Fuel grade mileage difference

Good morning all and Merry Christmas

Just filled up my tank for the 3rd time since buying it and noticed something n just wanted get your guys thoughts. Last time I filled up my tank it was 1/2 empty and I filled it with 89octane, cluster showed just under 600miles on the range. This morning I filled up with 87octane at 3/4 empty and range is showing 553.

Does the octane rating really make that much of a difference? Anyone else getting the same results? I know it's likely dependant on current MPG reading but am I being too picky here?



This is my first vehicle with a digital cluster that shows all this mileage info so my mind is blown at seeing all of this. Like fire has just been invented

 

I don’t believe the mileage range changes based off octane. I changes frequently…it seems to base it off of driving habits and average mpg’s IMHO.

 

Haha yeah that's what I was thinking. I edited my post as you were responding. Maybe I'm just being too picky, my current MPG was reading 13.5 at time of fill up this morning. I should've taken note of mpg at the 89 fillup.

 

Add the fact that Tundras are as aerodynamic as a brick. I have seen up to 3 MPG difference on the same 200 mile drive due to wind direction and speed.

 

With any vehicle I’ve owned, I have always noticed a difference in fuel mileage between different quality of fuels (top tier gas stations) Usually only a 1/2 to 3/4 mpg difference. I have never noticed a significant difference using different octane ratings unless it’s in a small engine application like a 2 stroke, they don’t like the ethanol content in this new cheap gas. The crap doesn’t even smell the same anymore

 

Range estimate is based off last average mpg. So if you got an average of say 15mpg at the time of fill up, your range would be base on 15mpg. If the next time you filled up your average was 17mpg your range would be higher. Stick to 87, this has been beat to death and there is no mpg gains considering the extra cost of the fuel.

 

Hello @TacomaTRD4x402

Just an FYI - MPG is one of the biggest most posted in here. I tried to find the 1,000 post thread but failed. (Not giving you crap at all, just sharing that a search will yeild a million hits.)

As for octane, it makes no difference in power or MPG unless you get supercharged.

Also, your truck's stock air box is the best setup unless you get supercharged. So no mpg or power savings to be found there.

 

That is a lie. I gained 10HP/15TQ and 2MPG with an aftermarket CAI. The manufacturer even has the Dyno sheet to prove it.

 

I'm glad the manufacturer' dyno sheet made you feel better about your purchase. Cause they don't lie at all to sell products...

One of many threads that support my post. Believe what/who you want .

https://www.tundras.com/threads/best-worst-cold-air-intake-for-the-2020-tundra.129922/

 

Ethanol free here is same octane as regular unleaded. It is all I use in small 2 cycles and ATV. I mix my own. Not paying $20/gallon for True Fuel

 

Thank you for that explanation, it definitely makes a lot of sense considering MPG changes based on driving habits like @Oey12 stated.

I totally understand the search feature, I do typically use it most of the time and bring back threads from the dead. I 100% agree with you on keeping the stock air box. I have an AFE "cold" air intake on my '02 Tacoma and totally regret doing that so mistakes I've made and learned from on that truck I'm using to make right decisions on my Tundra Luckily though I still got my air box for my Taco that's gonna go right back in.

I did however drop in an AFE dry filter. That's all I'm gonna do as far as air intake goes.

 

My post was sarcasm.

 

The AFE is good for ease of maintenance. It is also an all around good filter also. I use to have one on my previous tundra.

 

Yeah I agree, especially the dry air filter. I ended up buying 2 of them, ehh just so I can swap them out with zero downtime.
I ran the k&n for several years on my Taco and would find the throttle body/butterfly valve to be pretty dirty with likely oil from the filter. Sure I probably over oiled or didn't give it enough time to dry which is why I'd rather run dry now. Just soap and water n let dry. Just my preference

 

lol

 

We have big ol’ dumb motors. I’ve ran 87, 89, and 92 octane for extended periods of time since buying my truck. With 147K on the odometer, I can say that there is zero significance in performance or mileage. Empty, or towing.

I’ve tried different fuel grades for months at a time when my truck was stock, and also since regearing and tuning. Nada….

From a fella that doesn’t pay for his own fuel, I say save the 20-40 cents per gallon and keep on keeping on.

 

It's not easier than just throwing the old one out and putting a new one in.

 

Depends on how you see it. You have to order it, wait for it to get to you, then throw away the old and install the new. Or drive to auto parts/dealer, buy it then go back home and replace. Or open the air box up, which you have to do anyways, blow it with air or wash it down and reinstall. Take your pick, it's not rocket science or is it like working a construction job. It's an air filter.

 

“rocket surgery”.

 

Hi everyone, I'm revisiting this thread with another question with almost the same topic but a slightly different question, this time it's in regards to the tank average showing on my cluster versus my head unit. Anyone know why they are different? Are they not the same thing? Which one is true? Thanks

 

The reading on the cluster is averaging your MPG in adjustable ways. For example, the picture of mine was taken as a average for trip. Shut off the truck and it resets

The infotainment screen is an average over a much, much longer time period. It requires being reset on the infotainment screen menus

 

Notice the bottom image says "tank" average.

 

I know this is a topic where many may share different opinions but what are your guys thoughts on fuel "quality" from different locations?

Reason I ask is because I recently came upon the ability to fuel up at Sam's Club using a family members membership where as before I was fueling up only at Chevron. I would be saving almost $1 a gallon by fueling at Sam's Club. I did hear from only 1 person that Sam's club may not be the best quality. What are your guys thoughts about that gas specifically? Or is gas just gas wherever you go?

 

I don't remember if it was on this forum or one of the others that I belong to but a guy that works in the business commented on this. He stated that all gas is the same with the exception of some additives that are added when they blend it at the terminal. I have been using Murphy Mart gas for probably 20 years with no problems. Only time I ever had a confirmed gas problem was ExxonMobil. I had a 1987 F150 with dual tanks. Gas in tanks was purchased at different times. I was headed up a hill and truck started to miss. I switched tanks and it smoothed out.

 

this.

all gas is the same. all the trucks get it from central terminals.

the "add-pack" is the only diff. and that is usually a quart of whatever is put into the tanker at time of fill up. think "techron".

get your gas from a high volume station to assuage any "issues". Costco/Sams are high volume.

I have used Costco gas from purchase of my 2020.

87 octane before S/C. 93 octane made ZERO difference in mileage.
93 octane after S/C.

When it was getting tuned at Peitz Performance...he asked what gas I used...He said Costco gas was GTG.

 

https://www.carfax.com/blog/top-tie...m include,amounts to minimize engine deposits.

I've never noticed any kind of difference in performance or fuel economy by using different stations. I've also never done a study with all things being constant except the changing variable being the fuel brand.

I fill up at a half tank and move on with my day.

 

My observed MPD (miles per dollar) is about 25-30% better on 87 than on 93.

 

Never heard of it put that way, MPD. But that is a really good way to look at it and see if something is worth the cost.

 

Funny you mention Costco. When I was tuning with OTT I told them that’s what I used and they told me they’ve seen lots of bad gas from them. I keep using it.

Only time I’ve ever had bad gas was one time from a chevron station that was regularly busy.

I used to care about what gas I put in but these days, I’ve got to much else in life going on to worry about it and the statistics of getting a bad tank are so low that I don’t even care anymore.

 

rough maths.

if you get 15 mpg on 87 octane...you would need 18.3mpg to breakeven on Miles Per Dollar.

or thereabouts.



for you diesel folks.
rough maths...you need to get 20.82mpg to breakeven vs. a 15mpg Tundra.
our new 2500 Denalis get 19mpg avg.