GS 430 and different grades of gas
10-20-12, 08:46 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
GS 430 and different grades of gas
I posted this as a response to another thread, and after searching I could not find any discussion of using different grades of gas, so thought I would start this as a separate thread.
There is something seriously wrong with that kind of gas mileage. I have recorded and manually calculated mileage and gas consummation on my 06 GS430 since I got it. In the last 40,000 miles the worst in town has been 24 mile per Imperial gallon, which is 10% bigger than a U.S. gallon so still 21.5 miles per gallon. Highway it runs 28 to 32 mpg, depending on how hard I am dangling. Again, need to deduct 10% to get US equivalent, so 25.3 to 28.8.
I have also done a lot of testing using 87, 89 and 92 octane fuel. In town, there is absolutely no difference in mileage on any of them. On the highway, at speed limit and driving normal, absolutely no noticeable difference. In the mountains on twisty roads and spirited driving, the 92 octane is more responsive, particularly at higher elevation, and gets 2 to 3 mpg better mileage.
Using regular saves me 80 cents a US gallon or almost 16%, so I use regular in town and for flat land highway driving. Save the high test for the mountains. What have others experienced trying this?
I have also done a lot of testing using 87, 89 and 92 octane fuel. In town, there is absolutely no difference in mileage on any of them. On the highway, at speed limit and driving normal, absolutely no noticeable difference. In the mountains on twisty roads and spirited driving, the 92 octane is more responsive, particularly at higher elevation, and gets 2 to 3 mpg better mileage.
Using regular saves me 80 cents a US gallon or almost 16%, so I use regular in town and for flat land highway driving. Save the high test for the mountains. What have others experienced trying this?
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ambientgs (02-06-23)
10-20-12, 10:09 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
I agree 14mpg is way too low. Mine is GS430 too and my lowest ever is *checking record* 18.8mpg. That is all city driving and I think happy feet too and might be over fill in the next tank too, so it subtract from this tank.
btw, I use all regular. I tried 3 tanks of Premium gas once, mpg dive a bit and it didn't feel good so I went back to Regular gas. And here in MD they don't do winter/summer gas either, just 10% ethanol.
ETHANOL SUX. Please ppl, grow a brain. You are saving 5cents with ethanol but food price go up in dollars (not cents). You are shooting yourself in the foot and feet and arms with this ethanol ****. All things go up when ethanol is use for gas.
btw, I use all regular. I tried 3 tanks of Premium gas once, mpg dive a bit and it didn't feel good so I went back to Regular gas. And here in MD they don't do winter/summer gas either, just 10% ethanol.
ETHANOL SUX. Please ppl, grow a brain. You are saving 5cents with ethanol but food price go up in dollars (not cents). You are shooting yourself in the foot and feet and arms with this ethanol ****. All things go up when ethanol is use for gas.
10-20-12, 08:19 PM
#5
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High compression engines. The higher octane prevents early ignition (AKA - knocking). It's only an issue when the engine is under a load (i.e. hard acceleration or going uphill) and even then the knock sensors adjust the timing to account for it. It results in a loss of power and possibly slightly worse MPG's.
10-20-12, 08:56 PM
#6
High compression engines. The higher octane prevents early ignition (AKA - knocking). It's only an issue when the engine is under a load (i.e. hard acceleration or going uphill) and even then the knock sensors adjust the timing to account for it. It results in a loss of power and possibly slightly worse MPG's.
Stop trying to save a few bucks, you guys purchased a car that MSRP'd at 60k (430 owners anyway).
A few bucks is not a HUGE compensation when it comes to your engine knocking. Although our engines have very good knock sensors, I still rather be safe than sorry and just end up going with the 93 octane. Like Anthrax and Passnu have said, there is a higher reason that our cars use 93 octane (higher compression pistons for performance vs low performance economical engines).
10-21-12, 02:07 AM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
DING DING DING DING, right on the money
Stop trying to save a few bucks, you guys purchased a car that MSRP'd at 60k (430 owners anyway).
A few bucks is not a HUGE compensation when it comes to your engine knocking. Although our engines have very good knock sensors, I still rather be safe than sorry and just end up going with the 93 octane. Like Anthrax and Passnu have said, there is a higher reason that our cars use 93 octane (higher compression pistons for performance vs low performance economical engines).
Stop trying to save a few bucks, you guys purchased a car that MSRP'd at 60k (430 owners anyway).
A few bucks is not a HUGE compensation when it comes to your engine knocking. Although our engines have very good knock sensors, I still rather be safe than sorry and just end up going with the 93 octane. Like Anthrax and Passnu have said, there is a higher reason that our cars use 93 octane (higher compression pistons for performance vs low performance economical engines).
Around town or on flat steady highway cruising, it is a waste of natural resources, not to mention paying an extra $2,500 for fuel, every 40 thousand miles for no benefit. I bought the car used and paid all of $25,000 for it in 2008 so in 200 thousand miles the gas savings are half the price of the car. I don't consider that just a few bucks.
Do as you like, but octane has a specific use in car and aircraft fuel. If it isn't serving that purpose it is being wasted.
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10-22-12, 03:21 PM
#9
I have been running high compression as well as heavily boosted engines for years. Octane is needed in high compression under heavy load, or with med compression under heavy boost/load. In the Lexus, the compression, combined with light load and good computer control means that in normal driving the extra Octane is in fact wasted. If you aren't using the performance and you aren't getting better mileage, and you aren't hearing any knock, then you have more octane than the motor can efficiently use or in fact requires. Above 5000 feet I agree the high octane is well worth using. It gives noticeably better power and better gas mileage.
Around town or on flat steady highway cruising, it is a waste of natural resources, not to mention paying an extra $2,500 for fuel, every 40 thousand miles for no benefit. I bought the car used and paid all of $25,000 for it in 2008 so in 200 thousand miles the gas savings are half the price of the car. I don't consider that just a few bucks.
Do as you like, but octane has a specific use in car and aircraft fuel. If it isn't serving that purpose it is being wasted.
Around town or on flat steady highway cruising, it is a waste of natural resources, not to mention paying an extra $2,500 for fuel, every 40 thousand miles for no benefit. I bought the car used and paid all of $25,000 for it in 2008 so in 200 thousand miles the gas savings are half the price of the car. I don't consider that just a few bucks.
Do as you like, but octane has a specific use in car and aircraft fuel. If it isn't serving that purpose it is being wasted.
..This is granted that I do hit the throttle harder than usual when accelerating and whatnot
10-25-12, 01:40 PM
#10
I put super. I also like to open the motor up once in a while, its just too much fun. Love this motor.
14-16 MPG city, and 22-25 mpg highway. Difference between regular and super on a tank is a few bucks only.
14-16 MPG city, and 22-25 mpg highway. Difference between regular and super on a tank is a few bucks only.
