[ken88]

Hello all,

I recently bought 2019 Camry SE and have question about the gas type. In the manual it said I need to use regular gas type (87 and above) but in Colorado, our regular is 85 and mid level is 89 (most gas station in my area). I'm really confused which one I need to use for my car. Thanks

 

[Vangm25]

I'd use 89 octane but my bet is plenty of people use 85 octane and our fine. It's your call.

 

[ken88]

@Vangm25 Do we get better gas mileage by using the 89 or it is the same?

 

[Vangm25]

@Vangm25 Do we get better gas mileage by using the 89 or it is the same?

That is a gas debate I don't feel like debating on...

 

[Luftmasse]

My suggestion is to try it. 85 and 89. And stick with the one you like. Because you are the one that is paying for the gas, not anyone else.

 

[mattviper]

does your manual have a warning about engine pinging if using under 87?

 

[driz]

Ask a local dealer. I doubt very much it matters though. As long as it doesn’t ping its fine . That’s the long standing thought on regular vs.high test.


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[fungabriel]

I'm guessing the reason colorado has 85 and not 87 is because of the altitude?

 

[alanwagen]

Octane is the ability of a fuel to resist knock, and high-compression engines tend to knock more. The obverse of that is that lower-compression engines can run on lower-octane gas. Air is thinner the higher above sea level you go. Less air going into the cylinders means less pressure at top dead center when things go bang. It's a lot like lowering the compression ratio in the engine, reducing the need for high octane. Cars will run just fine on lower-octane fuel when they're well above sea level--and all of those states are. Hopefully, by the time you get back down to denser air, you've burned off most of the low-octane stuff, and can refill the tank with higher-grade fuel.

 

[got-rice]

My guess is that the OP is new to the state he lives in (Colorado), as I don't think I've seen 85 anywhere I've been and I would think most CO residents already know this. Only time I've been there was flying through DIA, but not outside.

 

[Joey1231]

Hello all,

I recently bought 2019 Camry SE and have question about the gas type. In the manual it said I need to use regular gas type (87 and above) but in Colorado, our regular is 85 and mid level is 89 (most gas station in my area). I'm really confused which one I need to use for my car. Thanks

What's the price difference?

 

[ken88]

What's the price difference?

It's about 35 cents difference per gallon.

 

[ken88]

My guess is that the OP is new to the state he lives in (Colorado), as I don't think I've seen 85 anywhere I've been and I would think most CO residents already know this. Only time I've been there was flying through DIA, but not outside.

I have been living in CO for more than 10 years and yes we used 85 as regular. Mid grade is 89 and some station don't even have mid grade level, they jump directly from 85-91

 

[ken88]

Ask a local dealer. I doubt very much it matters though. As long as it doesn’t ping its fine . That’s the long standing thought on regular vs.high test.

Yeah I will probably ask them to see what they are recommended. Thanks

 

[Joey1231]

What's the price difference?

Yikes!

 

[SFCamry]

Hello all,

I recently bought 2019 Camry SE and have question about the gas type. In the manual it said I need to use regular gas type (87 and above) but in Colorado, our regular is 85 and mid level is 89 (most gas station in my area). I'm really confused which one I need to use for my car. Thanks

Welcome to the site ken -

Different elevations have different level octane ratings. E85 gas is not an octane rating (does not mean 85 octane), that is an ethanol rating. Unless the vehicle states it can use E85 gas you do not want to put it in your tank. You are fine using the 85 octane rated gas there in CO. If you notice some knock, and you will notice it if it happens, then you would want to switch to the mid-grade rating. All octane does is manage the detonation, specifically the flame wave that may cause some detonations in the cylinder. The manul is really telling you that the lowest octane rating is the appropriate one, at least in the U.S.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Probably wont knock with high altitude engine asphyxiation and cooler weather.

Owners manual tells you what is required. If you deviate, responsibility is yours.

For non turbo engines, I would not have any issue running the USA 85 octane 3 seasons a year when at a mile high or more. I would consider midgrade for the summer.

HP Loss = (elevation x 0.03 x HP)/1000

5000x.03x200hp/1000 = 30hp loss at almost a mile high. When you choke a ~200hp 4cyl 2.5L engine down to ~170hp, you can get away with less octane. Someone can do the altitude castration math for the V6.

 

[Greasymechtech]

?

 

[ken88]

For non turbo engines, I would not have any issue running the USA 85 octane 3 seasons a year when at a mile high or more. I would consider midgrade for the summer.

I think I will stick with whatever manual said (87 and above) which is mid-grade to avoid essentially damaging to the engine.

 

[got-rice]

I think I will stick with whatever manual said (87 and above) which is mid-grade to avoid essentially damaging to the engine.

Did you ask your dealer what their owners fill up with? What car did you drive before?