Like most of you, I've been curious about why the T24A-FTS is rated at the same horsepower when spec'd for Premium on the LC vs Regular for the Tacoma. Since I didn't have access to a dyno or a Tacoma I could run on Premium vs Regular and comparing that data to my LC, the most I could do was to look at my fuelly log.
I am not trying to convince you to use one or the other, nor am I promoting bashing the other guy for using one or the other. We're all big boys and girls here and we can make these decisions on our own. That said, a good discussion, to a certain degree, allows us to make said decisions.
Some things to note:
In practical terms, the reduced MPG (but lower per gallon cost) nets me about $400 a year on my 25k-mi/year usage of this vehicle. This is based on a $0.38 variance between Premium vs Regular. I included other mileage metrics for the group:
In terms of performance, I have not noticed a difference in my usage. For reference, we have 4 other cars spec'd for Premium. A BMW F10 and E46, a Subaru ZD8 and Mercedes W204. When I use Regular on those vehicles, the difference is obvious. Particularly when merging on freeways at full bore, or trying to accelerate at a high gear. Not on the LC. If there's a difference, my butt-dyno doesn't pick up on it.
Closing thoughts:
I am not trying to convince you to use one or the other, nor am I promoting bashing the other guy for using one or the other. We're all big boys and girls here and we can make these decisions on our own. That said, a good discussion, to a certain degree, allows us to make said decisions.
Some things to note:
- California opened to winter blend gasoline November 1st. This puts the entirety of the "Regular" portion of this test using winter blend, and some (4 of 17) of the "Premium" portion using the same. While the shitty winter stuff is cheaper to produce, I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to when it would have been available at the pump
- I used my local Costco whenever I could
- I could not (objectively) account for the cooler weather this time of year
- The spikes in MPG, believe it or not, is when I encountered traffic on my 92-mile round trip commute with my son
- The LC is primarily a people hauler. If I am alone I take 2 doors or 2 wheels
- This test started ~9k miles on the odo, so the motor is broken-in
In practical terms, the reduced MPG (but lower per gallon cost) nets me about $400 a year on my 25k-mi/year usage of this vehicle. This is based on a $0.38 variance between Premium vs Regular. I included other mileage metrics for the group:
In terms of performance, I have not noticed a difference in my usage. For reference, we have 4 other cars spec'd for Premium. A BMW F10 and E46, a Subaru ZD8 and Mercedes W204. When I use Regular on those vehicles, the difference is obvious. Particularly when merging on freeways at full bore, or trying to accelerate at a high gear. Not on the LC. If there's a difference, my butt-dyno doesn't pick up on it.
Closing thoughts:
- I will revisit this next year so I can chart a YoY and a more apples-to-apples comparison
- If you can afford an LC, the ~$250 saved for the average user (15k miles) is probably not worth it
- I will continue to use Regular in my LC in the interest of long-term testing. That and it pays for all of my wife's and son's online subscriptions.
