My cowoker's brother is an auto-mechanic who has over 5 years of experience. We were at a family gathering a few days ago. He noticed I've got a new 2021 Camry SE ( regular gas aspirated 4 cylinder engine, 8-speed auto). I told him I've put only 87 grade gasoline in it because it is the required minimum gasoline grade as written in the manual that came with the car.
He said putting 87 in a new car would harm the engine and said that I should use 89 or higher. I've read on the internet before that it doesn't matter which gasoline I use, as long as I meet the minimum requiremtent, it shouldn't matter.
Scottt, what is your thought on this matter?
Toyota engineers know best what their engine requires, much better than any mechanic out there.
Check the owner's manual and go by that.
You are correct. If your car does not need higher octane gas, you only waste your money by putting a higher octane gas.
Use what your manual says. Since your engine has no turbocharger, putting premium or midgrade gas in isn't going to give you more power, or cause knocking/ preignition. The computer can probably adjust to the octane if the fuel you put in the tank, but given that you have a naturally aspirated engine, there's no need for higher octane fuel.
concur with what was said so far. Engines are designed for a certain octane. One could use higher octane, but never lower octane, than recommended. But it’s a waste of money to use higher octane unless necessary.
I'd say with 5 years experience he still has a lot to learn. Use the gas recommended in your owner's manual.
I have difficulty taking seriously anyone with only 5 years of experience in anything. I would listen to them but what your mechanic brother is stating is more hearsay than fact.
Regular 87 octane is fine and all that's needed. If you want to waste your $$ and use higher octane, that's totally up to you, but wast of $$ as it's not necessary.
As a retired building contractor, I hired lots of guys who went through the four year carpenter union apprentice program. They showed up at the job knowing everything about the benefits program, overtime pay and grievance procedure but precious little about carpentry. Their four years or "experience" was admirable but of little value.
I think what he is thinking what I use to think, cause the new 2019+ Toyota engine is direct injection. And those engines in general are prone to more carbon buildup (Volkswagen especially) which is why he might be suggesting the higher octane gas for the more additional additives. For my 2019 camry I actually did a test driving to LA to SJ and back, about 360ish miles straight (tested 2 times both directions) I got a bit higher mileage on 91 has vs 87 like maybe 20 miles more according to the on board computer gas rating. During my test I was going 65 cruising throughout. No traffic miraculously. But this is only after 4 drives through 360 miles. So results may vary lol
Toyota’s engines (with one exception) are GDI, but they also still retain port injection so it’s not susceptible to carbon buildup on the back of the intake valves like a DI-only engine would be.
Stick to what your manual says, and that is 87 minimum octane.
He said putting 87 in a new car would harm the engine
Did he elaborate further on how it could lead to damage? If anything, I would stick to Top Tier gasoline in your area (doesn’t matter which one), and use 87 from that station.
