Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

"Also of note is a strange change for the 2011 ES350, which gets a revised engine mapping setup to run 87 octane fuel, rather than the premium stuff. Engine output is downgraded slightly as well, rom 272-hp and 254 ft-lbs of torque, to 268-hp and 248 ft-lbs of torque. The advertised 0-60 mph time has also risen, from 6.8 seconds to 7.0 seconds, while fuel economy remains constant at 19/27-mpg (city/highway)."


http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...ular-fuel.html

mmarshall

I think most ES buyers will welcome the change to lower-priced fuel (Cadillac has already done it on some models). ES buyers don't typically buy their cars to try and keep up with a Mustang GT or Camaro SS.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Do you think there was some type of revised engine mapping?
I don't.
It's the exact same engine and mapping that's in the Camry and other Toyota that call for 87 octane.There was always talk of 4 more HP and 6 more lbs of torque with premium.
Just the 'for optimum performance and MPGs,91 or higher octane is recommended".

mmarshall

Depends on what you consider "mapping". The engine's computer-management system, of course, has knock-sensors and can retard timing and adjust fuel-mixture to overcome any detonation from lower-octane fuels. Anything more than that, such as revised compression-ratios, hotter/cooler thermostats for coolant-temperature (cooler-running engines resist detonation more), different oxygen-sensors in the exhaust manifod, etc....., as I see it, falls more into the category of enginering/production changes than it does simple mapping.

LexBob2

Another article posted here in a different thread called the change "re-rated" vs. re-mapping.

My guess is re-rated is closer since all of the Toyota applications of the non-DI 3.5 (about 6 models) are rated using regular.

mmarshall

Agreed.....seems like a case of simple semantics or definition.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I agree!

<VENOM>

Never posted in the original thread, but my father's 07 ES350 never required premium/93 it just said, in typical toyota jargon, "for added performance use premium" same thing it said for my 03 V8 4Runner.

My buddies 09 V6 Camry has the same engine as the ES, he runs 93 all the time, he gets 28mpg, it just amazes me cause he drives it hard

LexBob2

I'm sure the premium fuel recommendation was initially a marketing move to show a little horsepower bump for the ES350 vs. Toyota models. Now that the current gen ES350 is over 4 years old and other manufacturers are rating competitive V6's on regular there's not a need any longer.

A good move for the consumer who might have been confused on what grade to use.

LexFather

Yeah I wonder will the next ES finally get DI?