuel atamizers or injectors that spray fuel into the pistons for combustion. the Taco has both injection and port.

[@michael184272]

Very interesting and informative video.. Are there any additives you recommend for cleaning your injectors and other fuel parts?

[@trdtakeover]

I have no immediate recommendations. Maybe a future post on our website!

[@efil4kizum]

@@trdtakeover i will occassionally drop some of the Lucas fuel treatment upper cylinder lubricant into this Gen1 5VZ-FE i wheel with over 340k miles... no idea if it has lubrication benefits or not... definitely NO increased MPGs have been observed

[@joshburts1044]

Ive tried regular, and premium (91). Didnt see much of a difference between the two. But agreed, premium is a waste of money. I dont see the point in doing a higher grade than the 87

[@bluelights3480]

I would just mention you should also use top teir gas as well.

[@BLAM777]

I was getting 21 to 22 + mpg with my tacoma sr5. I have had the truck for a couple of weeks now filled up today and it went to crap 15.4 on the highway today? Have no idea why.

[@efil4kizum]

those steelies are sharp on yer Gen3 Taco, not something i see everyday

[@deanjames2657]

I’m using a fisher system on my Tacoma, and so now I just run my Garden hose out to it… Love my Hydro Truck… LOL 😁

[@giantgeoff]

Yeah but how much are you paying for your Calcium Carbide? Back before there were white LEDs we used Mining headlamps for night hiking. Ever wonder why a company named Union Carbide started making Eveready Flashlight batteries?

[@markkennedy5335]

Use the octane the manufacturer recommends period

[@trdtakeover]

Yep exactly

[@rickringler5021]

Best explanation is higher octane will not give you more power, mileage or anything else. Using too low of octane could possibly give you less power, mileage etc. Why this happens is that should the knock sensor be activated by engine knock it will retard the ignition timing resulting in less performance etc. So using more octane than required is like pouring 10 oz of coffee on an 8 ounce cup, the extra you put in did nothing for you, it was wasted.

[@Gio-od7if]

Nice video, short and informative!

[@trdtakeover]

Thanks for watching! Many more videos coming.

[@canoeshoe]

whatever octane you use, the ECU needs to adjust to it. Your timing will need to advance or retard depending on the octane. That's why it may feel faster or sluggish but most of the time, it's in people's heads

[@nokianx400]

Higher octane will make engine run cooler, but engine uses a little more compared to lower octane

[@christrarback9748]

Whatever gas is recommended for Toyota. Unless it needs premium your pissing money away

[@barryspotts9850]

Not really. Let your car tell you what it needs and check the gas mileage and performance yourself. So if you drive with 87 octane and you try 89 octane with no difference stick with 87.

[@user-zs1fr7im6l]

Arizona always fun times ! 110 octane at the pump in Lake Havasu City , Arizona

[@electraglideclyde]

What does the manual say? You're welcome.

[@brianrader2883]

Tire pressure will also have effect!😅

[@brianrader2883]

Exon gas is the best midgrade sea level 23 to 25 pending on long trips of 200 miles +😮

[@reggie2334able]

To be honest, I worry more about the thin oil that it calls for.

[@trdtakeover]

I may do a video on this in the future.

[@efil4kizum]

shell V-Power Nitro?

[@superserial1]

I put 85 in my cars

[@Frontier2022]

ALL TURBOS I REPEAT ALL TURBOS need premium regardless of PR propaganda to try to suck you in to buy one.

[@trdtakeover]

I owned a turbocharged sports car for several years and it takes 87 octane (regular). Never had an issue.

[@jamespayne8471]

Yeah I have a 2013 Oldsmobile with a turbo in it and it even says to run on 87 and it runs just fine on 87

[@Gaberham]

Use your owners Manaul

[@wayne7805]

I tried to watch this video, but the guy voice 😮

[@mercsmith]

Call me crazy but read your owners manual. Toyota just might have the answer ( billions spent in R and D)

[@Jaredius]

Premium for less carbon buildup

[@ellerybice3787]

🫵🏻Octane this 🤮

[@jhondeepsea8498]

I noticed if you put 87 octane, the engine will ping and knock. It is best to run midgrade or 91 and get your fuel from a gas station that has top tear gas makes a difference in the long run as the right clean and protect all internal parts.

[@trdtakeover]

According the the owners manual, it is normal to hear engine knocking under certain conditions. If you are hearing engine knock under other conditions or with greater severity than normal, you should get it looked at by a mechanic. Using a higher octane grade is a bandaid in that situation. The root issue should be addressed.