Running 89 octane ethanol free fuel

I'm absolutely loving my 2024 TRD PRO. Just had my 5k service done, requested an oil change to go with the service, and received my 2nd key fob during that service yesterday. I've been running different grades of fuel to see what my truck likes the most. 89 octane ethanol free gas increases my mpg by almost 1.5 miles per gallon. Wawa sells it near me....for .25 more per gallon. So it's 2 octane higher than the minimum and free of ethanol. Truck loves it. Anyone else have any feedback on different octane fuels in their Tundras?

 

I’ve been using chevron gas only. 87 I get around 16mpg, 89 I get 17, and 91 I get 17. But the price difference doesn’t make it worth it.

 

I go 93 octane, but we are stuck with ethanol here in corn land

when I go to MN I use 93 ethanol free, truck runs awesome on that and gets better mpg.

 

All cars will get better mileage with non-ethanol gas. Unfortunately here, the additional cost of the non-ethanol gas is not offset by the increased mileage.
But the cost of Non-eth gas is well worth it for storage and small engines, especially 2 cycles. Ethanol gas can make a chain saw run lean and damage it.

 

I've heard some people say it's better to run an ethanol blend that is higher in octane. Like a 93 octane with 10% ethanol......due to the turbos. Not sure if there's truth to that. But the motor itself (not the turbos) seems smoother without ethanol.
I am considering keeping this truck for some time.....maybe run it up to 200,000 miles before trading. Therefore, fuel grade is a concern of mine for longevity.

 

my suggestion is to run the highest octane you can find locally at the pump 91-93 since its a high compression boosted motor, but that said, toyota knows what they are doing and 87 will run fine, it may or may not pull some timing according to some.

Im in the position (through hard work) that the extra cost isnt a big deal, but I also don't drive that much anymore thankfully. the days of 30-40K a year are over, woohoo.

also, use top tier fuel, that's important, and find a station that is well maintained. I take these fuel systems apart for a living partially and the old shitty ones have a shit load of sediment in the tanks, etc. so if the pump is slow, the fuel filter likely hasn't been changed enough.

 

Don’t waste your money on higher octane fuels, you won’t get more torque or power UNLESS you are usually driving in hot weather and/or towing. The reason is spark may be retarded when hot to stop knocking so higher octane fuels can allow more spark advance and more torque.

It would be interesting to do a cost-benefit analysis of ethanol free vs. regular 87. Based on the what you mentioned, it makes perfect financial sense to go ethanol free if you’re getting less than 20 mpg but you basically break even. The $/mi cost difference to run ethanol free vs. regular is less than half a cent per mile given the $0.25 difference between the two.

 

are you sure it only pulls on hot or towing on 87? Ive never really seen any data on it.

and while you won't get more torque , Im wondering if you may not get a reduction with 93 in cases where you might get a reduction in 87. Im sure your right , you won't go over the 479 for example without a tune, but maybe less of a drop with 93?

eitherway, I use 93, its not the big of deal for me

 

Usually spark is pulled when there is pre-detonation and knocking. Engine can’t know the octane so there are few parameters that affect spark timing like knocking.


I think the key here is to avoid timing retard from MBT spark timing. Toyota tuned this engine to run MBT timing using 87 so 93 will only help to get back to MBT where predetonation is the cause of corrective spark retard. Our octane rating is really AKI or anti-knock index.

 

thanks for the info

 

higher octane fuel is a waste of money. Run what manufacturer recommends. Ethanol is essentially filler so going 100 percent gas will give you a approximately 10 percent mpg spike. Most places like where I live the cost exceeds 10 percent so a no go price wise

 

some chevrons in Canada still carry ethanol free but it’s usually the 94 octane.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Shell, Chevron, and Exxon have their own proprietary additive, while the Valeros, Quicktrip, Marathon, Pilot, Wawa, and Buckees use a generic top tier additive.

 

depends on the province? In Manitoba ALL fuel contains ethanol.

 

same in Manitoba. Premium fuel used to be ethanol free. Now all fuel has it. Premium is 5%. Now I use Aspen or trufuel for all my small engines.

 

Ethanol doesn't release as much energy as gasoline when burned. So ethanol blends will always reduce the MPG compared to pure gasoline.

 

7Fid, which Wawa sells ethanol free ? I'm in NJ.......Kid

 

I had no idea top tier was a thing. I skimmed over it in the manual. Looks like there may be something to it. I use petro can for no reason other than a 3 cent a litre discount.

lots of shell and co op to choose from in Winnipeg. I don’t bother with Costco gas. Lineups are too long and my time is worth more than the savings, and you likely burn more fuel waiting than you save, lol

 

Octane is for only for preventing spark knock. It does not increase horsepower.
Every engine no matter the type or size thats built in the US or imported is required by US law to be E10 compliant.
Several forms of racing convert engines to E85 for increased horsepower.

 

I don’t think anyone is saying it’s increases power, but rather loses less under certain conditions. What those conditions are is the conversation piece , but there doesn’t seem to be real data for this

 

Here is some good info: https://youtu.be/oVIrebbfdlA?si=TAWFntUc1TDJ67J2

also something not being mentioned, ethanol gas volume is larger than gasoline so it helps with turbo spool. One reason why many switch to E85 in performance turbo vehicles.

 

That sucks. BC seems to have it available but I’ve only seen it at chevron and not at all locations.
I’ll use it when doing some long towing in the mountains. Definitely runs better in tough conditions.

 

all gas in Canada must contain ethanol. Likely an old label

 

Damn my hopes have been dashed.

 

What do you mean by ethanol gas volume is larger than gasoline?

 

Ethanol is a cheap way to stretch gas volume and octane, was supposed to reduce emissions and help farmers make a $. Here in NJ we have 93 premium that's 10% ethanol. There is a station near me that sells 90 octane ethanol free gas but not worth the difference in price for our trucks-as others have stated great for small engines and anything with a carburetor or that sits alot. I try to run Shell or Exxon as they are not only top tier but go further with deposit resisting and removing additives than other top tier gas...Wawa is usually pretty fresh due to volume but is NOT top tier. I tried 2 tanks of 93 on trips and found it does make a slight difference in mileage, max 1 mpg so definitely not worth it for daily use. A buck a gallon or close is the average gaff I see for 93 over 87. Felt like it was easier to get up a hill without getting into more throttle or boost...probably in my head but if the ecu is giving 10 degrees additional timing or not pulling 10 degrees that would equal a little more power at a given rpm and load which at cruise is 1500-1800. To land the plane ethanol contains less energy by volume so it will hurt mileage slightly as it takes more volume for the same amount of energy.

 

It's almost like the pricing is done on purpose, isn't it?

I generally run 89 in both the Tundra and 4Runner. The 4Runner especially seems to be a bit smoother on 89 vs 87. Don't notice much difference in the Tundra, but it's habit from the 4R so I just stick with it. If I find ethanol free I'll run it, even though it's usually 91-93 octane. Don't recall ever seeing 89 ethanol free.

 

There’s more exhaust gas volume with ethanol. It’s a small difference but can be noticeable with higher ethanol content.

 

For a 2024 v6, if I'm looking for engine longevity first, then mileage, then cost/gallon last, what's the best? I can get everything with ethanol, and then 87 without and sometimes 89 without. I live at 5,400' above sea level and drive to 8,500 regularly. Not towing anything.

 

Our Costco here in Ukiah has short lines, seldom more than one car waiting. Top Tier gas also as well as best prices in town.

Dan