If 91 fuel can potentially gain more horsepower, does 93 fuel make a bigger difference?

[OnePunchPan]

Hey folks - kind of a dumb question here. I've been filling up the 4runner with either 91 or 93 whenever I fill up. Generally very used to this since I'm coming from a MK6 GTI and those things take 93 preferably because of the turbo.

Will filling up the 4runner with 93 cause any damage or would I see more long term gain in terms of engine life?

Thank you!

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[LARIN]

in the Midwest is 93 at most stations

 

[papadop88]

...Definitely. Sunoco 100 Octane Race Fuel for me. Nothing but the best for my baby.

 

[Badkarma8541]

I would say yes as I travel the country a lot. I actually live in Ga. And 93 from shell is my go to after motor trend did a gasoline test and it was an ez winner in that it increased HP on the dyno. That being said, I have no problem, stopping at Sams and using 91 that they have..

 

[John2112]

Hey folks - kind of a dumb question here. I've been filling up the 4runner with either 91 or 93 whenever I fill up. Generally very used to this since I'm coming from a MK6 GTI and those things take 93 preferably because of the turbo.

Will filling up the 4runner with 93 cause any damage or would I see more long term gain in terms of engine life?

Thank you!

Using premium fuel in a car that doesn't require it won't cause immediate or severe damage, but it can lead to reduced performance, lower fuel economy, and unnecessary expense. Modern engine management systems can usually adjust to the higher octane, but there's no benefit to using it if your car doesn't need it.

 

[HVLA]

Using premium fuel in a car that doesn't require it won't cause immediate or severe damage, but it can lead to reduced performance, lower fuel economy, and unnecessary expense. Modern engine management systems can usually adjust to the higher octane, but there's no benefit to using it if your car doesn't need it.

This is not true on a forced induction engine with this high of compression ratio. This has been proven on multiple dyno pulls. This motor generates more power using 91 octane.

 

[John2112]

This is not true on a forced induction engine with this high of compression ratio. This has been proven on multiple dyno pulls. This motor generates more power using 91 octane.

Most of the evidence of higher horsepower using higher octane fuel with a vehicle not designed for it is anecdotal and not scientific. Let's say you gained 3 horsepower, the cost of the fuel and the benefits do not add up. Plus in most cases it's a placebo effect, you expect it to have more horsepower even though it might not or is very minimal.

 

[OnePunchPan]

Thanks for the responses guys! Guess I'll just use 91 to be in the middle

 

[John2112]

Thanks for the responses guys! Guess I'll just use 91 to be in the middle

One of the absolute best things you can do is only use top tier fuel in your rig. The benefits of higher quality fuel makes a huge difference in longevity. https://www.toptiergas.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22504288460

 

[OnePunchPan]

One of the absolute best things you can do is only use top tier fuel in your rig. The benefits of higher quality fuel makes a huge difference in longevity. https://www.toptiergas.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22504288460

Yessir - I'm a huge fan of great gas. Had a cousin that had his car ruined by shitty gas and my GTI has always required 93 to ensure the turbo runs smoothly. So I'm quite used to it. I just wanted to make sure if the gas was TOO high quality then it wouldn't ruin the new engine

 

[ah4rsr5]

Most of the evidence of higher horsepower using higher octane fuel with a vehicle not designed for it is anecdotal and not scientific. Let's say you gained 3 horsepower, the cost of the fuel and the benefits do not add up. Plus in most cases it's a placebo effect, you expect it to have more horsepower even though it might not or is very minimal.

87 vs. 91 Octane Fuel: STILLEN’s Kyle Millen reveals how fuel octane impacts the Tacoma’s 2.4L turbo engine, showing a 20-horsepower gain with premium fuel. Learn about octane ratings, real-world dyno results, fuel costs, warranty considerations, and why 91 or 93 octane is essential for maximum power, efficiency, and engine longevity—especially with TruControl or other performance upgrades. Don’t miss this must-watch guide for Tacoma owners!

 

[John2112]

87 vs. 91 Octane Fuel: STILLEN’s Kyle Millen reveals how fuel octane impacts the Tacoma’s 2.4L turbo engine, showing a 20-horsepower gain with premium fuel. Learn about octane ratings, real-world dyno results, fuel costs, warranty considerations, and why 91 or 93 octane is essential for maximum power, efficiency, and engine longevity—especially with TruControl or other performance upgrades. Don’t miss this must-watch guide for Tacoma owners!

Sure, if you're going to put performance parts on your vehicle. I'm talking about stock Toyota vehicles not modified. If you want to make a racing truck out of it there were a lot of things you can do including modifying it to use high octane. I built up plenty of vehicles that would knock if I used 87 octane after modification and higher octane was required. If you're going to keep your engine stock with no modifications there's no need for higher octane. I've built plenty of racing engines that you would have to use high octane in. In my 2025 Trailhunter it's got plenty of power, it doesn't knock at 87 octane and as long as I'm using top tier fuels it will probably last the rest of my life. Good grief, the truck already has 326 horsepower and 465 ft lb of torque.

 

[ah4rsr5]

Sure, if you're going to put performance parts on your vehicle. I'm talking about stock Toyota vehicles not modified. If you want to make a racing truck out of it there were a lot of things you can do including modifying it to use high octane. I built up plenty of vehicles that would knock if I used 87 octane after modification and higher octane was required. If you're going to keep your engine stock with no modifications there's no need for higher octane. I've built plenty of racing engines that you would have to use high octane in. In my 2025 Trailhunter it's got plenty of power, it doesn't knock at 87 octane and as long as I'm using top tier fuels it will probably last the rest of my life. Good grief, the truck already has 326 horsepower and 465 ft lb of torque.

Maybe I'm confused... this is stock, no performance parts. Using higher octane improves performance while you claimed it reduces performance and that any gains is usually anecdotal. Just posting the video to show you actual dyno measurements on a stock vehicle with different octane (87 vs 91)

 

[John2112]

Maybe I'm confused... this is stock, no performance parts. Using higher octane improves performance while you claimed it reduces performance and that any gains is usually anecdotal. Just posting the video to show you actual dyno measurements on a stock vehicle with different octane (87 vs 91)

There are plenty of scientific type websites out there that say the exact opposite of what that video said. You have to take that with a grain of salt, the engineers at Toyota specified what to put in the vehicle and they designed it for that fuel. Minor horsepower gains are not worth the trouble and there's no reason to pay hundreds of dollars extra a year for a small horsepower gain that you probably won't even feel. I had a Volkswagen golf a while back that showed two different horsepower levels with regular fuel and premium and it was designed for that. Driving it I couldn't tell any difference although it probably would show up on a dyno. I mean it's your money.

 

[Kazz]

87 vs. 91 Octane Fuel: STILLEN’s Kyle Millen reveals how fuel octane impacts the Tacoma’s 2.4L turbo engine, showing a 20-horsepower gain with premium fuel. Learn about octane ratings, real-world dyno results, fuel costs, warranty considerations, and why 91 or 93 octane is essential for maximum power, efficiency, and engine longevity—especially with TruControl or other performance upgrades. Don’t miss this must-watch guide for Tacoma owners!

Thank you for sharing! I learned something new.

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