Dumb mistake....fuel
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Dumb mistake....fuel
First time poster here. I've owned my 2019 LC500 for about 6 months and went to fill up this evening only to realize after completely filling the car that I put in 88 octane non-ethanol fuel. I immediately remembered that the car needs a minimum octane of 91, and now I'm worried that the car might (even if unlikely) get some sort of damage.
My question is this - should I....
a) drive it carefully and refill with 93 octane as soon as possible (3/4 tank, then again and again and again)?
b) somehow figure out how to drain the fuel from the car (remove fuel pump, siphon, etc.)
c) buy a high quality (is there one?) octane booster that would add 3 levels (30 points) of octane and hope it doesn't have any adverse effects on plugs, etc.
d) anything else?
Thanks all
My question is this - should I....
a) drive it carefully and refill with 93 octane as soon as possible (3/4 tank, then again and again and again)?
b) somehow figure out how to drain the fuel from the car (remove fuel pump, siphon, etc.)
c) buy a high quality (is there one?) octane booster that would add 3 levels (30 points) of octane and hope it doesn't have any adverse effects on plugs, etc.
d) anything else?
Thanks all
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 31,944
Likes: 2,737
From: North Carolina
You will be just fine running it out, the ECU will adapt. You might get slightly less power and mpg. Id personally avoid going full throttle a lot out of an abundance of caution but you should see no damage.
At half tank I’d top off with premium and not worry about it after that.
At half tank I’d top off with premium and not worry about it after that.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 327
From: Denver CO
You'll be fine either way, but if I were you I'd head to any auto store and get a bottle of octane booster. The car will detune itself to reduce knocking, but octane booster isn't that expensive so why have the car detune itself just to change timing again when you're back on premium.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 417
Likes: 115
From: FL
You'll be fine either way, but if I were you I'd head to any auto store and get a bottle of octane booster. The car will detune itself to reduce knocking, but octane booster isn't that expensive so why have the car detune itself just to change timing again when you're back on premium.
Last edited by NiceCars; Mar 17, 2024 at 07:58 AM.
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Driver
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 85
Likes: 45
From: Ca
Not going to hurt your car. Just drive easily. ECU will retard the spark if it detects pinging and you’ll lose a bit of power, but you’ll probably not notice. I’d stay away from additives; some are suspected to foul cat’s and O2 sensors. No harm, no foul. Now…go say three “Hail Lexus”, beat yourself with a birch branch and have a pint for St. Pat’s Day. BTW - using a lower octane fuel may be a slightly bigger issue with a blown engine (S/C or Turbo), but even then it can be worked through by being gentle with the go-peddle and topping off with higher octane as soon as practical.
Last edited by StuM; Mar 17, 2024 at 08:39 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 417
Likes: 115
From: FL
^^^^Did you not see my increase in KCLV
The results are indeed real, at least that's my experience with the Lucas product
I believe the orange coating you mention occurs when the user doesn't follow instructions and puts in too much of the product.
As far as manufacturers having a prohibition against the use of octane boosters, I know of no such case
https://driving.ca/features/maintena...ctane-boosters
The results are indeed real, at least that's my experience with the Lucas product I believe the orange coating you mention occurs when the user doesn't follow instructions and puts in too much of the product.As far as manufacturers having a prohibition against the use of octane boosters, I know of no such case
https://driving.ca/features/maintena...ctane-boosters
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 417
Likes: 115
From: FL
^^^^Did you not see my increase in KCLV The results are indeed real, at least that's my experience with the Lucas product I believe the orange coating you mention occurs when the user doesn't follow instructions and puts in too much of the product.
As far as manufacturers having a prohibition against the use of octane boosters, I know of no such case
https://driving.ca/features/maintena...ctane-boosters
The results are indeed real, at least that's my experience with the Lucas product I believe the orange coating you mention occurs when the user doesn't follow instructions and puts in too much of the product.As far as manufacturers having a prohibition against the use of octane boosters, I know of no such case
https://driving.ca/features/maintena...ctane-boosters
Try sending Lucas an email and ask if using their octane booster may affect a new vehicle's warranty and see what they say...my guess it will be something like what I advised you as I've already done so with another well respected brand. Read your vehicles warranty and you'll see if there's any verbiage re fuel additives, it is a common disclaimer. Yours is an '18 so it's kind of a moot point to begin with but something to keep in mind for your next/other vehicles still under warranty. There was a somewhat recent law where vehicle manufactures cannot just void your warranty for using additives but if they show it did cause an issue like premature wear, corrosive coatings, dilution issues, etc. etc. they can. Most do not advocate their usage.
Last edited by NiceCars; Mar 18, 2024 at 12:50 PM.
