The Types Of Fuel A Toyota Camry Uses (Explained)

We did a ton of research on different models of Toyota Camry to answer specific questions that you have. Today we will look at one of the critical questions that our readers ask for Toyota Camry – What kind of gas is best suited for Camry?

To find the answer, we’ve done thorough research from the owner’s manuals of Camry produced since 2007 and compiled the information to provide you with a quick explanation.

Toyota Camry comes with various engine models, including 2.5L engine and V6 3.5L engine, and hybrid models. All these models are designed to use high-quality unleaded “regular” gasoline with an octane rating of 87. There will not be any performance change if you use high-quality fuel with a higher octane rating.

Because Toyota typically designs its vehicles with a wide range of drivers in mind, we see similarly simple fuel requirements in most other Toyotas including the Sequoia, 4Runner, and Tundra.

However, there’s more to consider when it comes to the Camry and we’ll discuss in detail how different fuels are better or worse for your car’s durability and performance and identify the correct type of fuel at the gas station so you can keep your Camry running 200,000+ miles that it should. We’ll also look at the mileage of different models. Finally, we will answer some other questions about the fuel requirements of the Toyota Camry. Read on!

Fuel Requirements Based on Engine Type

Many people believe that choosing the appropriate fuel can increase your car’s performance; however, this isn’t true, even if your state’s dealership has a different story.

Octane ratings are used to assess fuel quality; 87 octanes are considered standard, 89 octanes are deemed mid-range, and 91 octanes or more are considered premium.

Octane ratings aren’t a measure of performance; instead, they demonstrate how resistant a fuel is to pre-heating. Your Toyota engine runs on a mixture of gasoline and air. If you raise the density of this molecule before it burns, you can gain more energy.

However, this will result in pre-ignition, which is the premature burning of fuel. As a result, when you use high-quality fuel, you enhance resistance ahead of time and don’t expend too much energy. Preheating the engine can harm it, and repairing it might not be easy.

2018-Present

The standard engine is included in the Eighth Generation Toyota Camry and has four cylinders, a 2.5 L 4-cylinder (A25A-FKS) engine that generates a power of 203 horsepower and torque 184 pounds [184 kg].

Camry’s XLE and XSE trims include a 3.5-liter V6 engine of your choice with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Both engines perform best with high-quality unleaded “regular” Gasoline with an octane rating of 87 (Research Octane Number 91).

2012-2017

Toyota Camry again comes with a 2.5L and 3.5L V6 engine. Both of these again perform best with regular Gasoline with an octane rating of 87.

2009 – 2011:

Toyota Camry again comes with a 2.5L and 3.5L V6 engine. Both of these again perform best with regular Gasoline, with an octane rating of 87.  

What Type Of Fuel Does the Toyota Camry Hybrid Use?

The Toyota Camry Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline, typically with an octane rating of 87. Its hybrid powertrain combines this gasoline with an electric motor, contributing to efficient fuel consumption. Premium gasoline is unnecessary as the Camry Hybrid is designed to perform optimally with standard unleaded fuel.

This is typical for a Toyota hybrid and we see the same fuel requirements in everything from the Avalon hybrid to the Prius and Sienna.

Does The Toyota Camry Require Premium Fuel?

In short, your Toyota Camry doesn’t need premium fuel. Whether you’re driving a 2.5L, a V6 3.5L, or a hybrid model, it’s designed to run great on regular unleaded gas with an 87 octane rating. Don’t worry about splurging on premium your Camry will still give you same performance.

What Gasoline Can and Can’t be Used?

There is a variety of Gasoline available in the market which can be used in Toyota Camry. Let’s look at the types of gasoline and how they affect the performance of Camry.

Gasoline Containing MMT

Some gasoline contains MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl), which is an octane enhancing additive. Gasoline with MMT is prohibited in various cities of the US.

This is because that long-term usage of MMT will result in the accumulation of Mn-containing deposits on engine and emissions system components, compromising vehicle emissions performance and longevity.

Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing MMT. If Gasoline with MMT is added, then the malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on.

Note: MMT level is not mentioned on the fuel pump; ask the supplier or the gas station for information.

Leaded Gasoline

Leaded Gasoline is not recommended for your Toyota Camry. Leaded Gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic converters causing the emission control system to malfunction.

Gasoline Additives

Gasoline containing oxygenates such as ether, ethanol, and renewable fuel is available in some cities. These oils are commonly accepted for use, as long as it meets other fuel requirements. Toyota recommends this fuel because the composition allows for a reduction in car discharge.

Ethanol in Gasoline

Use of Gasoline containing less than 15 percent of ethanol is recommended. Do not use Gasoline from pumps labeled as E30, E50, E85, as they refer to ethanol content in Gasoline to be 30%, 50%, 85%, respectively.

Cars that use this mixture generally have lower miles per gallon but reach higher horsepower and torque numbers. A gallon of ethanol contains less energy than a liter of Gasoline, leading to a reduction in fuel economy when using your car.

The economic impact of fuel varies according to the energy difference in the organization used. For example, E85 containing 83% of ethanol content is less than 27% per gallon of fuel (the impact on fuel production decreases as ethanol content decreases).

Fuel engines in gasoline vehicles, including FFVs, are optimized for Gasoline. If they were designed to work with high ethanol blends, the fuel economy would go up because of engine efficiency.

Addition of Cleaning Detergent

Toyota recommends the use of fuel-containing cleaning additives in the Camry.

Detergents are essential because they keep parts of the fuel system clean and prevent the formation of large amounts of carbon in places such as injectors, feed valves, and fire chambers.

These are linked to significant problems – they can disrupt proper airflow, affecting fuel/air balance, reduce fuel economy, provide less fuel, and increase vehicle emissions—all of the issues that can end up costing you money.

Note: All petrol cars sold in the U.S contain minimal cleaning additives that clean and/or maintain a healthy intake system.

What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine?

In the owner’s manual of Toyota Camry, it’s said that hearing a knocking sound occasionally when accelerating or driving up the hill is normal. Still, if you hear a prolonged knocking sound, it is recommended that you consult a Toyota dealer.

It may be primarily because of the fuel that you may have used. The fuel may be of low octane rating and can damage your vehicle.

Does The Toyota Camry Have A Good Gas Mileage?

2018-Present

Standard front-wheel drives Toyota Camry comes with an EPA-estimated 28 MPG city and 39 MGP highways. This is when it runs on 2.5L 4- cylinder engine, which uses Dual Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i).

Apart from the standard Front-Wheel, Toyota Camry, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is also available. Your car can get up to an EPA-estimated 25 MPG city and 34 MPG highway with the AWD system.

The 2021 Camry is available with a sporty 3.5L V6; this allows you to put more power and enhance the performance of your car. Also, with this performance-enhanced engine, you will get an EPA of 22 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

Toyota Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, a 259-volt lithium-ion battery, and a 650-volt electric motor. This trio unites to achieve an EPA-estimated 51 MPG city and 53 MPG highway.

While you’ll enjoy making fewer pitstops, the Camry Hybrid also keeps things fun with 208 total system horsepower.

You can also check out a real-world fuel test of the 2023 Camry for an even deeper dive here:

Engine	City	Highway	Combined
2.5L (FWD)	28 MPG	39MPG	34MPG
2.5L (AWD)	25 MPG	34 MPG	29MPG
2.5L(Hybrid)	51 MPG	53 MPG	52MPG
3.5 L V6	22 MPG	33 MPG	26MPG

2011-2017

Engine	City	Highway	Combined
2.5 L	25MPG	34 MPG	28MPG
Hybrid	38MPG	42MPG	40MPG
3.5L	21MPG	30MPG	25MPG

2009-2011

With its Hybrid engine, the Toyota Camry could gain a mileage of 35 MPG on the highway. Although upgraded to its 3.5-liter V-6 engine, Camry can still get a pipeline economy of about 31 MPG.

Engine	City	Highway	Combined
2.4 L	22MPG	32 MPG	26MPG
Hybrid	31MPG	35MPG	33MPG
3.5L	20MPG	29MPG	23MPG
1.8l	27MPG	35MPG	30MPG

What Is the Fuel Tank Capacity of Toyota Camry?

Toyota Camry Hybrid comes with a capacity of 15.8 gallons. 2002-2011 Camry 2.5L engine and V6 3.5L has a fuel capacity of 70L, while the 20011-2017 models come with a fuel tank of around 17 gallons.

The latest 2022 Camry model-LE203-HP 2.5L 4-Cylinder 8-Speed Automatic comes, while LEAWD 2.5L 4-Cylinder 8-Speed Auto comes with 14.4 gallons tanks, and the Hybrid model has a tank of 13.2 gallons.

How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a Toyota Camry?

Filling up the latest Camry 2.5L engine model tank would cost you around 42.24$ in Mississippi, which is the cheapest state where you can get your tank filled at such a low cost. California is the most expensive state where filling the whole tank would take 69.36$.

It would have cost you 35.84 $ in Mississippi and 67.94 $ in California when filling models between 2002-2011. At the same time, it would cost you around 47.6 $ in Mississippi and 73.1 $ in California for filling tanks of model between 2011-2017.

Closing Thoughts

To sum it all up, when it comes to fueling your Toyota Camry, the manufacturer’s guidelines are pretty straightforward. No matter the engine size – whether it’s a 2.5L, a V6 3.5L, or even a hybrid model – your Camry is designed to run smoothly on high-quality unleaded “regular” gasoline with an octane rating of 87.

Upgrading to a higher octane won’t necessarily give you a performance boost. So, you can save yourself a bit of cash at the pump, knowing that you’re still giving your Camry exactly what it needs to perform at its best. As always, we’ve done the deep dive so you can drive with confidence.

But that’s not the only topic we’ve done a deep dive on and there’s a lot more to know when it comes to the Camry. From the reliability of the transmission to the most common problems you can expect with the hybrid or gasoline models we’ve covered just about everything there is to know about the Camry!

Sources

• Toyota Camry Gas Mileage
• Gas Mileage of 2014 Camry
• 2017 Toyota Camry Owner’s manual
• 2021 Toyota Camry Owner’s manual
• 2019 Toyota Camry Owner’s manual