View Poll Results: What gas do you purchase for your car?
Premium Only - I need all the ponies!
215
74.65%
Midgrade Only - Not primo but better than regular
24
8.33%
Regular - It's all the same to me
32
11.11%
Depends - Sometimes I feel like a premium, sometimes I don't
17
5.90%
Voters: 288. You may not vote on this poll
Merged 3GS Fuel Threads - Is it OK to use REGULAR gas Instead of PREMIUM?
05-13-08, 03:15 PM
#62
Lexus Connoisseur
The modern engines in our Lexus vehicles are very well engineered and designed to use Premium unleaded fuel. It's not because we have a Lexus, we must only use premium. These engines are high compression motors. High compression motors require the use of higher octane fuels. Knock sensors are there to reduce/eliminate predetonation or knocking but it's not designed to band aid knocking conditions using lower octane fuels. The factory recommends certain fuels to use for a reason and which is why they are published in your owners manual. The consumer watchdogs lead to tell you it's a waste, but they forget to tell you what consequences there are in the long run. Then you're stuck with a large repair bill later down the road.
If the cost of fuel is not an economical choice at this time, it's probably best to downgrade to a more fuel efficent car that does not require the use of premium unleaded fuel.
If the cost of fuel is not an economical choice at this time, it's probably best to downgrade to a more fuel efficent car that does not require the use of premium unleaded fuel.
Last edited by flipside909; 05-13-08 at 03:20 PM.
05-13-08, 03:23 PM
#63
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: tx
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The modern engines in our Lexus vehicles are very well engineered and designed to use Premium unleaded fuel. It's not because we have a Lexus, we must only use premium. These engines are high compression motors. High compression motors require the use of higher octane fuels. Knock sensors are there to reduce/eliminate predetonation or knocking but it's not designed to band aid knocking conditions using lower octane fuels. The factory recommends certain fuels to use for a reason and which is why they are published in your owners manual. The consumer watchdogs lead to tell you it's a waste, but they forget to tell you what consequences there are in the long run. Then you're stuck with a large repair bill later down the road.
If the cost of fuel is not an economical choice at this time, it's probably best to downgrade to a more fuel efficent car that does not require the use of premium unleaded fuel.
If the cost of fuel is not an economical choice at this time, it's probably best to downgrade to a more fuel efficent car that does not require the use of premium unleaded fuel.
05-13-08, 03:25 PM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
my rule of thumb:
you won't get rich saving 10 cents/gal on gas!
so fuggetaboutit.
i fill up once a week. 18 gals x .30 difference between crappy and premium. = $5.40
one year savings = $260. but really, you can't foresee the long term damage.
And is the mileage really identical between 87 and premium octane?
gas is not an area to be cheap on.
you can save $260 by not going to Booger King.
you won't get rich saving 10 cents/gal on gas!
so fuggetaboutit.
i fill up once a week. 18 gals x .30 difference between crappy and premium. = $5.40
one year savings = $260. but really, you can't foresee the long term damage.
And is the mileage really identical between 87 and premium octane?
gas is not an area to be cheap on.
you can save $260 by not going to Booger King.
05-13-08, 04:02 PM
#65
I see and understand everything you guys say. I have the 06 model gs300 and in the manual it states lower grade fuel is ok if premium isn't used and if knocking is heard or occurs to switch back to premium.
as for having a high comp motor that is correct and is right for older vehicles. my fit has similar compression ratio and using regular fuel is fine. regular fuel is actually more fuel efficient due to it burning slower only if the engine can take it.
as for having a high comp motor that is correct and is right for older vehicles. my fit has similar compression ratio and using regular fuel is fine. regular fuel is actually more fuel efficient due to it burning slower only if the engine can take it.
05-13-08, 04:17 PM
#67
Lexus Connoisseur
I see and understand everything you guys say. I have the 06 model gs300 and in the manual it states lower grade fuel is ok if premium isn't used and if knocking is heard or occurs to switch back to premium.
as for having a high comp motor that is correct and is right for older vehicles. my fit has similar compression ratio and using regular fuel is fine. regular fuel is actually more fuel efficient due to it burning slower only if the engine can take it.
as for having a high comp motor that is correct and is right for older vehicles. my fit has similar compression ratio and using regular fuel is fine. regular fuel is actually more fuel efficient due to it burning slower only if the engine can take it.
05-13-08, 05:35 PM
#69
I use regular for my Fit, and premium or 89 octane for my GS.
As for mileage lower grade fuel lasts longer and provide more MPG. Premium fuel burns cleaner and makes our engine have less gunk.
As for the sensors the only time it would break is if we have extremely heavy knock and the only car I have had it broke on me is my old MR2 turbo where I'd have to mod it to use a GM sensor just to last longer.
05-13-08, 07:49 PM
#72
Driver
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
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Like you said, the Fit is your commuter and a good 'beat-runner' and parking lot car. Your GS should not be treated the same way -- and if your not commuting in the GS the difference in gas price is probably a matter of cents/year and not dollars/hundreds of dollars per year!
05-13-08, 08:48 PM
#73
Lexus Connoisseur
Your Lexus was engineered to run at it's maximum efficiency (power & economy) with premium unleaded. Nothing lower.
05-13-08, 08:59 PM
#74
Lexus Connoisseur
I also forgot to add, if you're really looking to get better fuel economy, you should do many things like...
Keep your engine tuned
Check/replace your air filters regularly
Drive carefully, keep the speeds down, no jackrabbit starts
Remove excess weight from the car
and most importantly...
KEEP YOUR TIRES INFLATED PROPERLY!
Keep your engine tuned
Check/replace your air filters regularly
Drive carefully, keep the speeds down, no jackrabbit starts
Remove excess weight from the car
and most importantly...
KEEP YOUR TIRES INFLATED PROPERLY!
05-13-08, 09:06 PM
#75
Driver
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Texas
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As far as gas goes honestly it is like what a $2 or $3 dollar difference each time you pump? just pump the good stuff!!