Premium, middle grade or regular? (merged threads)
02-13-13, 02:49 PM
#256
There are too many variables:
- condition of the engine
- the climate
- acceleration / load driver exert on the engine
- the ability of knock sensor to retard the ignition timing
- traffic condition
- etc.
What works for one vehicle/driver might not work for other vehicle/driver.
Therefore, if you are knowledgeable driver and can take some small calculated risk then use 87 octane.
If you are not a knowledgeable driver, stick with 91 octane. Don't be a hero.
- condition of the engine
- the climate
- acceleration / load driver exert on the engine
- the ability of knock sensor to retard the ignition timing
- traffic condition
- etc.
What works for one vehicle/driver might not work for other vehicle/driver.
Therefore, if you are knowledgeable driver and can take some small calculated risk then use 87 octane.
If you are not a knowledgeable driver, stick with 91 octane. Don't be a hero.
02-13-13, 04:40 PM
#257
Driver School Candidate
wish we had 93 octane where I live in California.. Everywhere I been we only have 87/89/91 octane and usually 91 is 20-30 cents per gallon more expensive than 87. That said would the knock sensor being terrible in my 1MZ engine make it more susceptible to engine damage from using 87 octane?
Last edited by youngim87; 02-13-13 at 07:02 PM.
02-13-13, 06:42 PM
#258
Lead Lap
There are good reasons to use the 91, but you don't likely have any issues from the car having used 87, as long as you don't have any outward problems now you are probably just fine, no need to freak out.
02-13-13, 07:25 PM
#259
wish we had 93 octane where I live in California.. Everywhere I been we only have 87/89/91 octane and usually 91 is 20-30 cents per gallon more expensive than 87. That said would the knock sensor being terrible in my 1MZ engine make it more susceptible to engine damage from using 87 octane?
agreed.
02-13-13, 11:24 PM
#260
GREAT RESPONSES! Thanks for the feed back!!!
How many miles did the car have when you bought it? I know you said you got better performance on the HWY with 91, but did you notice any changes in your city MPG, or noticeable HP gains overall from 91? Also, did you happen to ever get over the 330 threshold with 91 octane? Thanks for your informative story, this was the type of response I was hoping for
How many miles did the car have when you bought it? I know you said you got better performance on the HWY with 91, but did you notice any changes in your city MPG, or noticeable HP gains overall from 91? Also, did you happen to ever get over the 330 threshold with 91 octane? Thanks for your informative story, this was the type of response I was hoping for
And she literally took it to the dealership for everything, from oil changes, to new tires, to even replacing the key battery. Unfortunately, I didn't notice any increase in actual city MPG. I don't quite understand your question about getting over the 330 threshold, they both have about the same mpg estimates don't they? I'm still a little unsure how to even describe the changes I felt since it was a while ago, however, there was a much more noticeable difference in the higher gears.
02-14-13, 06:51 AM
#263
Driver School Candidate
Also, thanks for all the feedback
Im thinking of weaning my ES300 to premium fuel to help the engine adjust to the higher octane due to 73k miles of regular gas being used (So the knock sensors will adjust as well). Probably fuel up with 87 for 3 full tanks and seeing what the avg. mpg I get with regular fuel and then 3 tanks of 89, and then finally move to 91. Hopefully the gas prices will drop back down by the time I start filling up with 91
02-14-13, 11:19 AM
#264
Lexus Test Driver
Not sure what you mean here. Can you elaborate?
Also, thanks for all the feedback
Im thinking of weaning my ES300 to premium fuel to help the engine adjust to the higher octane due to 73k miles of regular gas being used (So the knock sensors will adjust as well). Probably fuel up with 87 for 3 full tanks and seeing what the avg. mpg I get with regular fuel and then 3 tanks of 89, and then finally move to 91. Hopefully the gas prices will drop back down by the time I start filling up with 91
Also, thanks for all the feedback
Im thinking of weaning my ES300 to premium fuel to help the engine adjust to the higher octane due to 73k miles of regular gas being used (So the knock sensors will adjust as well). Probably fuel up with 87 for 3 full tanks and seeing what the avg. mpg I get with regular fuel and then 3 tanks of 89, and then finally move to 91. Hopefully the gas prices will drop back down by the time I start filling up with 91
Compare MPG and see which works best for you.
This thread has some more opinions and info: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...xperience.html (it is from the RX section, but still relevant here)
02-14-13, 03:49 PM
#266
Driver School Candidate
Take a look at the attached servie bulletin, on the last page.
Compare MPG and see which works best for you.
This thread has some more opinions and info: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...xperience.html (it is from the RX section, but still relevant here)
Compare MPG and see which works best for you.
This thread has some more opinions and info: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...xperience.html (it is from the RX section, but still relevant here)
02-14-13, 08:48 PM
#269
Lead Lap
02-15-13, 10:05 AM
#270
Before I get flamed for posting an already discussed topic on here I want to let you know I did about 2 hours of researching on CL and still cannot make a conclusion on what I was trying to figure out.
So, I proceed with my question: Background info - I recently bought a used, but excellent condition, 2002 ES300 with 73K miles which was driven very lightly by the 1st owner mostly for a work commute. It was driven by a woman in her 60's so I highly doubt it was driven hard and long on a daily basis. I was informed that only 87 (regular) octane gas was used as well as regular motor oil (non-synthetic). The driver's manual calls for the use of 91 octane and I have read on here that the use of lower octane, more specifically 87, would most likely cause some type of knock/pinging due to the faster burning lower octane gas which retards the engine response to the fuel quite a bit. This particular car doesn't seem to have any type of noticeable engine problems, pings, or knocks and drives very smoothly, however, I have only had the car for 3 days so far so who knows what I'll encounter *knock on wood*
My question is: Should I continue to use 87 octane gas or should I switch over to 91 octane gas for the first time in the car's life? I'd much rather put 87 to save a couple bucks at the pump and remain consistent with the previous owner. Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated (Sorry if that was a long post
)
So, I proceed with my question: Background info - I recently bought a used, but excellent condition, 2002 ES300 with 73K miles which was driven very lightly by the 1st owner mostly for a work commute. It was driven by a woman in her 60's so I highly doubt it was driven hard and long on a daily basis. I was informed that only 87 (regular) octane gas was used as well as regular motor oil (non-synthetic). The driver's manual calls for the use of 91 octane and I have read on here that the use of lower octane, more specifically 87, would most likely cause some type of knock/pinging due to the faster burning lower octane gas which retards the engine response to the fuel quite a bit. This particular car doesn't seem to have any type of noticeable engine problems, pings, or knocks and drives very smoothly, however, I have only had the car for 3 days so far so who knows what I'll encounter *knock on wood*
My question is: Should I continue to use 87 octane gas or should I switch over to 91 octane gas for the first time in the car's life? I'd much rather put 87 to save a couple bucks at the pump and remain consistent with the previous owner. Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated (Sorry if that was a long post
)
