Premium gas and/or synthetic oil?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: VA
Premium gas and/or synthetic oil?
I'm thinking about buying a 2007 ES 350. Can someone tell me if the ES 350 model uses only premium gas? And does it use only synthetic oil? If so, is the car really worth the extra expense of these products? I'll be moving from a 1997 Honda Accord, so I've been spoiled with relatively inexpensive maintenance.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,834
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From: PA
I have used 87 octane in our '07 ES350 without noticing any real difference in the loss of a few horsepower. Still use 91 - 93 octane just because I like to. Just got a little over 30 mpg on a trip from Wilkes Barre, PA to Cleveland, OH this past week. Car had three passengers / full trunk. Regarding synthetic oil, I run the car either 5,000 miles or 4 months for oil changes. It is usually the time factor for me. Synthetic oil gives better engine protection and easier starting in the frigid winter Northeast PA. Again, no need to but just peace of mind. Do get the Lexus Platinum extended warranty so that if anything goes wrong, the dealer fixes it without hassles.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 879
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From: Formerly Easton, Pa. Bradenton FL, now Osprey Fl.
I think, but not sure, the ads say you get better mileage with the synthetic oil. I have only used the synthetic. I did use the extended synthetic (Mobil 1 Extended) and only changed the filter at regular intervals. Not only easier starting but "they" say that the most wear is on start-up until the oil gets circulating, that's the reason for the 5W. I was thinking about going to 0W for the start-up thing, but my mechanic talked me out of it, said it might mess up my warranty, so I listened. As for the gas, I try and mix 89 and 93 octane to get the recommended 91. Here in Pa and New Jersey the high test is 93 and the plus is 89, I know out west (took a trip to California earlier this year) they only sell 89 and 91 so that trip I only ran 91. With the mixing I have gotten as high as 33 mpg and I wasn't letting many things pass me by. It was mostly all highway from Pittsburgh to Easton. I have an 07 ES 350 with 28k on it. So I guess you would have to experiment and see if it pays for you to run or not to run premium fuel.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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From: tx
I'm thinking about buying a 2007 ES 350. Can someone tell me if the ES 350 model uses only premium gas? And does it use only synthetic oil? If so, is the car really worth the extra expense of these products? I'll be moving from a 1997 Honda Accord, so I've been spoiled with relatively inexpensive maintenance.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Have not used synthetic oil but maybe something I should start being mine is '04' have had since new .
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 12
From: NC
I've over 67,000 miles on my 2007 ES350, with probably 64,000 of that using regular gas. I've found no difference whatsoever between 87 and 93 octane in performance or mpg.
I've used 5w/30 Mobil One in my car since my first oil change. I'm absolutely convinced it isn't necessary and I'm fairly confident that I'm wasting my money as the benefits probably don't justify the added expense. However, I'm in the habit of using it and don't plan to change.
BTW my gas mileage is 32 hwy and 26 around town. I love this car.
I've used 5w/30 Mobil One in my car since my first oil change. I'm absolutely convinced it isn't necessary and I'm fairly confident that I'm wasting my money as the benefits probably don't justify the added expense. However, I'm in the habit of using it and don't plan to change.
BTW my gas mileage is 32 hwy and 26 around town. I love this car.
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The manufacturer recommends Premium Fuel and remains mute on Synthetic Oil
My Preference in my wife's car Premium Fuel and Dino Oil. I do use Synthetic in my F, however. I tend to stress the motor more than she does. However, oil changes always between 3.5K and 4.0K miles, always.
Lou
Last edited by flowrider; Oct 23, 2009 at 08:05 AM.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 41
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From: NY
There have been many threads regarding the use of regular in premium designated vehicles. The way I understand it is that the computer adjusts itself immediately to variations in the octane. That said the engine is set up for premium fuel and my experience running both regular and premium shows that the increased gas mileage more than makes up for the difference in fuel cost.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 82
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From: Ca
I use 87 octane and regular dino oil, I know I'm losing a few ft.-lb. of torque under the rpm curve but not enough for me to care. I used synthetic in other cars and other components of the engines will fail before bearings and friction surfaces give up the ghost.
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Ca
There have been many threads regarding the use of regular in premium designated vehicles. The way I understand it is that the computer adjusts itself immediately to variations in the octane. That said the engine is set up for premium fuel and my experience running both regular and premium shows that the increased gas mileage more than makes up for the difference in fuel cost.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,610
Likes: 289
From: Illinois
I use 87 octane and dino oil in my car too. There has been a lot of discussion on this subject, and I'm comfortable with what I'm using.
The same version of Toyota's 3.5 V6 is widely used in 2 Lexus and about 5 Toyota models with some recommending premium (Lexus) and some recommending regular (Toyotas), and only minor differences in horsepower and torque. IMO you can't go wrong either say.
The same version of Toyota's 3.5 V6 is widely used in 2 Lexus and about 5 Toyota models with some recommending premium (Lexus) and some recommending regular (Toyotas), and only minor differences in horsepower and torque. IMO you can't go wrong either say.
Last edited by LexBob2; Oct 23, 2009 at 01:35 PM.