Just bought a 2025 ES350. I was told at the dealership that I had to put premium gas but can get away with Mid. But my owners manual says regular 87 gas. Is that accurate? A V6 turbocharged engine can take regular gas? It’s in the manual. It’s my first Lexus and I love it.

 

When I bought my 2021 ES 350 new, it ran a bit rough first thing in the morning and also later in the day upon acceleration.I tried everything else, new air cleaner, etc. then finally switched to 93 octane and the problem immediately went away. Other posters will disagree with my inference that the increased octane solved the problem. All I know is I’ve used 93 octane since about 12,000 miles and I now have a very happy car. I had taken it the dealership to report the problem. Test drove and said nothing mechanically wrong with the car and shrugged their shoulders.
Others have reported same issue.
Incidentally, go with Top Tier fuels. Keeps engine cleaner.
Our 350’s are not turbocharged.

 

87 is all you need. You should ask your dealer why they're going against the advice of the manual. You're free to use higher octane, since the only harm it will cause is to your wallet.

 

As @Shaboom said, the current ES 7gen (2019 - present) is not turbocharged, its a NA V6. While most Lexus models are designed to run optimally on premium 91+ gas, ours (ES350 & 300h) are designed to use regular 87 octane fuel. Maybe the person in the dealership is confused with other models as even the smaller NA IS350 use 91+ gas.

Using regular 87 gas on an engine designed for premium could potentially damage the engine or cause lower performance. On the other hand, using premium 91+ on a regular gas engine (ES350) will only hurt your wallet $$$; although some people have experienced better engine performance and/or MPG. YMMV

So, if money is no object or you have a rough engine condition, you can use 91+ octane fuel; otherwise as @Mike728 said, 87 is all you need.

But as always, it's preferred to use top-tier fuel stations to reduce carbon buildup on the engine.

 

87 is good to go.

 

One reason I bought my 2024 ES350 was the 3.5-liter V-6 engine. I have owned several Toyota Camry XLE models with V-6 engines over the last thirty years. My last Camry and the Avalon Touring that replaced it had exactly the same engine and transmission as the ES350. I have always followed the maker's recommendation to use regular grade fuel and have always been pleased with the engine performance. I never worry about merging onto an Interstate with this drivetrain. I was not interested in owning an ES300h, though I suppose they are not a bad car. And I would not consider buying a car with a turbocharger.

 

YMMV? Out of curiosity, what’s that mean?

 

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/...y/english/ymmv

 

In response: TYVM. 😜

 

How would a higher octane fuel harm an engine or cause lower performance?

 

He's saying using low octane on a car tuned for higher octane can possibly damage the engine/cause lower performance. Not the other way around.

Avoiding predet is really the only reason to use higher octane. Like engine oil viscosities, I tend to stick with what the engineers recommend/car is designed for.

 

Then you are likely going to want to start studying the owner’s manuals for vehicles sold in Australia, Europe, the Middle East. Because they show the viscosities recommended by the engineers. The US manuals show different ones because of politically legislated agendas. Getting the full picture can be eye-opening.

 

The 3.5L V6 is NOT turbocharged. 87 octane is perfectly adequate and backed up by basic physics.

 

I’ve always used premium in my ES 350. Runs perfectly.

 

Of course it will, as the engine computer adjusts accordingly if needed, but you’re just pending a lot more money than you need to.