Loading

Can I put 87 gas in my 4Runner?

The short answer is no, you should not put 87 octane gasoline in your Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner's engine is designed to run on higher octane fuel, typically 87 or higher. Using a lower octane fuel can potentially cause engine damage and reduce performance.


Understanding Octane Ratings


Octane rating is a measure of a fuel's resistance to premature ignition, also known as "knocking" or "pinging." Higher octane fuels can withstand higher compression levels before igniting, making them better suited for high-performance engines. Lower octane fuels are more prone to premature ignition, which can cause engine damage over time.


The Toyota 4Runner's engine is designed to operate optimally with 87 octane or higher fuel. Using a lower octane fuel, such as 87, can lead to increased engine knocking, reduced fuel efficiency, and potentially long-term damage to the engine components.


Consequences of Using 87 Octane in a 4Runner



  • Engine Knocking: The lower octane fuel is more likely to cause premature ignition, leading to a knocking or pinging sound from the engine. This can cause accelerated wear on engine components.

  • Reduced Performance: The engine may not be able to produce its full power output, resulting in a noticeable decrease in acceleration and overall performance.

  • Decreased Fuel Efficiency: The engine may need to work harder to compensate for the lower octane fuel, leading to increased fuel consumption and reduced fuel economy.

  • Potential Engine Damage: Prolonged use of a lower octane fuel can potentially cause damage to the engine's pistons, valves, and other components, leading to costly repairs.


To ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your Toyota 4Runner, it is recommended to use the fuel grade specified by the manufacturer, which is typically 87 octane or higher.

Is it OK to mix 93 and 87?


Mixing 93 and 87 gas doesn't have any ill effects. It simply creates a new formula referred to as “midgrade” that's often available in gas stations. Additionally, the difference between premium and regular gas is that the premium ones are of higher quality.



Can I put 87 in my 4Runner?


regular gas (87 octane). BTW Toyota's official specs recommends regular fuel for the 2025 4Runner, so it's absolutely fine running 87 octane.



What gas does a 4Runner take?


So, bottom line is stick to the recommended 87 Octane. That is peak efficiency for your Toyota.



Is it OK to mix 87 and 89 gas?


So, is it bad to mix gas? While it won't cause any significant issues, it's not a good idea to mix 87 and 89 gas. If you find yourself in a situation where you must combine the two types of gas, it's not the end of the world. Your car will be fine, but you may notice a decrease in performance.



Does 4Runner take regular gas reddit?


The 5th gen 4Runner V6 works fine with regular (87) gas and will work fine with high altitude regular at high altitude. 91 will work too but you are wasting your money as it is not required. The thing to be careful of is Ethanol content as more than 10% can harm engines that are not designed to use it.



Will regular gas damage a premium engine?


This will most often come into play if substituting regular for premium leads to significant engine knock or pinging that causes damage to the pistons or other engine components. Aside from those complications, you could also experience a decrease in fuel efficiency and overall engine performance.



Can mixing 87 and 89 mess up your car?


So, is it bad to mix gas? While it won't cause any significant issues, it's not a good idea to mix 87 and 89 gas. If you find yourself in a situation where you must combine the two types of gas, it's not the end of the world. Your car will be fine, but you may notice a decrease in performance.



Can I use 87 gas in my Toyota?


Edit: Generally people seem to think the reason Toyota recommended premium in some versions was to improve the advertised power and fuel efficiency numbers. There may be slight differences in the way the motors are tuned, but it's confirmed to be completely fine running 87, even if the fuel cap and manual recommend 91.



What happens if I put 87 instead of 93?


If you put lower-octane fuel into your high-octane vehicle, whether by mistake or to save money on gas, you'll probably notice the effects right away: things like poor fuel economy, reduced acceleration, and spark knock, which sounds like a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise.



Which gas for Toyota 4Runner?


So, bottom line is stick to the recommended 87 Octane. That is peak efficiency for your Toyota.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.