Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma??

"Gareth" wrote in message

> mrv.DeleteThis@kluge.net wrote:
>> On Sep 9, 4:46 pm, Gareth wrote:
>>> Told many different things by many people. Will the 2007 Tundra and
>>> Tacoma run just fine on regular gas?
>>
>> If you go to Toyota's FAQ site, http://toyota.custhelp.com/ and search
>> for "octane" you can find this question: "What is the minimum octane
>> rating gasoline that I should use in my vehicle?"
>> For the current year Toyota Tacoma (4 cylinder and V6) and Tundra,
>> that's 87 octane.
>>
>> (Of course, that's for US residents, using the (R+M)/2 method.)
>>
>> If you weren't sure, you could've also looked in your owner's manual
>> for the proper octane ratings.
>>
>> If your car is experiencing engine knock, then you should go up a
>> grade in octane.
>>
>> Octane is a measure of the fuel's ability to resist pre-detonation (or
>> engine knock).
>>
>> Higher octane gasoline doesn't mean that it is necessarily cleaner or
>> better. "Premium" is a mis-nomer. All gasoline sold in the US must
>> meet certain federal EPA clean-burning guidelines. However, some
>> individual brands _may_ decide to only put the extra cleaners in their
>> higher-octane fuel (as I've heard of some brands advertising low-
>> sulfur gasoline as only in their Premium line).
>>
>> A higher octane gasoline actually has lower BTUs (energy content) than
>> a lower octane gasoline, so the only way that you'd see better fuel
>> economy by going up in octane is if you were previously using lower
>> than recommended octane in your car...
>>
>> If your car's owner's manual says that you need to use a higher than
>> regular octane, you should follow that. (Pre-detonition over time can
>> cause harm to the engine.) However, every once and a while you could
>> use lower than the premium fuel, and get away with it...
>>
>> Anyhow, I highly recommend:
>> http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut12.shtm - US Federal
>> Trade Commission's Facts for Consumers - "The Low-Down on High Octane
>> Gasoline"
>>
>> History Channel's "Modern Marvels" episode titled "Gasoline"
>>
>
> I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
> Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
> elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but am
> strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I can
> find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and it is a
> wonderful product.
> Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>
> gary

Toyota can't be any more specific because they have no control over the
quality of the gas you buy. About the only thing they could add to their
guidelines would be to close the windows and shut off the radio regularly,
so you can hear any new sounds the car might be making, including engine
knock.
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

"mrsteveo" wrote in message

> On Sep 10, 9:21 am, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
>> "Gareth" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > m....DeleteThis@kluge.net wrote:
>> >> On Sep 9, 4:46 pm, Gareth wrote:
>> >>> Told many different things by many people. Will the 2007 Tundra and
>> >>> Tacoma run just fine on regular gas?
>>
>> >> If you go to Toyota's FAQ site,http://toyota.custhelp.com/and search
>> >> for "octane" you can find this question: "What is the minimum octane
>> >> rating gasoline that I should use in my vehicle?"
>> >> For the current year Toyota Tacoma (4 cylinder and V6) and Tundra,
>> >> that's 87 octane.
>>
>> >> (Of course, that's for US residents, using the (R+M)/2 method.)
>>
>> >> If you weren't sure, you could've also looked in your owner's manual
>> >> for the proper octane ratings.
>>
>> >> If your car is experiencing engine knock, then you should go up a
>> >> grade in octane.
>>
>> >> Octane is a measure of the fuel's ability to resist pre-detonation (or
>> >> engine knock).
>>
>> >> Higher octane gasoline doesn't mean that it is necessarily cleaner or
>> >> better. "Premium" is a mis-nomer. All gasoline sold in the US must
>> >> meet certain federal EPA clean-burning guidelines. However, some
>> >> individual brands _may_ decide to only put the extra cleaners in their
>> >> higher-octane fuel (as I've heard of some brands advertising low-
>> >> sulfur gasoline as only in their Premium line).
>>
>> >> A higher octane gasoline actually has lower BTUs (energy content) than
>> >> a lower octane gasoline, so the only way that you'd see better fuel
>> >> economy by going up in octane is if you were previously using lower
>> >> than recommended octane in your car...
>>
>> >> If your car's owner's manual says that you need to use a higher than
>> >> regular octane, you should follow that. (Pre-detonition over time can
>> >> cause harm to the engine.) However, every once and a while you could
>> >> use lower than the premium fuel, and get away with it...
>>
>> >> Anyhow, I highly recommend:
>> >>http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut12.shtm- US Federal
>> >> Trade Commission's Facts for Consumers - "The Low-Down on High Octane
>> >> Gasoline"
>>
>> >> History Channel's "Modern Marvels" episode titled "Gasoline"
>>
>> > I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
>> > Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
>> > elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but
>> > am
>> > strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I can
>> > find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and it
>> > is a
>> > wonderful product.
>> > Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>>
>> > gary
>>
>> Toyota can't be any more specific because they have no control over the
>> quality of the gas you buy. About the only thing they could add to their
>> guidelines would be to close the windows and shut off the radio
>> regularly,
>> so you can hear any new sounds the car might be making, including engine
>> knock.
>
> Stupid question perhaps but, how do you tell if you have knocking?
> I've listened to my vehicle when it's quiet outside and inside and
> have never heard anything but I don't know what I would listen for
> anyway.
>
> For what it's worth, at idle sometimes the car is so quiet I wonder if
> it's died on me. It idles that quietly. And on that note, I have
> never heard anything short of the injectors making their normal
> sounds.
>
> Maybe there is a YouTube video showing what knocking looks/sounds like?
>

Based on my experience, it's most noticeable when accelerating. Sounds like
ticking.

More:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1996/February/12.html

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/premium/questions.html

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1996/August/08.html
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

On Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:35:23 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
>"mrsteveo" wrote...

>> Stupid question perhaps but, how do you tell if you have knocking?
>> I've listened to my vehicle when it's quiet outside and inside and
>> have never heard anything but I don't know what I would listen for
>> anyway.
>>
>> For what it's worth, at idle sometimes the car is so quiet I wonder if
>> it's died on me. It idles that quietly. And on that note, I have
>> never heard anything short of the injectors making their normal
>> sounds.
>
>Based on my experience, it's most noticeable when accelerating. Sounds like
>ticking.
>
>More:
>http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1996/February/12.html
>http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/premium/questions.html
>http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1996/August/08.html

Sounds like several glass marbles being moderately shaken in a small
coffee can. A rapid fire rattle that gets louder the harder you stomp
on the Loud Pedal.

On well soundproofed cars you will have to roll down the windows to
hear it, but then it should be audible.

Any injector or valve ticking will vary with RPM, but not with
throttle application.

--<< Bruce >>--
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

mack wrote:
> "Gareth" wrote in message
>
>> mrv.TakeThisOut@kluge.net wrote:
>>
>> I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
>> Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
>> elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but am
>> strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I can
>> find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and it is a
>> wonderful product.
>> Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>>
>> gary
>
> The dealer doesn't know where to find an owner's manual? Is this a Toyota
> dealer or a used car dealer ?
> If it's a Toyota dealer, he might go so far as to look in one of his cars'
> glove compartment, don't you think?
> And failing everything else, how about going to a Toyota dealer and asking
> him the octane requirement?
>
>

It was a Toyota dealer.
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

"Gareth" wrote in message

> mack wrote:
>> "Gareth" wrote in message
>>
>>> mrv RemoveThis @kluge.net wrote:
>>>
>>> I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
>>> Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
>>> elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but
>>> am strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I
>>> can find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and
>>> it is a wonderful product.
>>> Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>>>
>>> gary
>>
>> The dealer doesn't know where to find an owner's manual? Is this a
>> Toyota dealer or a used car dealer ?
>> If it's a Toyota dealer, he might go so far as to look in one of his
>> cars' glove compartment, don't you think?
>> And failing everything else, how about going to a Toyota dealer and
>> asking him the octane requirement?
>
> It was a Toyota dealer.

The parts department should be able to order you an owner's manual. And, if
the customer service sucks that bad at the dealership, I wouldn't give them
another dime's worth of business after getting the manual.
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

On Sep 11, 8:20 am, Gareth wrote:
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> > "Gareth" wrote in message
> >
> >> mack wrote:
> >>> "Gareth" wrote in message
> >>>
> >>>> m....TakeThisOut@kluge.net wrote:
>
> >>>> I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
> >>>> Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
> >>>> elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but
> >>>> am strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I
> >>>> can find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and
> >>>> it is a wonderful product.
> >>>> Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>
> >>>> gary
> >>> The dealer doesn't know where to find an owner's manual? Is this a
> >>> Toyota dealer or a used car dealer ?
> >>> If it's a Toyota dealer, he might go so far as to look in one of his
> >>> cars' glove compartment, don't you think?
> >>> And failing everything else, how about going to a Toyota dealer and
> >>> asking him the octane requirement?
> >> It was a Toyota dealer.
>
> > The parts department should be able to order you an owner's manual. And, if
> > the customer service sucks that bad at the dealership, I wouldn't give them
> > another dime's worth of business after getting the manual.
>
> I have several friends who have given me the exact same advice. They
> have recommended either of two other dealers who are within 30 miles.
>
> PS I asked the first if they had any brochures on the Tundra or Tacoma
> and they did not!!

I don't get why for an owners manual -- anyone would go to the dealer
without seeing if it's on eBay first. If it's on eBay, it's almost
hands down cheaper than the dealer.

But, do as you wish...
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> "Gareth" wrote in message
>
>> mack wrote:
>>> "Gareth" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> mrv.TakeThisOut@kluge.net wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I think all these comments are very interesting. I did check out the
>>>> Toyota tundra site and they recommended a minimal of 87 octane without
>>>> elaboration. I do not have a manual or yet own one of these trucks, but
>>>> am strongly considering ownership. Dealer said he has no idea where I
>>>> can find an owners manual. I use the techron in my ancient corolla and
>>>> it is a wonderful product.
>>>> Thanks so much for the words of wisdom!
>>>>
>>>> gary
>>> The dealer doesn't know where to find an owner's manual? Is this a
>>> Toyota dealer or a used car dealer ?
>>> If it's a Toyota dealer, he might go so far as to look in one of his
>>> cars' glove compartment, don't you think?
>>> And failing everything else, how about going to a Toyota dealer and
>>> asking him the octane requirement?
>> It was a Toyota dealer.
>
> The parts department should be able to order you an owner's manual. And, if
> the customer service sucks that bad at the dealership, I wouldn't give them
> another dime's worth of business after getting the manual.
>
>

I have several friends who have given me the exact same advice. They
have recommended either of two other dealers who are within 30 miles.

PS I asked the first if they had any brochures on the Tundra or Tacoma
and they did not!!
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

"Gareth" wrote in message

> I have several friends who have given me the exact same advice. They
> have recommended either of two other dealers who are within 30
> miles.
>
> PS I asked the first if they had any brochures on the Tundra or
> Tacoma and they did not!!

You can download the Quick Reference Guide (not the complete Owner's
Guide) for many Toyota's from:

http://prg.toyotapartsandservice.com/

The Quick Reference Guide for a 2007 Tundra
(http://prg.toyotapartsandservice.com/pdfs/2007_Tundra.pdf ) does not
mention octane at all. However, the online iGuide (see
http://www.toyotaiguide.com/iGuide_Tundra.htm ) allows you to view a
complete copy of the Owner's Guide for a 2007 Tundra. This guide
specifies the octane requirement as 87 for all engines.

For the Tacoma, there is no online iGuide listing (too bad). The Quick
Reference Guide for the 2007 Tacoma
(http://prg.toyotapartsandservice.com/pdfs/2007_Tacoma.pdf ) does not
mention octane requirements. However, according to Toyota
Reports...err I mean Consumer Reports , it also only requires regular.

I have a Nissan Frontier with the 4L DOHC V-6. The manual for my
Frontier specifically says regular is required but that for maximum
fuel economy and performance, premium should be used. I have
experimented with premium and have not been able to detect any
significant difference in fuel economy (I keep a detailed gas log).
Any improvement in performance is undetectable to me. Perhaps if I
used a stop watch I might be able to tell a difference, but then that
seems like splitting hairs. In the past the delta between regular and
premium gasoline was $0.20 per gallon (except for Shell that had a
higher differential for V-Power). Recently I have noted that a lot of
stations have upped the differential to $0.22 or even $0.24 per
gallon. Pure banditry in my mind.

The iGuide feature is a big improvement for Toyota. Too bad they only
cover a few models at this time. Hopefully the list will be expanded.
Other manufacturers have been providing online copies of owner's
guides for many years. I guess the big T is finally trying to improve
their Customer Service. They might even get out of last place one day.
Now if they quit running those ridiculously misleading Tundra
commercials......

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

mrsteveo wrote:
>
> I don't get why for an owners manual -- anyone would go to the dealer
> without seeing if it's on eBay first.

You can read it for free at the dealer?
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

"B A R R Y" wrote in message

> mrsteveo wrote:
>> I don't get why for an owners manual -- anyone would go to the
>> dealer
>> without seeing if it's on eBay first.
>
> You can read it for free at the dealer?

And at least for a 2007 Tundra (and Camry, FJ Cruiser Highlander,
Avalon) it is free online at www.toyotaiguide.com.

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?? 

> The iGuide feature is a big improvement for Toyota. Too bad they only
> cover a few models at this time. Hopefully the list will be expanded.
> Other manufacturers have been providing online copies of owner's
> guides for many years. I guess the big T is finally trying to improve
> their Customer Service. They might even get out of last place one day.
> Now if they quit running those ridiculously misleading Tundra
> commercials......
>
> Ed
>

Thanks guys for the link to the iguide. This is very helpful.
 >> Stay informed about: Octane Required for Toyota Tundra and Tacoma??