96Lexboy

PREMIUM ... i feel it drives better

LexusDaisy

I have a 96 ES that I did some low test vs high test tankfulls a few years ago. Lost the exact numbers, but mileage did drop with cheapie fuel to point that it cost MORE to run the car on the cheapie blend then it did on 93 premium.

Also, performance and throttle responce took a clear hit downward, so I never run anything but 93. It's only $2-3 bucks a tankfull more.

Sorry I don't have the exact test data, but results were clear about the mileage, and I like the extra power

amf1932

Here is a page taken out of the 2007 ES Owners Manual which is exactly the same for '02 thru '06 ES's. It shows that regular grade fuel is completely accepted. You guys/gals that insist that premium fuel is the answer.....than keep dreaming, while I pocket the extra cash and spend it on things that give me much more satisfaction!

BDSL

Both of my 97 ES300 and 06 ES330 does NOT say that.

TORTOISE

Ehh regular....runs fine.

faithless

Probally gonna get 250-300 range on cheap 85 closest to dealer and needed gas and dad paid for it. But gonna try and do 91. Utah sucks in the regared to octane ratings 85 87 91 at most stations with the execption of a few and the station right by the raceway which can get 111 unleaded but then thats like $8-$12 depending on the season.

llcoolpass

premium != best gas
premium = rating of how reluctant the gas is to detonate
!= means not equal to

regular will detonate more freely than premium because regular is lower rating.

if manual calls for 91, and says you could use 87, that is just saying that the knock sensor will calibrate for the fuel. however, the problem is, it does that AFTER the gasoline causes problems!! for engine longevity and fuel economy, use the ''octane'' rating they call for [not the in an emergency rating, i.e. 87], or higher.

paintrain

every owners manual for every car on the planet tells you to use premium. doesnt mean thats the only thing you should put in ur tank. i use regular. maybe if i had a new car it use plus or premium but even the regular aint cheap

ThePill

i only use 91 octane in my car...even though its more expensive...but if you think about it...a whole tank is about give or take 2 to 3 dollars more than regular gas...plus you get more mpg...and you gotta love the power (i redline my car at least once a day)...i have about 167k on my car right now and it is still running strong

llcoolpass

paintrain, that is simply not true

BDSL

Not true.

You should only put in what is specified in the owner's manual. Do you put water in your gas tank?

Maybe if you can't follow simple instructions (i.e. owner's manual), don't drive at all.

RJ-94es300

i only use regular 85 octane. with the elevation in colorado studies say that higher octane makes no differance at this elevation plus gas here is bout 3.20 a gallon for the regular.

NorCalES

owners manual specifies 87 or greater. so why not use greater? its cleaner burning, gives better performance, and proves better gas mileage (1-2mpg greater). I know this because I drive from San Francisco to LA every other weekend. Depends on how you want to run your car. 87 will suffice and is cheaper. There will be NO damage to the ES if 87 is used. 91 is best, is more expensive, and does NOT justify the COST difference of $0.30. 1-2 mpg x 17 gallon tank is 34 extra miles on a full tank but... ($0.30 x 17 = $5.10 extra per tank; gas for premium in LA is around $4/G). if your ES gets 28 mpg like mine with 17in IS rims, then u r better off using 87, filling up one gallon earlier, and u can be cheap. but like i said... it depends on driving preference

if performance is the concern... get 91
if mpg and cost is the concern... get 87

i use 91 even though I cant afford it

BDSL

Both of my 97 ES300 and 07 ES330 specify for 91 octane in both owner's manuals...NOT 87 or higher.

NorCalES

There is no doubt in my mind that canadian owners manual (or even the japanese manual) is different from that of the US manual. USA has completely different emissions standards than the rest of the world. if you have a 97-01 like me... its a safe bet that the ecu is adjusting for any change in octane, meaning unless you put in less than 87 you will probably have nothing to worry about. dont know how the weather is in Canada but if its extremely hot or cold and you stop and go then premium will deliver better performance results

I remember when my dad got his 2000 jeep cherokee the CA edition had 5 less hp than the same model purchased in another state... Not really relevant but just goes to show you that even amongst the states there could potentially be differences

I would listen to whatever your owner manual says unless u are heavily modified engine wise.