The new Tundra should only be fueled with 87 octane, according to Toyota. That is the lowest octane that is typically offered. Regardless of the engine you have, you should only use the lowest octane available because the Tundra was made to run on it. Even 85 octane is safe to use if you reside at a high altitude.
What about improved engine performance, though? or more fuel efficiency? These assertions, which are frequently made by gas companies, are false. Using high octane fuel may have a few small advantages, but the additional cost isn’t worth it. You don’t think so? We discovered this post that details precisely why Tundra owners ought not to purchase premium.
However, the Car Guys neglected to emphasize one advantage of premium: The majority of high-octane fuels have detergents in them, which will clean your fuel system. These cleaners are comparable to (but less potent than) a bottle of gas treatment you might get from an auto parts store. Treatments for the fuel system are a helpful form of maintenance. Impurities build up over time at the built-in “choke points” in your fuel system. That usually refers to your fuel pump and injectors. These deposits may eventually clog an injector, lowering fuel efficiency and performance. In fact, the injectors will need to be replaced if they get too unclean. Accordingly, it makes sense to clean your fuel system.
However, the cost difference between a full tank of premium petrol and a full tank of normal is greater than enough to purchase a bottle of fuel system cleanser and manually pour it into your truck. However, that is presuming you will remember to do it. Purchasing fuel system cleaner probably isn’t high on your priority list if you’re like most individuals. Once a year of premium gas purchases will suffice to maintain the fuel system clean if you’re the kind that tends to forget to perform these things.
Conclusion: Adding higher octane has little to no advantage because the Tundra was created to run on regular low octane fuel. There is no reason to fill your new Toyota Tundra with premium gas, unless you don’t want to bother with the hassle of adding some fuel system cleanser to your truck every 20k miles or so. Exxon, be gone!
In This Article...
Can 87 and 91 gas be combined?
Yes, drivers are allowed to mix the two fuel kinds. According to The Drive, the mixture of gas types will produce an octane level somewhere in the center, which the vehicle “will survive.
What happens if 87 octane fuel is used in a 93 octane vehicle?
Do not become alarmed if the manufacturer of your automobile or truck suggests premium fuel for your vehicle but you instead use normal. Even though premium is advised, you are not required to use it; the engine can run just as well on standard gas.
You can run into issues if you use standard fuel when your manufacturer calls for premium. How well your car or truck will handle normal petrol depends on the sophistication of your fuel system as well as other elements like how your engine is tuned, what the timing is, and how hot it runs. Most of the time, the car will run just fine, although you might notice less power and reduced gas mileage. Because the fuel isn’t burning properly in more acute cases, you might hear engine banging or valve chatter. You should take it to your mechanic because these things might harm your engine.
What gas is preferable, 87, 89, or 93?
ATLANTA
Half of the east coast is experiencing a fuel scarcity as a result of the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack. Due to this, many gas stations are experiencing shortages, higher gas prices, and gallon restrictions.
Many people have inquired as to the distinction between standard grade and premium fuel as some gas stations only carry standard grade fuel due to fuel shortages.
In order to determine the risks associated with not using the proper fuel in your car, our VERIFY team consulted with the experts.
WHAT WE KNOW
A standard grade 87 or 89 is advised for the majority of vehicles on the road. It’s perfectly fine to fill a normal vehicle with premium gas between 90 and 93. According to auto experts, using premium fuel won’t harm a basic automobile in any way.
Does premium fuel make your engine cleaner?
No, premium gas is not a magic cleaner for engines. Carbon build-up is the fundamental issue with engine maintenance and can occur over time with all fuel types if regular maintenance is neglected. The good news is that detergents can somewhat minimize carbon deposits in both normal and premium gas. If you choose premium products, the detergents might be stronger. Nevertheless, having your car professionally serviced is the key to a clean fuel system.
How many octane should I use?
The octane rating of a fuel is represented by the numbers 91, 95, and 98. The amount of compression the fuel can withstand before igniting is determined by this. The compression increases as the number rises.
High-performance engines may produce greater power from a high-octane fuel by using more compression. However, the design of the engine is to blame rather than the energy contained in the fuel.
Engines are built by auto manufacturers to run on fuel with a minimum octane rating. Therefore, you shouldn’t use a fuel that has a rating that is lower than advised. Putting 91 in a car that takes 95, for instance. However, doing the opposite—using 95 in a vehicle designed for 91—should be acceptable.
If you’re unsure of your vehicle’s minimum octane rating, check the fuel flap’s inside. When it reads “Only unleaded gasoline signifies that 91 octane fuel is acceptable. A fuel flap that reads “Only premium unleaded is allowed, thus you must use 95 or more. You must use 98 if the fuel flap instructs you to do so.
Incorrect fuel octane levels can interfere with the ignition process and result in loud pinking or pinging, which can potentially harm your engine.
Can I fuel my Toyota Tundra with E85?
Only Solution. Only our Sequoia FFV and Tundra may use E85 (Flex Fuel Vehicles). E85 fuel can harm an engine or emission system when used in vehicles that aren’t made for it.
How can I improve the fuel economy of my Toyota Tundra?
Tundra MPG: 7 Ways to Increase Your Fuel Economy
- 1) Be a granny when you drive.
- 2) Keep your speed low.
- Check your tires, third.
- 4) Keep your tailgate in place.
- 5) Keep up with routine maintenance.
- 6) Search for extra weight you can shed.
- 7) Take fewer longer journeys less frequently.
Is premium fuel actually worthwhile?
Why spend a lot of money on something you don’t require? Premium petrol costs around 50 cents more per gallon than regular gas and doesn’t affect vehicles that can’t use it in any way. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that, “In most circumstances, using gasoline with a higher octane rating than your owner’s manual suggests delivers absolutely no benefit. It won’t improve the efficiency, performance, speed, or mileage of your vehicle.
In order to clean your engine and improve performance, the detergent additives in your gasoline are significantly more significant than the octane rating. Every shop offers a unique mixture of additives that are applied to all grades. For instance, Chevron’s Techron is available in both their normal and premium gas.
Some people hold themselves to a higher standard when it comes to additives. The Top Tier Gasoline standard, which requires a higher-percentage of detergent additive than the EPA minimum criteria, was developed with the assistance of BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Audi. They contend that lesser detergent additive concentrations may cause greater deposits to form on engine parts like the intake valves and fuel injectors. As a result, emissions may rise and engine performance may be affected. j
Premium Gas Offers Better Performance
This myth is partially true and partially false. The majority of automobiles operate at the same level of performance whether you use standard or premium petrol. You’ll only notice a noticeable difference between the two with particular car models and engine types.
You Need to Use Premium Gas if It’s in Your Car Manual
This myth also rests on circumstantial evidence. Many automakers, like GMC, Ram trucks, and the works, will indicate in the owner’s manual for some of their cars whether they advise or demand the use of premium gasoline. What counts is how these two terms differ from one another.
There are certain advantages to using premium gas when the manual advises against it, but using regular gas won’t hurt your car. It won’t void your warranty in this situation either. Premium gas could potentially improve the performance of these vehicles.
But if the owner’s handbook specifies premium fuel, it signifies the engine does really require higher octane levels to operate properly. Using conventional fuel in these vehicles could potentially harm the engine, and your warranty won’t cover these damages.
Make sure you carefully study your owner’s manual before buying a new or used automobile to make the best decision. Save yourself the money if it’s not necessary.
Premium Gas Lasts Longer
So, is premium fuel more durable? This appears to be a lure of using the ostensibly higher grade fuel for many people. Who among us wouldn’t like to visit the petrol station less frequently?
Regrettably, premium gasoline contains nothing that would extend its shelf life relative to other fuels purchased at the pump. Since the higher octane levels are what set them apart, the only true advantage is a decreased risk of engine knocking, which poses no danger with most contemporary fuel systems.
Premium Gas Cleans Your Engine
This myth is untrue, much like the idea of living longer. The majority of engines are effective in removing residue. You’re in better shape keeping up with routine maintenance checks if you’re worried about the cleanliness of your vehicle’s components.
What happens if 89 gasoline is placed in a 91 vehicle?
When a vehicle manufacturer specifies premium fuel, it’s because the fuel system of that specific vehicle is built to function best with higher octane fuel. In an engine that needs premium fuel, using normal petrol could violate your warranty. That is most likely to occur if repeated use results in severe engine knocking or pinging (premature fuel ignition, also known as detonation), which harms the pistons or other engine components. Other issues, such as worsened engine performance and poorer fuel economy, may result from using the incorrect gasoline.
As an illustration, the following is what GM states about the matter in the owner’s guide for a car that needs premium:
91 or higher posted octane premium unleaded gasoline should be used. If the octane level is below 91, you risk damaging the engine and voiding the warranty on your car. When using gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or above, the engine requires maintenance if loud banging is observed.
Keep in mind that this only applies to engines that demand premium gas. Although some manufacturers advise using premium gas, you can also use standard or mid-grade gas. Usually, they mention that using gas with a lower octane rating could affect performance and fuel efficiency. They advise using premium when that starts to become noticeable, or if engine knock starts to happen.