Toyota Tundra Tips: Premium Gas vs. Regular
Jason | Aug 02, 2007 | Comments 12
Here’s the deal: Toyota recommends 87 octane for the new Tundra. In most states, that’s the lowest octane available. Because the Tundra was designed for the lowest octane, you should only use the lowest octane available, regardless of the engine you have. If you live at high altitude, you can even use 85 octane with no problems.
But wait — what about better engine performance? Or better gas mileage? These claims (typically made by the gas companies) are bogus. While there may be some slight benefits to using high octane fuel, the extra cost doesn’t justify the extra expense. Don’t believe it? We found this article that explains exactly why Tundra owners shouldn’t buy premium.
However there is one benefit to premium that the Car Guys didn’t mention: Most high octane fuel contains detergents that will clean your fuel system. These detergents are similar to (but less concentrated than) a bottle of gas treatment that you would buy at the auto parts store. Fuel system treatments are good preventative maintenance — over time, impurities will deposit themselves at the natural “choke” points in your fuel system. Typically, that’s your injectors and your fuel pump. Eventually these deposits can foul an injector, reducing fuel economy and performance. In fact, if the injectors become too dirty they will require replacement. So cleaning your fuel system is a good idea.
But the problem with using premium gas to clean your truck’s fuel system is that price difference between a full tank of premium and a full tank of regular is more than enough to buy a bottle of fuel system cleaner and pour it in yourself. But that’s assuming you remember to do it. If you’re like a lot of people, buying fuel system cleaner isn’t on your list of priorities. If you’re the type that forgets to do these things, then buying premium gas once a year will keep the fuel system clean enough.
Bottomline: Because the Tundra was designed to run on plain old low octane gas, adding higher octane has little or no benefit. Unless you don’t want to mess with putting some fuel system cleaner in your truck every 20k miles or so, there’s no reason to fill your new Toyota Tundra with premium gas. Take that Exxon!!
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[...] of how it relates to the Tundra. Car Talk’s explanation (pics and everything): Car Talk Our Premium v. Regular Tundra Tip is that premium fuel typically does include some fuel system cleaners, so it might be worth running [...]
ACTUALLY I have found after testing this out 3 seperate times that premium gas gives me 2 mpg better at 70 to 75 mph. I average 20.9 mpg at 70 to 75 mph from Central Louisiana to East Central Texas on I-10. I got that EXACT reading all three times. I tested the same trip 3 times on regular and averaged 18.4 for the 3 trips. Same speed, Same direction of travel (west), Using only Shell brand fuel, and I alternated the tests between premium and Regular. I drive a 07 Tundra DC 5.7L stock. If you run through all the math at a 20 cent a gallon bonus cost per gallon it cost me 4 bucks extra but I can go about 50 miles farther on the same 20 gallons netting me a better than $6 savings so I make $2 per tank. now if it is a .25 or .30 per gallon extra cost it washes out the savings but it is a economic savings most of my time to put premium in. I owned a 01 RAV 4 before I purchased this truck and it would average about 1 MPG better. My only guess for this is that the VVTI can adjust itself for better use of the Premium.
the other two comments are very good. the reason premium can increase gas mileage and power is that most new trucks have almost 10 to 1 compression ratio which will cause detonation and blow holes in the pistons. to stop this a knock(detonation) sensor decreases the ignition timing only when the truck is working hard. like high speed, high heat, towing, wide open throatle(wot)etc. priemium fuel stops detonation. and can let you get better Mpg and power.
And i thought it was ’cause the magic monkeys were happier.
There is NO reason to use premium gas in a vehicle that is designed to use regular (87 octane). The detergent levels in gasolines is federal directed and is enough in ALL grades to keep vital parts deposit free, especially in “top tier” gasolines. Pay attention to your owners manual and use as directed. These folks designed the vehicle and know best. Save your money in both gas choice and additives.
Virg, Read above comments. Learn.
the manual says 87 is recommended but also says premium was used in testing
Jeremy, I have learned. That’s why I use the fuel the owner manual recommends. That’s also why I drink tap water instead of $10 per gallon bottled water like so many “hip” folks do.
Toyota Tundra (2005) fuel – accelerating problems.
From a full tank of gas until it is half full, I have no problems with accelerating. The truck runs like a scared rabbit!! Problems occur when the gas tank is at half full or less. When accelerating (aggressively), the engine hesitates. The engine rpm will drop from 3,000 rpm down to about 1,500 rpm rather than accelerating to 4,000 – 5,000 rpm. There are no fuel filters (according to the dealer) that could be plugged. I thought it was water in the fuel and have run 3 tanks of gas with ‘Water in Fuel’ remover. I have also run a couple of tanks of premium gas with no changes. The next item to look at is the fuel pump unless someone has a better idea (and cheaper).
Wade – Sure sounds like a fuel pump to me.
Let me clear the CR*P up… lower octane fuel has a higher energy to mass ratio. Lower octane = better fuel economy. The end… Higher octane = lower energy to mass ratio and more resistance to detonation. The ONLY reason for higher octane is to prevent damage to your pistons / engine. Higher octane is more resistant to premature detonation and allows for machines designed with a higher compression ratio prior to spark being introduced to the cylinder. Why? because a higher compression ratio equals a higher performance engine. Don’t buy high octane unless you experience engine “knock”. Sorry guys but chemistry don’t lie
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And reality is an even better measure. I got better mileage. A man with an experiance is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an argument.
BTW, the reduced predetonation tendency allows for more agressive timing. This increases power at specific rpm’s allowing the engine to not have to work as hard. Thus the Honda dual HP ratings on the engine in the minivan several years ago. I agree that in a lab you are right but the complexities of the modern engine sometimes surpass the sum of the numbers. Any way, I DO get better mileage from both my van and my Truck with premium on the highway, in town they both just drink like a angry camel.