Premium gas and/or synthetic oil?

[LexPaul]

This subject has been kicked around for a long time and at end of day use whatever you want. I use what is recommended by Lexus, premium fuel and a blended oil from the dealer. Lexus only specifies a 5W-30 oil weight.

[Joeb427]

After the free 5K change,I'll go to Amsoil at say 8K miles and will always use premium,Shell 93.

[dreyfus]

Originally Posted by ESBob72

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.

My experience differs from yours. If I'd found any decrease in my mpg or performance I'd stick with premium. But I've found no detectable difference in either with my driving habits so I'm going with the cheaper fuel.

The cost savings over the course of a year isn't really significant, but if I can have a couple of nice meals out with the wife using that savings it's incentive enough for me.

[pontwispa]

Originally Posted by Joeb427

After the free 5K change,I'll go to Amsoil at say 8K miles and will always use premium,Shell 93.

Great info! Really informative. It is helpful for me.

[MD350]

Originally Posted by rx300mm

I use 87 octane for both of my Lexus, RX300 and ES350.
From what I have read ES350 and 2007+ Camry V6 have same engine, hoping someone can let me know if there is a difference.

The 3.5 is also in the Sienna van, Avalon, and Rav 4 V-6. I may be missing some. 87 in my ES for 51K miles and still going strong.

[BillP]

I'm in the regular or premium makes no difference group. I've tried both a number of times on trips we take regularly to Blacksburg, VA that are about 550 miles round trip. I've have not seen a difference in fuel economy. The car runs just fine on regular. Look at the Toyota and Lexus specs on the engine, there's only four horsepower difference. I use Amsoil 0-30 for 10K miles and changing the OEM filter every 5K.

[Joeb427]

Originally Posted by BillP

I'm in the regular or premium makes no difference group. I've tried both a number of times on trips we take regularly to Blacksburg, VA that are about 550 miles round trip. I've have not seen a difference in fuel economy. The car runs just fine on regular. Look at the Toyota and Lexus specs on the engine, there's only four horsepower difference. I use Amsoil 0-30 for 10K miles and changing the OEM filter every 5K.

I plan on using the same oil.I use Amsoil 0w30 in the RX and go 7500 miles on both oil and filter.
The ES will get a yearly change as I only will do about 5K-6K miles a year.

[tromly]

Stay with premium, Shell 93, with their infusion of nitrogen, great gasoline !!

[CDN_Drew]

Just posted this in another thread, but I'll post here too.

I've played with 87/91 and while 91 is definitely better, I noticed the biggest difference when I changed from regular oil to Pennzoil Platinum synthetic. Night and day difference in smoothness and engine response. Less grumble, and more willing to leap to life. Totally worthwhile with an oil change using about 1.2 jugs of $20 PP oil.

[hughh]

Originally Posted by jrey330/04

Here in Tx they have consistently reccommended plus - which is 89 oct

Have not used synthetic oil but maybe something I should start being mine is '04' have had since new .

Yeah, they recommend high octane in these parts of Texas as well. I don't use it anymore in my 07 GS350 as it runs well with low octane without any problems and no detectable loss of either power or MPG.

This is the first car I have NOT used synthetic oil in many years. My last car, a BMW came with synthetic oil from factory and the free oil changes used the same type oil. If I decide to keep the Lexus at the end of my lease I will certainly change to synthetic. I have used Mobile1 since it first came out in the '70's.

[hughh]

Originally Posted by tromly

Stay with premium, Shell 93, with their infusion of nitrogen, great gasoline !!

All gas sold in the U.S. uses nitrogen. Shell's Marketing Division does an outstanding job.