What type of gas do you put in a Toyota Highlander?
In most cases, you should use regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. Premium fuel is not required for normal operation, and higher-octane gas typically provides little to no benefit unless your specific engine calls for it. Always confirm with your owner's manual or the fuel door sticker for your model year and engine.
Fuel requirements by engine and model year
Toyota's guidance across Highlander generations has consistently emphasized regular unleaded gasoline as the baseline. The exact octane recommendation can vary slightly depending on whether your Highlander is gasoline-only, hybrid, or, in rare cases, turbocharged. The general rule remains: 87 octane is the minimum, with higher octane optional if your manual allows it or if you anticipate conditions that justify it.
Common configurations and octane expectations
The following notes reflect typical Highlander configurations available in recent years. Always verify for your exact model year.
- Gasoline-only models (V6 and similar): Regular unleaded gasoline with 87 octane or higher.
- Hybrid models: Regular unleaded gasoline with 87 octane or higher.
- Turbocharged gasoline models (if your market/year offers the 2.4L Turbo): Regular unleaded gasoline with 87 octane or higher; the manual may note a higher octane is optional for certain performance demands, but it is not strictly required for normal operation.
Bottom line: For the vast majority of Highlander owners, 87-octane regular gas is sufficient. Always check the fuel door sticker and the owner's manual for the precise requirement for your year and trim.
Practical fueling tips
To avoid fuel-related issues and ensure you meet the official specification, consider these practical tips.
- Refer to your owner's manual or the fuel door placard to confirm the exact octane and compatibility for your model year and engine.
- Use the minimum octane grade listed; higher-octane fuel does not automatically boost performance or efficiency unless specified.
- When in doubt for a rental or unfamiliar Highlander, default to 87 octane fuels.
Concluding note: Regular 87-octane gasoline covers the needs of most Highlander engines. Check your manual for any special instruction tied to your exact vehicle.
Summary
Most Toyota Highlanders run on regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. Premium fuel is not required for normal operation, and higher-octane options are only relevant if your manual specifies them or you encounter certain driving conditions. Always verify the exact fuel specification for your model year and engine through the owner's manual or the fuel door label.
What brand of gas does Toyota recommend?
Top Tier Detergent Gasolines
Toyota recommends the use of “Top Tier Detergent Gasolines,” where available. Gasoline brands with this designation meet new, voluntary standards and have demonstrated their ability to keep engines clean through a series of demanding tests.
Should I use 87 or 89 gas?
Your car will run just fine. All modern cars can run 87,89,91,93. It's suggested that for maximum power that you use 93. If you're not at a track day event and just daily commuting 87 will serve you well. All modern cars are equipped with knock sensors to prevent engine damage from running lower octane fuel.
Do all Toyotas require premium gas?
No it's not necessary per Toyota. If you have the Hybrid, it's a bit interesting that Toyota recommends Premium (91+) in the Land Cruiser which runs essentially the same iForceMax as the 4Runner. That being said, per the manual, Toyota recommends at least 87. We use premium (91+), but we have a Platinum.
What kind of gas does a Toyota Highlander take?
A Toyota Highlander takes regular unleaded gasoline, which has an octane rating of 87 in the United States. You should confirm the exact fuel type recommended for your specific model year by checking the owner's manual or the sticker inside the fuel filler door. Using higher octane gas will not improve performance or fuel economy in an engine designed for 87 octane and may only cost you more money.
- Octane rating: Always use regular unleaded (87 octane).
- Confirmation: Check your owner's manual or the fuel door sticker for the precise recommendation for your model year.
- Higher octane fuel: There is no need to use mid-grade or premium gas, as the engine is not designed for it and higher octane fuel will not provide benefits.
- Brand considerations: Look for "TOP TIER" gasoline brands, which have a higher concentration of detergents to help keep your fuel injectors clean.
