Toyota RAV4 – Types of Fuel It Takes For All Model Years
We are going to sum up all you want to know about the types of fuel a Toyota RAV4 takes. However, before we move into the details, let’s first get into a brief introduction to the Toyota RAV4.
Toyota is a well-known Japanese automobile company. Toyota RAV4 is manufactured by Toyota, is an amazing and luxurious crossover, a compact, SUV making its first launch back in the year 1994 in Europe and Japan, launched in North America in the year 1996. RAV4 offers amazing features to its drivers, such as the cargo room increased and greater visibility, offering comfort to its users.
Outline!
Use a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) for all the models manufactured from 1994 to the present day. The models, such as; those manufactured since the year 2012 also consume regular gas with a minimum of 87 Octane-rating. This one has a 2.7 L engine which consumes the same fuel. The hybrid models are manufactured to function on 87 Octane-graded gasoline as well. In addition to regular gasoline, RFGs can be used as well. it is recommended to use a top-tier (detergent) gas in your Toyota RAV4 and ethanol not greater than 15%.
Understanding Premium vs. Regular Gas (erieinsurance.com)
Types of Fuel Toyota RAV4 Takes
Fuel Type Depending on Toyota RAV4’s Engines:
Based on your Toyota RAV4 engine, the correct types of fuel is opted. Given below are details, regarding the engines offered by the Toyota RAV4’s model years. This is according to its specific generation, models, and type of engine.
Toyota RAV4 – The model Year 1996 to 2005
Toyota RAV4’s model year 1996 to 2005 include only one engine that is;
- 2.4 L 4-cylinder producing 161 HP
It functions well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Do You Know!
Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Corolla consumes the similar gasoline types.
Toyota RAV4 – Model Year 2006 to 2011
Toyota RAV4’s model year 2006 to 2011, and specifically 2012, includes the following two engines;
- 2.5 L 4-cylinder producing 179 HP
- 3.5 L V-6 producing 269 HP
The above two engines function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (unleaded). It can be higher than 87, but not less.
Toyota RAV4 – The Model Year 2012 to 2018
Toyota RAV4’s model years 2012 to 2018, include the following engine;
- 2.5 L 4-cylinder producing 176 HP
These function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Toyota RAV4 – The Model Year 2019 to Present
Toyota RAV4’s model years from 2019 to the current day, however, include the following engine;
- 2.5 L 4-cylinder producing 203 HP
These function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Varieties of Fuel Other Than Conventional Gasoline; Are They Compatible with Toyota RAV4?
When the question is about the types of fuel a Toyota RAV4 takes; it comes in our minds if there are any other possible varieties to it? We will attempt to address this question quickly in the below section of this article so, Hang On!
Reformulated Gasoline Fuel (RFG)
Toyota manufacturers allow its drivers to consume RFG for its Toyota RAV4. For greener burning, and with a nature-friendly impact, Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) is produced. It causes decreased smog, and less toxic pollutants as compared to regular gasoline, having no hostile impacts. RFG is also best recommended for the area having smog at a higher amounts.
Gas Consisting of Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT)
Gasoline with MMT is suggested by the manufacturers of the Toyota RAV4 not to add. This additive which is based on Manganese. It can damage the system of your vehicle that controls the emissions.
Gasoline comprising Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl, abbreviated as MMT, used to improve the octane of fuel with poor quality. MMT is one of the oldest additives, almost 50 years old.
E-85/E15 or Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends
Toyota RAV4 can use an oxygenated blend, but their usage requires some rules to always keep in mind. Flex-fuel engines can tolerate Ethanol-85 (E-85) without any problem. E-15 is recommended for a vehicle that is not flex-fuel. The addition of gasoline over 15 % is not recommended according to the owner’s manual of the Toyota RAV4.
Gas with Additives
To keep your engine safe, TOP-TIER detergent gasoline is highly recommended by Toyota for its Toyota RAV4.
It is suggested that the Toyota RAV4 should utilize a gas mixed with a large concentration of agents used for cleaning, such as detergents.
Additives prohibited by Toyota RAV4; include solvents, methanol, silicon, any metal-based ones, kerosene, additives based on metals, and lead based on fuels.
The Most Regularly Asked Queries About Toyota RAV4!
How to Detect a Flex-Fuel Vehicle?
- A yellow bezel surrounding the inlet of the fuel tank indicates that your vehicle is flex-fuel. If you are unable to find it there, then you can check out the door of your fuel tank as well.
- If your Toyota RAV4 has a Flex-Fuel emblem as well as a yellow gas tank cap, it signifies it is E-85 compliant and safe to utilize E-85 Fuel.
- But keep in mind to burn all the flex-fuel, when you decide to run your vehicle on regular gas, and add at least, 3 to 5 gallons of flex-fuel in your tank, at a time, while refilling, and the vehicle should be driven after that for at least 5 miles.
Why Does My Engine Knock Afterwards Refilling?
If lower than 87 octane-rated gasoline is used in your Toyota RAV4, it degrades the performance and economy of the engine. Gasoline will burn prematurely, if a lower octane gas is put in an engine with higher compression. It causes an unsmooth burn and engine knock. Hence, it is extremely crucial to use the correct gasoline fuel with the correct octane grading.
If a fainted-knocking sound is heard from the engine, it indicates no danger. But if a loud knocking sound is heard, then it is due to the usage of a lower quality and lower octane-rated gasoline.
How to Reduce “Knocking Noise”?
To reduce the knocking-like noise in your Toyota RAV4, it is recommended to fill up your tank with a recommended minimum of 87 to 89 Octane-graded gasoline (never lesser than 87) or a premium 91-octane gasoline or greater.
Can All the Generations of Toyota RAV4 Consume RFGs as Fuel?
You must be pondering if all generations of Toyota RAV4 are suitable for using Reformulation Gasoline Fuel, so the answer to this is, YES!
It has been suggested to consume RFGs, whenever it is available since it has also been compulsory for almost nineteen states and regions in the United States of America to use a less toxic fuel, to protect the quality of air.
Want to read more? Read Types of Fuel A Toyota Tundra Takes (All Model Years)
TOYOTA RAV4 REVIEWS AROUND THE GLOBE! – Regular, Mid-Grade, or Premium Gasoline, Which One Do They Recommend?
After conducting revisions from numerous forums, owner manual, and drivers’ reviews driving the Toyota RAV4, conclusion about types of fuel for a Toyota RAV4 is that; their cars run totally fine on a regular 87 octane-graded gasoline.
It has been declared by many experienced Toyota RAV4 drivers that going on a gas lesser than 87-octane abuses the engine and its performance. Moreover, some also say that they found it a waste of money by spending on premium fuel when a regular, 87 could do the work.
Many drivers also stated that they didn’t see any difference even with the 91 Octane, till their engines were tuned for the 91 octane-graded gasoline or towing-like heavy-duty tasks.
Many drivers of Toyota RAV4 have advised to avoid using types of gasoline with MMT and the one which is without detergents as an additive. Same is recommended for Toyota Sienna.
Conclusion
Toyota is a well-known Japanese automobile company. Toyota company manufactured Toyota RAV4. To conclude, Toyota Tacoma’s manufacturers recommend using a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) for all the models manufactured from 1994 to the present day.
The models such as; manufactured since the year 2012, also consume regular gas with a minimum of 87 Octane-rating. This one has a 2.7 L engine which consumes the same fuel.
The hybrid models function on 87 Octane-graded gasoline as well. RAV4 drivers cn consume RFGs for their vehicle as well.
