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Hi. I was recently advised that my 1997 Toyota Townace 2 ltr van would run better and with more economy if I used premium grade petrol as it is a Jap Import and Jap cars were never made to run on 95 grade. However, I have been running it on 95 ever since I got it in 2007. There's a rather large difference in price between the 2 grades of petrol so my questions are:

1. Is the advice correct?; and
2. If so, then is it worth the difference in price to change to 98?

There are many Japanese built cars that run on 91 octane fuel. You might get slightly better fuel consumption with 95 octane petrol but if you consider the price difference you will be better off financially by using the 91 octane fuel as specified (my information shows this vehicle can run on 91 RON). I wouldn't go as far as using 98 octane fuel as this will be a waste (considering the price). 98 RON is better suited to performance vehicles with high compression engines/ or forced induction motors.

using 95 octane will most likely give you slightly better fuel consumption .. The price difference between 91 and 95 octane is 8 cents and according to the AA it should be only 5 cents

.If it were only a 5 cents difference it would largely dismiss the financial argument ,and you would get a better slower burning fuel ,thus using less .
Given that 8 cents is too much difference ,and the AA are not happy with the recent petrol increase, what are the AA doing to protect the motoring public from the excessive pricing of fuels is NZ.

Really, the Subject line should be 95 vs 91 (sorry, my error). Regardless, my van has been running on 91 for several years. I have had recent 'power' problems which has been rectified with a new fuel filter but it was that mechanic that also suggested running it on 95. I just wondered whether the price difference (8c) was worth it. Of course, another way to make it 'worth while' is always fill up at BP/Caltex and get the 6c ltr discount ......

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