Premium fuel really needed?
02-11-16, 03:46 PM
#61
And what else could be the reason? They are the same engines. There is no difference.
02-11-16, 09:34 PM
#63
Pole Position
I always understood that higher compression engines should use premium / high octane because of possible pinging.
I might venture a guess (after all, we are on the internet here my ignorance should be no object!
) that the high octane is a requirement when you are running at "maximum" to meet the published specs (of hp, top, speeds, towing). In other words, towing heavy trailers, or loaded to or near the max cargo weight rating, or running at extremely high speeds. But hey, really, how often is that happening, if ever?
I'm running premium for now, but I'm open. In my area we get some very low temps, I wonder if premium has any advantages to starting a low temps? Not that the LX has an issue, but my honda oddy is more sensitive to the very low temps...I should try to compare starting ability of reg v prem. Tough to get the comparison right, and tough if it doesn't work then the van is dead and wifey very unhappy.
J
I might venture a guess (after all, we are on the internet here my ignorance should be no object!
) that the high octane is a requirement when you are running at "maximum" to meet the published specs (of hp, top, speeds, towing). In other words, towing heavy trailers, or loaded to or near the max cargo weight rating, or running at extremely high speeds. But hey, really, how often is that happening, if ever? I'm running premium for now, but I'm open. In my area we get some very low temps, I wonder if premium has any advantages to starting a low temps? Not that the LX has an issue, but my honda oddy is more sensitive to the very low temps...I should try to compare starting ability of reg v prem. Tough to get the comparison right, and tough if it doesn't work then the van is dead and wifey very unhappy.
J
I think you'd get easier starting with an engine pre-heater v. 3 or 4 points difference in octane. A heated battery blanket wouldn't hurt either.
I would also like to hear why from Toyota.
LX is the 3rd Lexus currently in my family and I also own 3 other Toyota vehicles now. I would like to know why Toyota wants me to spend more for the fuel than necessary. Why they lie to me in their answer for my question - they said that LX engine is designed for high octane fuel...
LX is the 3rd Lexus currently in my family and I also own 3 other Toyota vehicles now. I would like to know why Toyota wants me to spend more for the fuel than necessary. Why they lie to me in their answer for my question - they said that LX engine is designed for high octane fuel...
The LX will run just fine with regular gasoline as it will with premium...unless you can feel 2 hp at wide-open-throttle in the seat of your pants. If you don't want "to spend more for the fuel than necessary", buy regular.
Steve
02-11-16, 11:32 PM
#64
Has anyone considered the vagaries of the difference in "Premium" from one pump location to the next? In many parts of the world the way they measure Octane is different. Ron or RON/MON etc... Without getting into it, our Regular in some countries is Premium and in others our Premium might be Mid Grade.
02-12-16, 07:06 AM
#65
Pole Position
Has anyone considered the vagaries of the difference in "Premium" from one pump location to the next? In many parts of the world the way they measure Octane is different. Ron or RON/MON etc... Without getting into it, our Regular in some countries is Premium and in others our Premium might be Mid Grade.
Funny you mentioned it, in our area there is one gas station that sells premium 91 octane fuel that consistently gets on average 2 miles per gallon better mileage than the rest. It is a privately owned small town gas station. The trouble is, their fuel is about 20 cents per gallon more expensive than the rest. I do not know how to explain any of it. But when I am passing thru' on (nearly) empty, I always stop and fill up. Doing so, I have a feeling that I am "pampering" my truck.
02-12-16, 08:18 AM
#66
Pole Position
Funny you mentioned it, in our area there is one gas station that sells premium 91 octane fuel that consistently gets on average 2 miles per gallon better mileage than the rest. It is a privately owned small town gas station. The trouble is, their fuel is about 20 cents per gallon more expensive than the rest. I do not know how to explain any of it. But when I am passing thru' on (nearly) empty, I always stop and fill up. Doing so, I have a feeling that I am "pampering" my truck.
Is your station selling non-ethanol?
Steve
02-12-16, 08:38 AM
#67
Pole Position
They all claim to sell premium non-ethanol, and I make sure that's what I always get. Yet only fuel from that one gas station provides 2 miles per gallon better mileage @ a higher price per gallon. Its also a well known fact in the community.Hence the mystery remains.
02-12-16, 08:43 AM
#68
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Non-ethanol (pure gas) is the way to go if you can find it. Never once have I concerned myself with how much premium versus regular costs.
I drive easy (mix of highway/city) and get between 17-19 mpg consistently with 89-octane, plus, pure gas.
273.5 miles/qtr on the gauge (though there are 10 gals in the tank)/17.4 avg mixed driving
02-12-16, 01:45 PM
#69
02-12-16, 06:39 PM
#70
I get 2 - 3 mpg better in all my vehicles with ethanol free gas. If "all" stations are claiming ethanol free then I suggest you pay the $25 and buy a test kit from the internet and test it yourself. I have, and not all stations claiming ethanol free really not ethanol free.
02-12-16, 10:07 PM
#71
Pole Position
I get 2 - 3 mpg better in all my vehicles with ethanol free gas. If "all" stations are claiming ethanol free then I suggest you pay the $25 and buy a test kit from the internet and test it yourself. I have, and not all stations claiming ethanol free really not ethanol free.
05-29-17, 11:45 PM
#72
no has nothing to do with marketing and everything to do with engine timing and compression. you can run 87 octane but you lose power and the engines internal efficiency gets affected. The timing on L cars vs T is all ECU based. Run the 93.
05-29-17, 11:49 PM
#73
05-29-17, 11:57 PM
#74
illegal in states to be ethanol free in fuel now. You can get 91 that is ethanol free from a distributor but mass sale of straight gasoline outlawed. Gasahol is great. Personally wish this car had been set up to run E85, benefits there are great.
05-30-17, 01:46 AM
#75
Pole Position
Sorry but alcohol lacks the energy of gas and the main reason we have it in our gas is to fatten the coffers of the corn growing states. Even the EPA blew up because of the amount of environmental damage occurring to the streams and rivers near these corn field. But due to a strong "corn lobby", the applied money to the complainers and the public continues to get duped.
There is nothing beneficial about putting alcohol in our fuel. It attracts water and can make a mess of your fuel system. Some want to increase alcohol to 20% soon.
It is not illegal here and if you want to pay for alcohol free gas, it is available at the pump if you look around for it. I use it in the boat and jetski.
There is nothing beneficial about putting alcohol in our fuel. It attracts water and can make a mess of your fuel system. Some want to increase alcohol to 20% soon.
It is not illegal here and if you want to pay for alcohol free gas, it is available at the pump if you look around for it. I use it in the boat and jetski.
Last edited by ggebhardt; 05-30-17 at 08:31 AM.