Types of Fuel A Toyota Tacoma Takes: (All Model Years)
This article is going to cover all you want to know about the exact types of fuel a Toyota Tacoma takes, from the concerns of using the wrong type of fuel, which is not compatible with your engine type, and which gasoline to be used to the correct Ethanol levels, and if adding additives, a good choice and so on. We’re going to answer them all for you!
However, before getting into the details, let’s first get a brief introduction to the Toyota Tacoma so the buyers can get an idea about it while making a purchase.
It is, undoubtedly, a unique and luxurious pick-up truck, making its first launch in 1995. Its first generation was a series of pick-ups that were compact. Later on, the second and the third generation include pick-up trucks that are mid-size. It has its first model year in the year 1995. As far as its fuel is concerned, let’s move further and dig into the types of fuel a Toyota Tacoma takes.
Want to read more on Toyota? Read this “Types of Fuel A Toyota Tundra Takes (All Model Years)”
Here’s a quick answer;
To summarize, Toyota Tacoma manufacturers suggest using a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline or higher for all the models manufactured from 1995 to the present day. Use unleaded gasoline only. It is prohibited to use lower octane-graded gasoline to protect the engine’s functionality and performance. Mid-graded and high-octane-graded gasoline could also be used, but it depends from time to time.
Types of Fuel A Toyota Tacoma Takes
Explanation
Below given is the explanation for the correct types of fuel for your Toyota Tacoma. Information provided here is well researched and collected to assist you so that you can enjoy fully out of your Toyota Tacoma, besides keeping your engine safe from any harm.
Fuel Type Depending on Toyota Tacoma’s Engines
Based on your Toyota Tacoma’s engine, the selection for the correct types of fuel is made. Given below are details regarding the engines offered by the Toyota Tacoma’s all model years.
Toyota Tacoma – The Model Year 1995 to 2004
Toyota Tacoma’s model years 1995 to 2004 include the following engines;
- 2.4 L
- 3.4 L
These above engines function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but at least 87 Octane. This should be of good quality.
Toyota Tacoma – The Model Year 2005 to 2015
Toyota Tacoma’s model year 2005 to 2015 includes the following engines;
- 2.4 L
- 2.7 L
- 3.4 L
The above three function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane. However, there is no need to use premium fuel because it’s not going to cause any more significant difference.
Toyota Tacoma – The Model Year 2015 to Present
Toyota Tacoma’s model years from 2015 to the present day including 2021 to onwards include the following engine;
- 2.7 L
- 3.5 L
These function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane. Tacoma is compatible with gasoline having 91 octane-rating. However, there is no need to use premium fuel because it’s not going to cause any more significant differences.
Varieties of Fuel Other Than Conventional Gasoline; Are They Suitability with Toyota Tacoma?
At present, we have a variety of fuel options for our vehicles, from Reformulated Fuel (RFG) to different additives and blends. But the actual question is, are they even compatible with Toyota Tacoma and its engines? What are the effects of using these fuels? We will address this question quickly in the below section of this article, so Hang On!
Also read: Toyota RAV4 – Types of Fuel It Takes (All Model Years)
Reformulated Gasoline Fuel (RFG)
It is allowed by Toyota to consume RFG for its Toyota Tacoma whenever it was available. It is also best recommended for the area having smog at a higher concentration to decrease air pollution. For cleaner and greener burning, and with a nature-friendly impact, Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) is produced, which causes reduced smog, and less toxic pollutants as compared to regular gasoline, having no negative impacts. It is said to increase the miles per gas number of your vehicle.
Gas Consisting of Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT)
Tacoma manufacturers suggest not adding any additive which is based on Manganese since it can damage the system of your vehicle that regulates the emissions.
Gasoline comprising Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl, abbreviated as MMT, is used to improve the octane of fuel with bad quality. MMT is one of the oldest additives, almost 50 years old. This one was also used to seize the knocking noise produced by engines back then.
Gasoline/Oxygenated Mixtures
Toyota Tacoma can use oxygenated blends, but their usage requires some regulations to keep in minds. This depends on each generation, individually. Manufacturers recommend consuming less than or equal to 15 per cent of Ethanol (E-15). The addition of gasoline over 15 % is not recommended, according to the owner’s manual of the Toyota Tacoma.
However, when it comes to the use of methanol as an additive, only 3% or lesser is allowed. Moreover, Toyota Tacoma is compatible with co-solvent, at most 2% only.
Gas with Added Materials
To keep your engine clean, safe, and up to the standards of emission, Top-Tier detergent gasoline is highly recommended by Toyota for its Toyota Tacoma.
It is suggested that the Toyota Tacoma should utilize a gas mixed with a large concentration of agents used for cleaning, such as Cleaning agents.
These additives are recommended so that your car remains protected from deposits and debris. Furthermore, cleaning agents keep your vehicle’s engine free from the excessive buildup of Carbon in the valves and injectors. You can easily find them at your nearest top-tier retailers.
Prohibited Additives
Additives prohibited by Toyota Tacoma’s manufacturers include such as; solvents, methanol, silicon, any metal-based ones, kerosene, additives based on metals, and lead based on fuels.
Gasoline Adjusted According To the Season
Tacoma manufacturers suggest using gasoline which is adjusted according to the season, such as; the ones with blends according to the summer or winter season. Try to buy gasoline from a busy gas station having seasonally-adjusted gasoline.
The Most Regularly Asked Questions About Toyota Tacoma!
“My Engine Knocks Afterwards Refilling”- Should I Be Worried?
If lower than 87 octane-rated gasoline is used in your Toyota Tacoma, it degrades the performance and economy of the engine. Gasoline will burn prematurely if a lower octane gas is put in a machine with higher compression. It causes an unsmooth burn and engine knock. Hence, it is highly crucial to use the correct gasoline fuel with the right 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 Diminish “Knocking Noise”?
To diminish the knocking-like noise in your Toyota Tacoma, 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 mid-graded 91-octane gasoline or greater.
Significance of Using the Correct Type of Gasoline in Your Toyota Tacoma
However, now the query arises, what is the significance of knowing about the correct types of fuel for your Toyota Tacoma? The response to this is simple; to guard your engine against damage and accidents of fire and to keep your warranty away from being void.
Can All the Generations of Toyota Tacoma Consume RFGs as Fuel?
This question arises a lot; if all generations of Toyota Tacoma are suitable for using Reformulation Gasoline Fuel, so the answer to this is YES!
It has been suggested to consume RFGs for Toyota Tacoma as a fuel option, whenever it is available. it has also been compulsory for almost nineteen states and regions in the United States of America to use less toxic fuel to protect the quality of air.
What Is a Top-Tier Detergent Gasoline?
A top-tier gasoline with the detergent is a type of fuel, which is used to enhance the performance of the engine. Automobile manufacturing companies recommend the drivers to use this detergent-based gasoline to keep the engine of their vehicles safe from debris. It also prevents the deposits of carbon in sensitive parts of the engines such as, injectors.
Toyota Tacoma Drivers’ Reviews – Regular, Mid-Grade, or Premium Gasoline, Which One Do They Recommend?
After conducting revisions from numerous reviews of the people around the globe using the Toyota Tacoma and forums, it can be seen that; where the regular, unleaded gasoline with 87 Octane-rating has proved to work well for them, the ones using the gasoline with 89 octanes or a mid-graded 91 or higher Octane rating has proved to work much better for them, and help in reducing the knocking noise from their engines.
It has been declared by many experienced Toyota Tacoma 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 to spend 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 premium gasoline. However, 91 octane-graded gasoline is a better option when it comes to towing-like heavy-duty tasks. Many have seen the damage to their engines due to an exceeded amount of Ethanol blended with their gasoline.
Conclusion
To conclude, Toyota is, indeed, a well-known Japanese automobile company. Toyota Tacoma is manufactured by Toyota. It is an amazing and luxurious pick-up truck, making its first launch back in the year 1995. Its first generation was a series of pick-ups that were compact. Later on, the second and the third generation include pick-up trucks that are mid-size. It has its first model year in the year 1995. As far as its fuel is concerned, let’s move further and dig into it.
Hence, about the types of fuel a Toyota Tacoma takes; manufacturers suggest using a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline or higher than 87 (Regular, unleaded) for all the models manufactured from 1995 to the present day. Use unleaded gasoline only.
It is prohibited to use lower octane-graded gasoline in order to protect the functionality and performance of the engine. Mid-graded and high-octane-graded gasoline could also be used, but it depends from time to time. The third generation, including models from the year 2015 to the present, can also function on 91-octane-rating gasoline.
