The Corolla is a high-selling line of compact and subcompact cars manufactured by Japanese auto giant Toyota. The Corolla is a reasonably fuel efficient model, and users want to get the best mileage out of their vehicles while ensuring they remain properly maintained. New Corolla owners should read their owner's manual for specifications relating to fuel type, as some basic guidelines apply.
"Octane rating" refers to how efficiently the fuel burns; the higher the number, the more efficient the fuel. Toyota recommends a minimum octane rating of 87 in fuel for the Corolla. A rating of 87 octane represents the standard in the United States and Canada.
Fuel with an octane rating of 89 or 91 is unlikely to increase fuel economy in the Corolla, as Toyota does not design it specifically for high-octane fuel consumption. E85 gasoline is a special blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline. Although not recommended, the Corolla can run on E85 with few problems. Drivers may notice a small decrease in overall gas mileage with E85.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Toyota Corolla gets 35 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 26 mpg in the city for a combined 29 mpg. The Corolla can travel approximately 345 miles on a full tank of gas. Based on a fuel price of $2.58 per gallon, an individual driving 15,000 miles in a year would spend approximately $1,334 annually on gas.
