High ga prices means switching grades?

[Grnarowana]

With the high rise in gas prices, people are trying to minimize their gas usages and maybe even changing grade fuel levels.

Did anyone change their grade level because of the gas prices and did you see any differences in MPG?

I use Premium and might just go regular since the price of gas is just ridiculous, but I'm afraid it might hurt my MPG.

I run a 1999 v6 manual and get about 475 miles on a full tank on highway and if it's 75% highway and 25% street I run about 350 miles on a full tank.
If I switch to lower grade fuel will it dramatically decrease my MPG and performance?

And is it worth the switch?

Has anyone tried it before? It would be great to hear some word from this.

[Americanctm10]

Are you boosted?

If your not then why are you using Premium?

[ThatVietGuy]

I've seen zero difference between using 87 and 91.

Of course, it's not zero, but it so minute it doesn't matter.

[bassthrive]

I used to fuel with mid-grade, now I use 87.

[Grnarowana]

nope, not boosted. I guess its a psychological thing. I guess I'll try 87 and see how it goes.

[Toy1mzfe]

I went from 91 to 89.

not too sure if it did or not. It felt less responsive but that could be a mind game thing.

[Got2XLR8 NYX]

I ran 87 on my V6 5SP and on a full tank drove 500 miles all highway from ATL to Orlando so I don't think octane grade makes a difference. If anything I was amazed that I even pulled 500 on that 1 tank.

[gnegroni]

What does the owners manual say? Gen2 V6 owners manual says 91 for better performance if I'm not mistaken... if it doesn't say so, just put 87. I used to have 93 when my 2005 4-cyl was new, thinking it was better for power and mileage...but after more than a year of using 87, can't seem to recall ANY difference.

PS The best thing I did was switching to Mobil-1, but that is a completely different topic...which DOES bring better economy if you use regular oil.

[kingkakyle]

yep the 3mz says u should use 91 for more performance but 87 is fine with no knocking

soooooooooooooo for the 1mz 87 should be fine
also its a toyota.....MOST of them only require 87 anyways

[Grnarowana]

I don't know, but for some reason I'm getting better mileage with 87.

My car is fully stock with a drop in K&N. I use mobil 1 full synthetic 10w30 @ 125.5K miles. And i switched from 91 to 87, and I'm getting better mpg. Usually at half a tank i'm at 150-155 miles, but now I'm ranging at 180-190 miles. And this is all 75% highway and 25% streets.

What gives? Is it because higher grades burn more cleaner?

[no_escape]

You should get better mileage with 87. 87 doesn't burn as hot as 91. Higher oct., hotter, cleaner burn.

[TMMK Toy]

91 is required for the 1mz but if you use lower the knock sensors will just retard timing. Most pumps out here dont offer 91, its 87, 89, or 93. So I run 93. I'm shocked at the mileage numbers you guys are posting. I generally get 220-240 on half a tank and a lil past 3/4 I've gotten close to 400. Those numbers generally are 23-24 mpg. I do a lot of highway driving but cruise at 80 and I drive rather aggresively. Hell, I thought my mileage was crappy compared to other people with 5 speed 1mzs.

Since I've had body work done on my car I noticed a slight gain in miles at 1/4 tank and even still a lil bit at 1/2 way. I have to drive to work tomorrow so I'll be filling up before heading up to the meet Saturday and curious to see if I am getting better milage. The body work was to replace a torn front bumper skin, so I think the damaged one may have actually been creating some drag robbing me of easier highway cruising.

[DaZanY4002]

I use 87 Chevron/Texaco only. I don't see the need for higher.
Also, I think a few months back in the manual, I read 87 octane for Gen 1's.

[atclate]

I took a drive to riverside earlier, then to LA, then back to San Diego, total of about 330 miles. I filled the tank at the end of the day and found myself at 25.4 mpg. (13 Gallons) This time I was using 87, and it's the best mileage I've ever gotten.
I raced my car a little today, but I found myself passed by a Buick SUV even after bottoming the gas pedal >_<
Man my car suck.... bad gas mileage but no power... grrrh...

[Jakecallun20]

87 is fine, my car has been run on 87 octane since it was brand new in 1999. No problems (I have 1MZ btw)