Gas
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 853
Likes: 175
From: Ontario
i put premium in my RX350 and that was the 2gr-fe engine with only 10.8:1 compression (if I’m not mistaken)
the 2gr-fse in the 3IS is 11.8:1 compression, higher than a e46 BMW M3 which was 11.5:1.... def wouldn’t put regular in it
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,523
Likes: 2,582
Always go the highest the manufacturer recommends. In any car.
Using lower octane fuel against the recommendation will result in not only in reduced performance, but reduced fuel economy long term. You'll be spending less short term but more long term.
Using lower octane fuel against the recommendation will result in not only in reduced performance, but reduced fuel economy long term. You'll be spending less short term but more long term.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 158
Likes: 12
From: Germany, Hessen
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Fuel on base is horrible. Economy is sssoooo much better quality. I had fuels tests performed on both base gas vs economy (ESSO) using physicochemical characteristics such as density at 15 c , Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), ASTM distillation Curve, Research Octane Number( RON), Motor Octane Number (MON), PIONA (Parrafins, Isoparrafins, Olefins, Naphthenes and Aromatics) percentages and Benzene content. The numbers are in favor of ESSO having a lot better results that are better for your engine which will burn cleaner.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 370
Likes: 35
From: MO
Anyone that speaks against this is simply uneducated on the matter (no disrespect). This is direct from a Lexus master tech with over 25 years of experience, who has literally never even heard of a damage claim from use of 87.
If you want the most power out of your car, use 94. There is evidence (again, from the master tech), that the timing can indeed be advanced (under circumstances) to take advantage of it.
Next would be 93, then 92, then 91, and so on.
But if you're not concerned with POWER, then you don't have to use 91+.
Now for the bad news. If you don't use 91+, there is good evidence to support that you will lose efficiency, making a gas-guzzler engine even worse.
Your choice.
Don't listen to these sheep, there is absolutely no reason you can't run 87 octane rated fuel in your car. The manufacturer only recommends that you use 91 so they can help sell their car via hp/torque figures, as using 87 will lower the peak numbers via timing retardation.
Anyone that speaks against this is simply uneducated on the matter (no disrespect). This is direct from a Lexus master tech with over 25 years of experience, who has literally never even heard of a damage claim from use of 87.
If you want the most power out of your car, use 94. There is evidence (again, from the master tech), that the timing can indeed be advanced (under circumstances) to take advantage of it.
Next would be 93, then 92, then 91, and so on.
But if you're not concerned with POWER, then you don't have to use 91+.
Now for the bad news. If you don't use 91+, there is good evidence to support that you will lose efficiency, making a gas-guzzler engine even worse.
Your choice.
Anyone that speaks against this is simply uneducated on the matter (no disrespect). This is direct from a Lexus master tech with over 25 years of experience, who has literally never even heard of a damage claim from use of 87.
If you want the most power out of your car, use 94. There is evidence (again, from the master tech), that the timing can indeed be advanced (under circumstances) to take advantage of it.
Next would be 93, then 92, then 91, and so on.
But if you're not concerned with POWER, then you don't have to use 91+.
Now for the bad news. If you don't use 91+, there is good evidence to support that you will lose efficiency, making a gas-guzzler engine even worse.
Your choice.
ROFL @ 25 years of experience!
Mr. Master Tech 25 years experience, check this out.
Last edited by s3v3n; Mar 12, 2019 at 03:51 PM.
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Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,603
Likes: 4,788
From: GA
Don't listen to these sheep, there is absolutely no reason you can't run 87 octane rated fuel in your car. The manufacturer only recommends that you use 91 so they can help sell their car via hp/torque figures, as using 87 will lower the peak numbers via timing retardation.
Anyone that speaks against this is simply uneducated on the matter (no disrespect). This is direct from a Lexus master tech with over 25 years of experience, who has literally never even heard of a damage claim from use of 87.
If you want the most power out of your car, use 94. There is evidence (again, from the master tech), that the timing can indeed be advanced (under circumstances) to take advantage of it.
Next would be 93, then 92, then 91, and so on.
But if you're not concerned with POWER, then you don't have to use 91+.
Now for the bad news. If you don't use 91+, there is good evidence to support that you will lose efficiency, making a gas-guzzler engine even worse.
Your choice.
Anyone that speaks against this is simply uneducated on the matter (no disrespect). This is direct from a Lexus master tech with over 25 years of experience, who has literally never even heard of a damage claim from use of 87.
If you want the most power out of your car, use 94. There is evidence (again, from the master tech), that the timing can indeed be advanced (under circumstances) to take advantage of it.
Next would be 93, then 92, then 91, and so on.
But if you're not concerned with POWER, then you don't have to use 91+.
Now for the bad news. If you don't use 91+, there is good evidence to support that you will lose efficiency, making a gas-guzzler engine even worse.
Your choice.
@sunamer did a test of 87 versus 91 a while back with his 350 and found some pretty noticeable differences in timing advance even at low RPM. Timing advance at low RPM = efficiency.
I'm not saying you will grenade your engine by using 87, but I am saying there are reasons besides "the manual says so" to run 91+.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...d-f-sport.html
To say we are uneducated or sheep is missing the bigger picture. If your non-car-enthusiast aunt asked you what fuel to put in her 5-series, would you tell her about timing advance? Would you explain how timing advance has an effect on peak power, throttle response, and gas mileage?
The OP doesn't care about all that timing advance stuff. He just wants to know what gas to put in the car. He never said anything about gas mileage, power, or anything of the sort. Most people should just follow the manual unless they know what they are doing.
Besides, you don't have to make yourself feel better by calling us names. I know good and well the ECU can adjust timing, as do most people on this forum, as they are car enthusiasts. The manual even says something along the lines of "87 can be used if no other fuel is available".
Of course people can put 87 in the car if they want. Is it actually a good idea? No.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Lol, I guess some people just can't resist trying to feel better than the rest. It's not necessary to be so passive aggressive because we gave an opinion you didn't like. We were simply recommending what was best for the engine OVERALL. But as I always say in almost all my posts, to each their own it's not my car you're messing with.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 158
Likes: 12
From: Germany, Hessen
Really? I was told since the whole contract with ESSO and stuff they also get supplied the same gas. In the states, I never got gas on base because I knew they went with the cheapest stuff possible, but I didn't think they did that here. Might just have to load up my Esso card and get gas off base every time then.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
I’m going to start doing that lol. It’s going to be a bigger pain in the ***, but worth it. I used to go out of my way to get Shell in the states because I like their Nitro+ V Power Premium haha.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 370
Likes: 35
From: MO
He was already a master tech at Toyota when I started there in 1996.
I would.
That wasn't quite the point, just that a lot of people don't question, when IMO they should.
"Good idea" is a subjective term, not an objective term. Under certain circumstances it may be a good idea.
I'll take the tech's advice over Toyota's CYA advice with absolutely no merit. Just show me one Lexus car that has had an engine replacement brought on by knocking because of low octane fuel use.
I'm certainly not trying to feel better than anyone. But as my mom used to say, the proof's in the pudding. 0 detonation damage claims should be everyone's clue that what Toyota says is CYA/sales/gas mileage (under certain conditions), nothing more.
Lol, I guess some people just can't resist trying to feel better than the rest. It's not necessary to be so passive aggressive because we gave an opinion you didn't like. We were simply recommending what was best for the engine OVERALL. But as I always say in almost all my posts, to each their own it's not my car you're messing with.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
