Fuel Octane Rating for a 1997 ES300?!

PDXLex · 08-05-09, 02:49 PM

I'm curious if it is really necessary to run premium fuel in a 1997 Lexus ES300? The owners manual states 87 Octane is adequate, but I have heard different opinions from several sources stating that the car requires 91 Octane Fuel...Is this really necessary, or am I just wasting my money on expensive gas?

Woogie · 08-05-09, 06:13 PM

89 Octane is what I use. The difference between 87 and 89 or 91 and 89 is very minimal. Let's say the difference is 10 cents and let's assume you're getting 12-14 gallons per fill-up... you're spending only an additional 1.20-1.40 per fill-up.

ASG14 · 08-05-09, 07:04 PM

Only thing 91 will get you is a couple more hp. Only reason I use 93 in my car is I have to for the SuperCharger. I was using 87 before.

Lexusfreak · 08-05-09, 07:15 PM

Why not try running your ES for an entire month on premium.....document your findings & do the same on regular? Let us know.

I run my 05 ES 330 on regular.....Sunoco 87......I do not get any better or worse fuel economy than running Ultra 94......and my engine purrs like a kitten.

tromly · 08-07-09, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexusfreak

Why not try running your ES for an entire month on premium.....document your findings & do the same on regular? Let us know.

I run my 05 ES 330 on regular.....Sunoco 87......I do not get any better or worse fuel economy than running Ultra 94......and my engine purrs like a kitten.

+1, an excellent idea, please let us know

Bdub215 · 08-05-09, 08:39 PM

the car doesnt require 91 but you wont be wasting your money on it. higher octane numbers burn slower = better

01LEXPL · 08-05-09, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdub215

the car doesnt require 91 but you wont be wasting your money on it. higher octane numbers burn slower = better

Someone on a local forum [to me] did just this. Anyways findings show:

Both fuels = same thing. The difference is negligible. Although the driving style has a lot to do with. This test was done using typical/repeating driving habits.

I run it on 87. And if it happens to be cheap i'll pour in some 91/94 a few gallons or so. I never actually ran it on a full tank of premium.

Lexusfreak · 08-06-09, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01LEXPL

I run it on 87. And if it happens to be cheap i'll pour in some 91/94 a few gallons or so. I never actually ran it on a full tank of premium.

Yup I do the same thing when premium is cheap.

Hey 01LEXPL, where abouts in Ontario are you located? I'm quite interested in doing the LED's for my 05 ES 330.

01LEXPL · 08-06-09, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexusfreak

Yup I do the same thing when premium is cheap.

Hey 01LEXPL, where abouts in Ontario are you located? I'm quite interested in doing the LED's for my 05 ES 330.

Nations' capital.

Lexusfreak · 08-06-09, 10:53 AM

Coolio

285exp · 08-06-09, 09:59 AM

I would think that the Lexus owners manual would be the definitive source, and since they say that regular is ok then disregard the other sources. I have a 1997 ES300 that I have owned since new. I have run it on both, and found no measureable difference using premium, so I now use only regular.

Quote:

the car doesnt require 91 but you wont be wasting your money on it. higher octane numbers burn slower = better

You will be wasting your money unless there is a noticeable increase in either power or fuel economy, and there won't be.

Bdub215 · 08-06-09, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 285exp

I would think that the Lexus owners manual would be the definitive source, and since they say that regular is ok then disregard the other sources. I have a 1997 ES300 that I have owned since new. I have run it on both, and found no measureable difference using premium, so I now use only regular.

You will be wasting your money unless there is a noticeable increase in either power or fuel economy, and there won't be.

to each his own but i've noticed a difference from using premium all the time and just trying 87 for laughs. my car ran horrible with it and pinged crazy. that is why i dont and will probably never use regular gas.

tromly · 10-24-09, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 285exp

I would think that the Lexus owners manual would be the definitive source, and since they say that regular is ok then disregard the other sources. I have a 1997 ES300 that I have owned since new. I have run it on both, and found no measureable difference using premium, so I now use only regula

You will be wasting your money unless there is a noticeable increase in either power or fuel economy, and there won't be.

+1, I'm a firm believer in what the Lexus engineers recommend in the owner's manual

ASG14 · 08-06-09, 10:25 PM

^ If your car is pinging on 87, you have engine issues. The owners manual states 87 is fine.

CHGO5OH · 10-22-09, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASG14

^ If your car is pinging on 87, you have engine issues. The owners manual states 87 is fine.

My car is pinging regardless of type of gas used. What could be the problem?