Fuel question- one last time!!!
IMO, "engine damage may occur by using less than 91 octane gas" is hyperbole. let's not forget that there are a multitude of computers controlling spark/advance. those computers simply retard the engine timing if the sensors
determine that the engine is susceptible to engine knock (detonation).
determine that the engine is susceptible to engine knock (detonation).

YMMV,
MidCow3
Let's do some simple math.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.
I'm amused when it's stated that some people here are 'adamant' about using the recommended premium yet when others post endlessly saying not to that would seem to be kinda like 'adamant' too. In fact I'd say it's better described as different people having different perspectives and values, then expressing themselves accordingly. Which naturally should be expected on auto forums.
Seems a lot of NX owners feel that their car is something extra special special and has feelings and those feelings will be hurt if they don't spend extra money of gas, even when not "required". Other of us look at our car as daily transportation, don't give a crap about an imagined extra half a mile per gallon more, and agree with midcow3 that the engine will adapt to what we put in it.
I'm amused when it's stated that some people here are 'adamant' about using the recommended premium yet when others post endlessly saying not to that would seem to be kinda like 'adamant' too. In fact I'd say it's better described as different people having different perspectives and values, then expressing themselves accordingly. Which naturally should be expected on auto forums.
Hey, I'm just playing devil's advocate here. I really don't care if you use regular or premium. As I said before, "if" there is any sluggish or bad performance or engine issues just don't blame the manufacturer. Most ppl would be fine with regular. This is the same argument of doing oil changes every 6 months or 1 year. This conversation will never end as everybody has their own opinion. Some ppl want to drive the car forever and some only drive it for 3-4 years. Why should they do an oil change that frequent and not just follow the manufacturer timelines.
Again, there is nothing wrong using regular. Go ahead and use it. But don't stop others from using premium. Maybe they don't care of the extra cost and just feel better using premium.
What Lexus has in the manual is well thought out.
Regular can be used, but "may" cause issues and "may" void warranty.
Premium is recommended for optimal performance.
Last edited by lsft; Sep 26, 2024 at 09:39 PM.
After reading and joining these endless discussions about gasoline, oil changes, tire pressure, oil types, etc., I’ve realized I don’t have a position on any of these issues. For me, I opt to follow what the manufacturer of the car says they recommend for all these things. The reason I do is because I conclude since they’ve been doing this a very long time and their brand is at the top of the heap among luxury brands in so many ways, they must know things I don’t. I know my limitations. So my view is I would rather listen to the recommendations of Lexus (after all I bought the car because of all the evidence saying they know what they’re doing) than self declared arm chair ‘experts’ who assert their mechanical prowess and all related matters more that Lexus.
After reading and joining these endless discussions about gasoline, oil changes, tire pressure, oil types, etc., I’ve realized I don’t have a position on any of these issues. For me, I opt to follow what the manufacturer of the car says they recommend for all these things. The reason I do is because I conclude since they’ve been doing this a very long time and their brand is at the top of the heap among luxury brands in so many ways, they must know things I don’t. I know my limitations. So my view is I would rather listen to the recommendations of Lexus (after all I bought the car because of all the evidence saying they know what they’re doing) than self declared arm chair ‘experts’ who assert their mechanical prowess and all related matters more that Lexus.
After reading and joining these endless discussions about gasoline, oil changes, tire pressure, oil types, etc., I’ve realized I don’t have a position on any of these issues. For me, I opt to follow what the manufacturer of the car says they recommend for all these things. The reason I do is because I conclude since they’ve been doing this a very long time and their brand is at the top of the heap among luxury brands in so many ways, they must know things I don’t. I know my limitations. So my view is I would rather listen to the recommendations of Lexus (after all I bought the car because of all the evidence saying they know what they’re doing) than self declared arm chair ‘experts’ who assert their mechanical prowess and all related matters more that Lexus.
Let's do some simple math.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.
Let's do some simple math.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.
NX350h fuel tank is 55L (14.5 gal)
Estimate that Premium fuel is 30 cents (based on 1L of fuel) more than regular. (Worst case from what I google here in Toronto, Canada)
$0.30 x 55L = $16.50 more per tank.
Assume one refuels every other week, so 26 times a year. (If you do refuel twice a week in a hybrid, you'd be driving over 30,000 km/year)
$16.50 x 26 = $429/year (pretty worst case scenario)
Is $429/year more in fuel cost worth the peace of mind? You decide.
If you don't refuel every other week or price difference between regular and premium is less than 30 cents, it will be even less than $429 a year.










