Octane level of gas to run on 04 4runner

[frank69m]

Can people tell me what they use on their V6 and their V8's 91? 87? octane?

I heard you can use 87 on the V6's but might cause some pinging on spirited accelerations...

[Brian R.]

This thread has numerous discussions about necessary octane for new 4Runners.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/[email protected]

[VTISC007]

If you haven't heard any pinging yet and you've been using 87, I wouldn't worry about it. Most vehicles are designed to run fine off of 87. From my experience, here's what I do.
List of vehicles:1988 Toyota 4Runner V6 (87) unless in Mexico then (91), 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0L V8 (87) unless in Mexico then (91), 1998 Yamaha WR400 (91), 2000 Yamaha R1 (91).
What I'm trying to say is, there are some vehicles that don't need 91 or better yet, cannot burn 91. I don't know the exact terminology used but here's an example. Putting 91 in an old Ford Escort is not going to make it run any better, the engine doesn't have the ability to use the extra octane. The unused octane simply comes out of the exhaust. My motorcycle can easily burn 91, it has a high compression engine, yet it can run off of 87 but 91 feels better.
To sum it all up, if your vehicle cannot burn the extra octane, then those extra pennies at the pump will be converted into unused exhaust gases instead of horse power.
I heard this from two sources, a close relative that works for ExxonMobil and a report on the news a while back.
Read your manual it will tell you what gas you need.
Certain vehicles, such as many of the Lexus models that I've seen will say "Premium Unleaded Only".
I say, don't waste you money if you don't have to.

[Brian R.]

For my vehicles, I always experiment with different octanes and use the cheapest gas that make them run as well as premium. I have found that some manufacturers recommend the minimum octane possible, although the vehicle will get better mileage and more power with higher octane gas. You have to experiment to find out.

[havic]

Whats up with the new cars, it seems like most of them suggest that you run premium. It used to be that luxury cars suggested this, now cars made by nissan, honda, toyota suggest this as well. Is it because they try to squeeze out as much power as they can, thus changing fuel delivery (probably lean)? Or maybe the ULEV?

[Brian R.]

Might be because they need it to keep the preignition sensor from retarding the ignition timing and decreasing the power and gas mileage.

[kokopellidan]

My engine actually starts to ping unless I use 91 octane.

[frank69m]

Originally Posted by kokopellidan

My engine actually starts to ping unless I use 91 octane.

and you have a V6 03/04 4runner?

[VTISC007]

Originally Posted by kokopellidan

My engine actually starts to ping unless I use 91 octane.

Have you tried 89?

[Tomsriv]

Higher compression engines are more efficient. They get better mileage, thats why most European cars are made to run on premium. Personally I think the extra money spent on preimium offsets the money saved by using less fuel. For example a 4cyl that runs on preimum will often cost just as much to run as V6 that runs on 87. Of couse it depends on your driving too. If you drive in the city a lot a smaller engine is better because it uses less fuel while idleing.