Super Unleaded Any Good For Towing 1.8 T4, 2003

[GVS]

I am wondering if my slow 1.8 T4 2003 Avensis might be a little better running on Super unleaded when towing our caravan. Towing is fine on the flat, but head winds or any slope means quick gear changes..... I know petrols are not good towers unless you have a big engine and my next car will be a Diesel.

Super Unleaded is a higher octane, but will this it produces more horses under the bonnet? In particular torque, would this go up at all - and would I notice????

Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

[s m smith]

I am wondering if my slow 1.8 T4 2003 Avensis might be a little better running on Super unleaded when towing our caravan. Towing is fine on the flat, but head winds or any slope means quick gear changes..... I know petrols are not good towers unless you have a big engine and my next car will be a Diesel.

Super Unleaded is a higher octane, but will this it produces more horses under the bonnet? In particular torque, would this go up at all - and would I notice????

Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

i dont think you will notice any change, years ago i had a corolla that was always pinking even when not under load, super unleaded cured the problem but the car had no extra get up and go. There was a test i think in one of the, off the shelf car magazines cant remember which one, but they stated you would only tell the differance between super and normal unleaded if you had a very high peformance car, the super made a bit of differance but wasent really worth the extra price. But you could try it youreself and see

[Beagh1958]

To GVS,

I cannot see that it would do any harm to go for one of the higher grade petrol options from one of the bigger suppliers, not so sure about torque increases, maybe an answer for other forum users. Just out of interest why did you not opt for the 2Ltr or 2.4Ltr vvti engines available in T4/Spirit ? spec, if financial then know need to answer, your business only.

If your opting for new Toyota diesel, make sure you read through the treads on forum in regards to awful fuel consumption. Having said that, i know of many many people who have never had a single problem with the 2.2Ltr diesel apart from the odd blown bulb or worn pads.

Happy hunting, Beagh.

[GVS]

To GVS,

I cannot see that it would do any harm to go for one of the higher grade petrol options from one of the bigger suppliers, not so sure about torque increases, maybe an answer for other forum users. Just out of interest why did you not opt for the 2Ltr or 2.4Ltr vvti engines available in T4/Spirit ? spec, if financial then know need to answer, your business only.

If your opting for new Toyota diesel, make sure you read through the treads on forum in regards to awful fuel consumption. Having said that, i know of many many people who have never had a single problem with the 2.2Ltr diesel apart from the odd blown bulb or worn pads.

Happy hunting, Beagh.

I bought the car well before the Caravan.... 2 problem I had, Avensis cars are light for towing (mine 1346kg kerb) and even the diesels have a max tow spec of 1300kg. So thats the figure you have to use when selecting your caravan. 2nd problem is the one described above - mainly hills and wind.

Was not willing to lash out on another car as well as buying a caravan. Will be buying another car within 1 year though - just looking for a short term fix that actually works and does not cost the earth.

Thanks all who offered answers.

G

G

[tubaman]

It didn't make any difference for me with my old 2002 VVTi 1.8 towing a 1000Kg Folding Camper.

However, I was able to get regularly 28-30mpg towing circa 55mph in 4th gear (not 5th)

[igormus]

I am wondering if my slow 1.8 T4 2003 Avensis might be a little better running on Super unleaded when towing our caravan. Towing is fine on the flat, but head winds or any slope means quick gear changes..... I know petrols are not good towers unless you have a big engine and my next car will be a Diesel.

Super Unleaded is a higher octane, but will this it produces more horses under the bonnet? In particular torque, would this go up at all - and would I notice????

Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

hello

friendly speaking i could not feel any positive changing with regards of additional power having used 95+ or 98 petrol.

all higher octanned petrol are mix of 95 and some additives. and these additives sometimes do an opposite job - resulting the rpm arrow starts jumping at cold starting. the onething i understood -- i should use 95 and safe additional expenses to pay for unknown petrol.

i have been payning more money but the result is the same !!!

buy a beer instead :)))

CHeers/Igor

[Q.S.]

I am wondering if my slow 1.8 T4 2003 Avensis might be a little better running on Super unleaded when towing our caravan. Towing is fine on the flat, but head winds or any slope means quick gear changes..... I know petrols are not good towers unless you have a big engine and my next car will be a Diesel.

Super Unleaded is a higher octane, but will this it produces more horses under the bonnet? In particular torque, would this go up at all - and would I notice????

Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

What makes you think a Diesel will be any better? Petrol engines (size for size) produce more power and more torque.

They are not as fuel efficient as diesels generally (although reading things on here, the toyots diesels don't do very good) and a diesel produces it's torque at lower revs.

When towing with a petrol engine, change down early to keep the revs up and in the power band. Don't let it drop too low in the high gear because when you change down you will be too low in the next gear for the power band. i.e. keep the revs up on the hills.

What you need for towing is a higher power to weight ratio than you have at the moment, in either petrol or diesel version.