Hi, I live up here in Canada where you could by premium fuel with no ethanol in it at all, just recently they have been adding 5% ethanol to it, mig grade has 10% and regular now has 15%, not factoring the difference in cost between the 3 different grades is it better to go with the premium at 5% or does the more ethanol not really matter? I drive a 2020 4Runner and a 09 Lexus.
Check your owner's manual to see what grade of gasoline is recommended and what the vehicle's tolerance is for ethanol contamination.
Modern cars (both of your cars) were designed to use up to 10% ethanol without issue. As to what's best.. The Motor Oil Geek(Lake Speed) has a video explaining why a premium fuel can produce less wear than a lower grade fuel. Your car will run absolutely fine on whatever the owner's manual recommends, it's what I usually recommend one use. If you want to keep your piston walls and rings as cleans as possible, then use non-ethanol premium as explained in this video: Can Premium Fuel Reduce Engine Wear?here in Canada where you could by premium fuel with no ethanol
they have been adding 5% ethanol to it
you can thank "The Honorable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau" for those shenanigans. Please vote appropriately.
does the more ethanol not really matter?
Yes it matters. Check with your manufacturer. If it's not in your owner's manual then have a chat with them by phone. 10% it not a big deal, even though you do lose power, but 15% starts to cross the line of "will this cause long term harm". I don't know. Maybe Toyota have engineered for it.
They're trying to cheapen your fuel. They charge you the same or more (here in Canada at least. I know in most of the US it's discounted), and give you less energy. It's a scam. It also damages small engines (lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc.). Make some noise.
