I'm a father of two little girls and a great wife. Just a couple of weeks ago my wife had an accident where she was t-boned by an old lady and her 2004 Rav4 was totaled. We figured we would just go and get the new larger Rav4 as a replacement but when we got to the lot I noticed an FJ sitting there. While my wife was checking out the Rav4, I strolled over to the FJ and opened it up. I noticed there was plenty of room for my two little girls and lots of cool gadgets for me. The idea popped in my head to hand over my 2001 Camry to her and get this bad boy. We took the car seat out of the Camry and installed it in the FJ. We went for a test drive and it was tons of fun. My wife told me that since the last three new cars were purchased for her, that it was time for me to get what I wanted. I left the dealer in order to get my financing in place (I usually get financed through my credit union). I come here tonight to do a little research on the opinions of the members, and one issue is the deal-breaker for me. I MUST USE PRIMIUM GAS??? WTF? Hey Toyota, have you been keeping track of how much that costs now? I can't justify buying premium gas! I got kids to feed and clothe! I'm not willing to pay the difference between regular and premium. I really like the FJ but I love my kids better and I'm not going to take more money from the household funds then need be. There's a lot I can buy my kids with the difference (over time) between regular and premium. No wonder the target customer for the FJ are guys in their twenties.
I have heard from many sources that you can go ahead and put 87 octane in the FJ.....I have a few cars that "require" 91, but I've always used 87....you forfiet 1 or 2 horsepower, but who cars. I've done this for years and NEVER had an issue. Also, it is worth noting, when most Japenese cars say Premium fuel, they are referring to the Anti Knock index, not the Octaine... there is a difference and 87 octane normally works fine.
Toyota has a release that Premium is recommended, but not required for the FJ. Double check your potential new buy- lots of new Toyota are either recommending or requiring the premium grade fuel. My Tacoma, for example.
__________________
'06 Super White Dbl Cab, V6 PreRunner AT, Sport,TRD Exhaust, SnugTop, Westin Step Bars, Toyo Open Country AT's
'07 Sun Fusion FJ Cruiser, AT, UP #2, TRD Exhaust, Roof Rack, Rock Rails, BFG AT KO's
Your crazy, might be what an extra 150$ over a year. Cleaner gas, and better mpg. If you can't affrod and extra 150$ over a year for gas, then you don't need to be buying a Fj.
I have an FJ, about 8,000 miles later, its used 87 octane most its life. When I go wheeling, I put 91, or when I need to haul or tow stuff, 91 is my choice. I feel no difference with both octanes. Its just knowing that you'll need maximum power when doing hardwork, premium will help.
We should clear ne thing about gas. Higher octane gas does not increase horse power. In fact you should use the lowest octane gas you can without getting pinging, this is where you get the most horse power. Lower octane gas burns in the cylinder quicker but if it burns prematurely that's when you get pinging. Higher octane gas burns more slowly and cooler, to prevent pinging. Therefore you get more BTU's per volume with lower octane gas. What happens in computer controlled carsis, the computer will sense lower octane fuels and will automatically retard the timing of the engine, making the engine less efficient. You will definately get better MPG with premium octane and will negate the extra cost, therefore yor original argument is invalid. Using premium gas in general is a break even but your engine will run smoother and idle smoother. On any modern vehichle you can use 87 octane so long as it is not a high compression engine.
The Deal breaker is gas? Theres alot you can buy your kids by saving $10,000 and get a Matrix instead of a cool off-road rig.
I have same engine as the FJ in my Tacoma. I can run 87 like many do, and have, but I notice a little difference when running at least 89. So a for fill up yesterday(every 2 weeks) cost me $55.80 instead of $54) a whooping $1.80. Price of a starbucks coffee. Yep, get the Rav4.
I think the mark-up on these things is more of a deal breaker than the premium gas requirement. Still, I think it's a valid point. Is the $150~$200 bucks a deal breaker for most, NO. But you gotta wonder, especially with gas prices rising, why anything but a high performance sports car needs premium gas. I mean, this is an FJ for goodness sake, not an M3.
The only reason for premium gas is with high compression engines that require it. If you can run regular fuel without detonation, then it's a waste of money to run premium. And if the FJ can run regular, Toyota should market it as such. /Mike
__________________
2001 2WD Silver Tundra: 4x4 TRD springs, Daystar 1", Carson AAL, red/blue Bilsteins, 265/75 Revo's, IS kit(minus bumper) and rims(hand polished), RF851X amp, Alpine HU, JL 6.5"XR comps, Qlogic with JL 8W3V2 subs. 185k miles and counting......
2005 Silver Sienna LE with 12" Overhead DVD
from what my understanding it's the same engine as my 04 4 runner that recommends 91. Not requiring it. I us 87 and it's fine. 18 mpg average between city and highway.
I've had my Cruiser for 520 km- a drive up here to the cottage, and a little running into town etc.. I drove it up loaded to the roof with my sound equipment. It came with a full tank of gas: the dealer confirmed they put 87/regular in it, and further said that's what they run in their demo.
Today I topped it up and did the conversions:
502 km used 59 litres= 11.75 L/100 km
or 24.04 mpg
Yes, that's Canadian gallons.
When I get home on Sunday and out of the cottage country/gas gouge zone, I'll try a tank of 91 for comparison. However, I know my real mileage won't come until it's broken in.
I haven't trailered anything yet: next week I may haul my boat 20 miles to a different salmon fishing area. From driving it so far I know it will handle the boat better than the old Blazer did. But I did hook it up to the empty boat trailer to check out the harness connections: to my surprise, I can still open the rear door with the trailer connected. And the backup warning is great: on my first try, I stopped 4 inches from the hitch, stopping just before the solid tone of the beeper.
I asked the service manager when I picked it up about my first oil change: I always like to bring a new motor in early, but he insisted that 8000 km was when it was due.
My buddies have been very impressed with the truck- at lunch today they wanted to see under the hood, and they were so impressed with the oil filter placement! With my GM former vehicles, I've never seen a toploading oil filter!
I ordered it with the class 3 hitch, and a black bug deflector (Titanium Cruiser). With two coats of wax so far it looks tremendous. However, it needs running boards- I'm sure that step rails won't keep the grunge off the lower panels. Also, that huge open space in front of the front wheels means that the mud and snow and water will be hurled forward onto the bumper- that seems to be a design flaw. I'm watching for a piece to be available to close that gap.
Whenever I google FJ accessories, none seem to be found in Canada. I did get a phone call from a California company assuring me that they would ship to the GWN, but I'd asked him for any Canadian distributors.
Overall, I love my FJ more than any truck I've had over the past 30 years. But it's too soon to tell at this stage..... I'll give a mileage update periodically.
PB
I'm a father of two little girls and a great wife. Just a couple of weeks ago my wife had an accident where she was t-boned by an old lady and her 2004 Rav4 was totaled. We figured we would just go and get the new larger Rav4 as a replacement but when we got to the lot I noticed an FJ sitting there. While my wife was checking out the Rav4, I strolled over to the FJ and opened it up. I noticed there was plenty of room for my two little girls and lots of cool gadgets for me. The idea popped in my head to hand over my 2001 Camry to her and get this bad boy. We took the car seat out of the Camry and installed it in the FJ. We went for a test drive and it was tons of fun. My wife told me that since the last three new cars were purchased for her, that it was time for me to get what I wanted. I left the dealer in order to get my financing in place (I usually get financed through my credit union). I come here tonight to do a little research on the opinions of the members, and one issue is the deal-breaker for me. I MUST USE PRIMIUM GAS??? WTF? Hey Toyota, have you been keeping track of how much that costs now? I can't justify buying premium gas! I got kids to feed and clothe! I'm not willing to pay the difference between regular and premium. I really like the FJ but I love my kids better and I'm not going to take more money from the household funds then need be. There's a lot I can buy my kids with the difference (over time) between regular and premium. No wonder the target customer for the FJ are guys in their twenties.
Rav4 here we come.
I know several FJ cruiser owners putting Regular or Midgrade in thier cars - I put midgrade in mine no problems
Well I'm glad to hear all your responses because I was really upset I wasn't going to be able to buy it. Now that I'm more informed, I'm gonna go get me an FJ.
Hey Toyota, have you been keeping track of how much that costs now? I can't justify buying premium gas! I got kids to feed and clothe! I'm not willing to pay the difference between regular and premium. I really like the FJ but I love my kids better and I'm not going to take more money from the household funds then need be. There's a lot I can buy my kids with the difference (over time) between regular and premium. No wonder the target customer for the FJ are guys in their twenties.
Rav4 here we come.
You're kidding right?
If you're that strapped for cash, you shouldn't even be looking at a new car, let alone one which has just been introduced, and selling at full retail. And what are you doing looking at gas guzzling trucks for anyway? You should be looking at cars, and saving for your kids' college educations.
The FJ isn't designed to be a family car (thankfully). If it was, it would have had four real doors.
__________________ 2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited 4x4, Phantom Gray
Kenwood 6019 headunit, PAC-ALP unit, Kenwood rear-view camera, Polk DB 6750 front components, Polk DB 675 rear components. Dynamat all 4 doors. JL Stealthbox(10" JL Sub), 250/1 JL Mono amp,
Rhino lined bed, Front skid-plate, Husky form-fitted floor mats, Vent shades all 4 doors, Bug shield,
ARE LS II Tonneau Shell, Bobble-Head Buck on dash
Borla Dual Exhaust
Security System: Kimber CDP II .45 ACP and Glock 36
You blew it for me Toyota!!!!
Re: You blew it for me Toyota!!!!
FJ Mileage and misc. reactions
Linear Mode
