08redES350

One of the big surprises when we bought our ES350 in 2008 was the terrific gas mileage. After 53k miles we are showing 28.3 mpg overall and my last tank average on a highway trip was 33.5 mpg. My only complaint is that high test gas is specified. Well, I'm using mid-grade and don't see any downside to mileage. What is the general consensus about using mid-grade in a 350 ?

LexBob2

If you do a search on this subject you'll fine A LOT of discussion. Beginning with the 2011 model year regular has been recommended after premium 2007-2010. Same engine, 4 less hp. and same EPA estimated fuel economy. I've always felt whatever you're comfortable with is fine others disagree but there is enough material to help make up your mind.

ThumperPup

i am going to post in here 3 different vehicles all of which required different fuel rattings then i will get to the point on why

first 1995 Lincoln Continental Premium required not recommended but required

2000 Cadillac STS with roller cams and a new tuning to recommend 89 or above will be ok compared to the previous year Cadillac that required 91 or higher octane

my 07 lexus ES350 premium fuel


ok so here is the reason for this post

the Lincoln never ever grove right would chug along sometimes id notice alot of difference in the gas pedal acceleration and power if i used anything lower then 91 octane
i got ride of the lincoln like almost immediately after Shell started selling V-power fuel grade

my Cadillac if i put anything lower than 89 in it i did feel a difference but it drove the same on 89 as it did on 91 or higher didn't feel any change so once every 6 k i put a bottle of techron in the fuel tank with a fill up and was fine using 89

the 07 ES350 i fuel up with regular all the time and i don't notice any difference than i do when i put 93 in there on every 10th tank fill and every 6k i add a bottle of techron fuel cleaner just to make sure it stays cleaned out
but no difference between there two

not sure if they changed any acutaly fuel tuning from 07-10 models from the 2011 to now models but
i don't notice anything that will make me pay 40 to 50 cents more a gallon

CompuMan

I have two ES350. Both 2008 models. One is a basic model and one is a ultra model. For the first two years of the ultra model I used Only Premium gasoline. After some research I now use regular (87 octane) in both and they run fine. I do put one tank of Premium in each every 2 or three months. Just for the cleaning additives. My cars run very well and around town, I average 22 mpg and above 30 mpg on trips.

garsarno

I used to use premium in my previous 2007 Ultra. Now with my 2011 Premium, no difference in mileage or performance in using regular. But I do use name brand gasoline like Sunoco or Gulf.

ThumperPup

i am a little disapointed in the MPG performance of my ES even thought i don't notice any difference with regular or premium fuel
i still don't understand how
most of you can be getting like 28-30 or even 33 avg mpg on higher trips

i can cruise like 250 mile round trip a few times a month on highway and only get like an avg of 26.5 - 27 mpg

LexBob2

I had a 2007 and 2013 ES350 and if I kept the highway speed at 70 or less would always get at least 30-32 mpg. Once I'd average over 70, the mpg would drop to 28-30. I used regular in both cars.

ThumperPup

hmm i guess when i get her back from the dealer body shop called today said they had to order a few other parts so she will be read tomorrow maybe ill just have them take it to service and do a fuel injection cleaning
maybe that would help it out
because the last trip was with a new air filter and just after an oil change and a bottle of techron
and i had one bag in the trun and one passanger in the car and i was getting maybe 27mph at about 69 mph on cruise control
i try to never go more than 4 mph over the speed limit

dreyfus

I switched back and forth between octanes when my car was newer while keeping careful mileage and performance records. I could detect no difference. So I've been using regular gas for five years now. No problems. My mileage runs about 25 around town and 32 on the highway.

jagtoes

On my 2008 I ran premium at the beginning . After 5000 miles and also viewing various discussions on different boards I switched to regular. No difference felt so when I purchased the 2010 I just kept on using regular. My mpg is the same as yours and I am surprise at it. On long trips using CC on major highways at 70mph it is always 31-33 mpg. Enjoy.

lgb0250

Ours is almost 4 yrs old now and we have never put anything in it except 87 octane.

My wife has never reset her mpg readout and it shows 28.5mpg combined city/hwy over life of car!

milirx450h

When I bought my 2010 ES I thought about the added cost of 89 over 87 octane, especially since I live in Hawaii (87 octane gas cost me about $4.15/gallon this morning). I was having my wife alternate between 87 and 89 for filling up the car but based on what I've read here I'll have her stick with just 87. Thanks for the info.

christcorp

I know this thread is a couple months old, but I just wanted to give my $0.309059834 (Inflation).

I'm an engineer. I am definitely not going to tell anyone here what I think they should use in their lexus. I personally don't care. But I live in a world of numbers and facts. And here's the "Facts" as they apply to me.

1. 91 octane gas costs $0.10 more per gallon than 87 octane does. (In my part of the world).
2. ES350 has basically an 18 gallon tank
3. At the lowest gas mileage; e.g. all in-town driving; we'll say 20mpg
4. That equal 360 miles on a full tank of gas in all city driving
5. I drive 30 miles per day to and from work
6. Full tank of gas basically lasts me 2 work weeks
7. Here's the biggie................. The cost of using 91 octane for 2 weeks, was an ADDITIONAL $1.80

I can't even get a cup of coffee for $1.80 let alone it only being the additional cost for 2 weeks of driving.

Now; if I'm on a Road-Trip; say to my family in Albuquerque; that's a 540 mile drive. At 30 mpg, that's basically 1 full tank of gas. So; for the entire trip to Albuquerque, it costs be an ADDITIONAL $1.80. Hell, the lotto ticket costs me $1 each.

Guess the point I'm trying to make is; there really isn't a big cost difference here. Even for the person who drives twice as much as me to get to work; e.g. 30 miles each way to work @ 20mpg; that means you pay an additional $1.80 Per Week. That's $93 in an entire year. I guess I just don't understand when people speak of the price of 91 vs 87. If there's a $0.30+ per gallon difference where you live, I can understand. Like I said; not telling anyone what they should do. I'm simply saying that "For Me", it costs me an additional $1.80 every 2 weeks. I find that totally insignificant compared to knowing that my vehicle will probably run cleaner and at it's maximum capabilities.

LexBob2

The math makes sense. Around here premium is $.40-$.50 more per gallon than regular. Not a deal breaker but a pretty good spread.

My thoughts are along the lines of if it's not necessary and no great benefit, why do it?

I've always said in the ES350, use what you are comfortable with and you can't go wrong either way.

christcorp

Agree Bob. Like I said, 91 vs 87 is only $0.10 difference. We are high altitude, so we also have 85. That's $0.10 less than 87. But for the people where it's $0.30+ more per gallon, I can understand the concern. Today, 85, 87 and 91 octane respectfully are: $3.06, $3.16, and $3.26. The only benefit I see, it that "supposedly", the engine will be the most efficient using the 91 they recommend. But that efficiency has to be weighed against the cost. For me, it's probably worth the extra $0.10. For others, it may not be worth the extra $0.30 per gallon.