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Premium vs 87 octane

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Old 03-18-18, 07:36 AM
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Emcat
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Default Premium vs 87 octane

Hello

New member to the the forum. Bought a 2001 IS300 Lexus for our teenage daughter. It's the 6-cylinder model, with a 110K mles on it. Manufacturer specs indicate premium fuel be run in it. Just curious to see what the difference would be running premium versus 87 octane. Will it over time damage the motor?

Thanks
Old 03-21-18, 04:11 AM
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Freds430
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This is probably the most heated debate on these forums. Do whatever makes you comfortable. I use 87 octane in our 2015 RX450h. Experimenting with the other two levels, I have noticed zero difference in gas mileage or performance. I have used 87 in cars that have required premium for over a million miles and have not had one problem.
I always revert back to two MIT graduates that are car mechanics who had a syndicated radio show called Car Talk for 35 years.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/premi...egular-0#myth4

From the USA Today:
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.

Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey.

All this being said to each his own.
Old 03-21-18, 05:06 AM
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Superman60
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Originally Posted by Freds430
This is probably the most heated debate on these forums. Do whatever makes you comfortable. I use 87 octane in our 2015 RX450h. Experimenting with the other two levels, I have noticed zero difference in gas mileage or performance. I have used 87 in cars that have required premium for over a million miles and have not had one problem.
I always revert back to two MIT graduates that are car mechanics who had a syndicated radio show called Car Talk for 35 years.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/premi...egular-0#myth4

From the USA Today:
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.

Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey.

All this being said to each his own.
I totally agree, that being said, I use premium in my GS really only because I can get it in non ethanol. I would say that if it was a significant difference in the octane rating, ie 87 vs 100+ then I would say yes you should use premium. but 87 compared to 93 there really isn't that much difference.

Last edited by Superman60; 03-21-18 at 05:10 AM.
Old 03-22-18, 07:47 AM
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190e30
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There might be a slight drop in mpg with 87. Since in california, difference between premium and 87 is only like 20 cents and not a dollar or so like in parts of midwest., i put premium. With 87, it is better to avoid pressing pedal to the floor also.
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