Premium Fuel Requirements Explained “Not Required”

Tallmadge41

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At 21:00 minutes into the video David does a very good job explaining. He did a good job and once and for all putting an end to all the mystery. Yes, if you want maximum performance you will need to put in 91. If you us 87 you will not get the performance, but it will not damage your engine. Before you add comments, please look up the pedigree of David, his engineering background and his direct contact to the Tahra Plant.

 
But it still doesn't explain why the powertrain output (hp and torque) is the same for the Tacoma Hybrid and the Land Cruiser ...but the Land Cruiser "requires" premium but the Tacoma Hybrid does not (it's certified/rated on regular unleaded). There is still something funky about the setup—that they are different. I do agree with David...the Land Cruiser powertrain should be "safe" running on 87 but I still wonder what powertrain output (and fuel economy) is when running 87 vs. 91 (and 93) octane on the Tacoma Hybrid and the Land Cruiser.
 
I hope he is correct, but a query to Toyota re the 2024 Land Cruiser has responded that the warranty may be voided. Obviously, he is not driving a Land Cruiser, where directly on the fuel filler door it indicates premium fuel is a must. This said, with modern engine technology, there is no reason in my opinion the engine could not accommodate 87, or even 85 (which is what is typically sold here, such as at Costco) grade fuel, especially at our roughly 4000 ft. altitude. In Death Valley, possibly another story...
 
But it still doesn't explain why the powertrain output (hp and torque) is the same for the Tacoma Hybrid and the Land Cruiser ...but the Land Cruiser "requires" premium but the Tacoma Hybrid does not (it's certified/rated on regular unleaded). There is still something funky about the setup—that they are different. I do agree with David...the Land Cruiser powertrain should be "safe" running on 87 but I still wonder what powertrain output (and fuel economy) is when running 87 vs. 91 (and 93) octane on the Tacoma Hybrid and the Land Cruiser.
Agree. Toyota has created a stupid mess here. Let’s put both Tacoma and LC powertrains on a dyno. Either the marketing people are wrong or the engineers are wrong. As an engineer I’ve got my bias….if LC produces more HP/torque on premium then let’s publish that….if Tacoma on regular produces less Hp/torque then let it be so.
 
I hope he is correct, but a query to Toyota re the 2024 Land Cruiser has responded that the warranty may be voided. Obviously, he is not driving a Land Cruiser, where directly on the fuel filler door it indicates premium fuel is a must. This said, with modern engine technology, there is no reason in my opinion the engine could not accommodate 87, or even 85 (which is what is typically sold here, such as at Costco) grade fuel, especially at our roughly 4000 ft. altitude. In Death Valley, possibly another story...
The high altitude octane rating reduction is intended for naturally aspirated engines. Under lower atmospheric pressure, 85 behaves similar to 87 at sea level in those engines and would not knock.
A forced induction engine, as is the case in the turbo 4 hybrid Land Cruiser, pressurized the air regardless of atmospheric pressure so the end result is that 85 will likely to knock and damage the engine.
 
The high altitude octane rating reduction is intended for naturally aspirated engines. Under lower atmospheric pressure, 85 behaves similar to 87 at sea level in those engines and would not knock.
A forced induction engine, as is the case in the turbo 4 hybrid Land Cruiser, pressurized the air regardless of atmospheric pressure so the end result is that 85 will likely to knock and damage the engine.
Good point! Come on Toyota, a switch one can throw to run regular or premium! Users are smart enough to know when they need the additional horsepower/torque. Also, the knock sensor could activate a warning.
 
Agree. Toyota has created a stupid mess here. Let’s put both Tacoma and LC powertrains on a dyno. Either the marketing people are wrong or the engineers are wrong. As an engineer I’ve got my bias….if LC produces more HP/torque on premium then let’s publish that….if Tacoma on regular produces less Hp/torque then let it be so.
Agreed 100%
 
@Teebo
Congrats on your new 1st Edition! Maybe since you have one you can post a copy of the fuel requirements from the owners manual? I trust David from AP but myself and others have posted pictures that show Premium Unleaded Fuel Only on the fuel door.

LAND CRUISER FUEL.JPG
 
Very disappointing re 91 octane. A thought, it is a fact one can squeeze out a slight more MPG from higher octane and an engine tuned for it. Do you suppose to reach the desired MPG benchmark that this is what happened?
 
At 21:00 minutes into the video David does a very good job explaining. He did a good job and once and for all putting an end to all the mystery. Yes, if you want maximum performance you will need to put in 91. If you us 87 you will not get the performance, but it will not damage your engine. Before you add comments, please look up the pedigree of David, his engineering background and his direct contact to the Tahra Plant.


Hello all in the US I see your discussing the premium petrol / gas here in the UK we are only getting a Diesel 2.8 engine at the moment I haven't got my L C yet I wonder if i,m supposed to use premium Dielsel or is that a daft / silly question ???
 
Hello all in the US I see your discussing the premium petrol / gas here in the UK we are only getting a Diesel 2.8 engine at the moment I haven't got my L C yet I wonder if i,m supposed to use premium Dielsel or is that a daft / silly question ???
What I would not give for a diesel here in the states! At least here, no such thing as premium diesel, only winter or summer variants.
 
Hello all in the US I see your discussing the premium petrol / gas here in the UK we are only getting a Diesel 2.8 engine at the moment I haven't got my L C yet I wonder if i,m supposed to use premium Dielsel or is that a daft / silly question ???
I'm sure the 2.8L diesel in the new Land Cruiser will be 100% fine on regular diesel in the UK. I've never run the "premium diesel" in any diesel in the UK...even higher-performance diesel engines.
 
I'm sure the 2.8L diesel in the new Land Cruiser will be 100% fine on regular diesel in the UK. I've never run the "premium diesel" in any diesel in the UK...even higher-performance diesel engines.
Hi Marc I have never used Premium Diesel either the debate about premium gas just made me think .
 
Living in the Socialist Republic of Washington state we enjoy some of the highest fuel prices in the country (behind CA and HI). Having to purchase premium (92 octane here) means ~$5.30/gallon (currently). That’s not a deal breaker for me in considering a LC250, but still, it’s not insignificant over a period of time. If burning premium is required to avoid eventual engine damage, so be it. If it’s required simply to maximize performance, I’d be inclined to burn 87 octane more often.
 
Actually the same thought process here Dangler. I fret over the increased price for premium, but heck, as an old retired couple we only log roughly 4K miles/year at best. At 82, I just want a LC as soon as possible! Will it fit in a senior housing garage in the future? :)
 
Actually the same thought process here Dangler. I fret over the increased price for premium, but heck, as an old retired couple we only log roughly 4K miles/year at best. At 82, I just want a LC as soon as possible! Will it fit in a senior housing garage in the future? :)
I am retired so don’t put all that many miles on a vehicle, either. I do take extended road trips a couple of times a year, but fortunately those are to Idaho and Montana, where fuel prices are more reasonable. I’ll by “cheap” premium in those states 😆
 
I also live in Washington. The gas prices suck but I went into this knowing that. At least we have $30 tabs though... oh wait.
 
I also live in Washington. The gas prices suck but I went into this knowing that. At least we have $30 tabs though... oh wait.
Yeah, the tabs thing 🤦

But gotta buy our gas vehicles while we can because in a few years no dealers will be able to sell anything but EV 😂
 
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