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Premium, middle grade or regular? (merged threads)

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Old 08-06-09, 09:53 AM
  #151  
Lexusfreak
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Old 08-06-09, 08:35 PM
  #152  
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Originally Posted by 285exp
I would think that the Lexus owners manual would be the definitive source, and since they say that regular is ok then disregard the other sources. I have a 1997 ES300 that I have owned since new. I have run it on both, and found no measureable difference using premium, so I now use only regular.



You will be wasting your money unless there is a noticeable increase in either power or fuel economy, and there won't be.
to each his own but i've noticed a difference from using premium all the time and just trying 87 for laughs. my car ran horrible with it and pinged crazy. that is why i dont and will probably never use regular gas.
Old 08-06-09, 09:25 PM
  #153  
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^ If your car is pinging on 87, you have engine issues. The owners manual states 87 is fine.
Old 08-07-09, 03:02 AM
  #154  
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I can't notice any difference in performance or idle quality. I have documented about 1 mpg better (.7 -1.2 mpg, not much but something) on 93 over an extended period more then once. Enough to make me think it's not a coincidence. I use 89 regularly though.
Old 08-07-09, 03:31 AM
  #155  
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Originally Posted by Lexusfreak
Why not try running your ES for an entire month on premium.....document your findings & do the same on regular? Let us know.

I run my 05 ES 330 on regular.....Sunoco 87......I do not get any better or worse fuel economy than running Ultra 94......and my engine purrs like a kitten.
+1, an excellent idea, please let us know
Old 10-22-09, 11:57 AM
  #156  
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Originally Posted by ASG14
^ If your car is pinging on 87, you have engine issues. The owners manual states 87 is fine.
My car is pinging regardless of type of gas used. What could be the problem?
Old 10-23-09, 07:53 AM
  #157  
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Originally Posted by CHGO5OH
My car is pinging regardless of type of gas used. What could be the problem?
Try swaping out the plugs. Also, timing could be (but should not be) off.

Maybe do the wires the same times as the plugs.
Old 10-23-09, 11:02 PM
  #158  
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I run 91 in the summer or hot day - need slower burning gas, 87 in winter or cold day - no need to spend the money.

With 91, I got a little better gas mileage (about 1-2MPG more) and more power than 87.

No knock no ping with 87, 89 or 91.
Old 10-24-09, 04:23 AM
  #159  
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i have used all three grades of gas. I never noticed any difference in power or mileage. I use 87 and don't have any issues.
Old 10-24-09, 04:40 AM
  #160  
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Originally Posted by 285exp
I would think that the Lexus owners manual would be the definitive source, and since they say that regular is ok then disregard the other sources. I have a 1997 ES300 that I have owned since new. I have run it on both, and found no measureable difference using premium, so I now use only regula

You will be wasting your money unless there is a noticeable increase in either power or fuel economy, and there won't be.
+1, I'm a firm believer in what the Lexus engineers recommend in the owner's manual
Old 10-28-09, 11:06 AM
  #161  
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Originally Posted by brucelee1
Try swaping out the plugs. Also, timing could be (but should not be) off.

Maybe do the wires the same times as the plugs.
It does need a tune up. Hopefully that will work. Thanks
Old 05-07-10, 09:16 PM
  #162  
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Default Premium, middle grade or regular?

I know this is an age old question, but a search turns up 2 year old threads in this matter, so I thought a bump wouldn't hurt. Premium just hit $3 here, while middle grade's hovering in at $2.93 and regular ten cents cheaper at $2.83. I'm not cheap, and I fully appreciate the rationale that a dollar or two extra can help in the long run, but I'm curious if it's really necessary to put in premium. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the engine in my '01 is the same as was in the Camry, and I'm sure Camry owners were told to use regular, therefore is it sound logic to say I can use regular? I guess I'm looking for two answers here:

- Subjective (Qualitative observations running premium vs. middle vs. regular) = Do you notice a difference in performance, engine noise, clunking, rpm's etc?
- Objective (Quantitative observations) = MPG and actual mechanical info that states a direct requirement for one grade of fuel over the other

Thank you very much for your time
Old 05-07-10, 11:00 PM
  #163  
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I have a 2000 and I use regular, from what I asked people told me I won't see any different between regular and premium.
Old 05-07-10, 11:10 PM
  #164  
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Just hit 3 dollars, man i wish i lived there LOL, but so true, i started of putting in the highest, then went to the middle, i dont really notice a big difference, now going to try regular, see if i notice anything or not, i up to an average of 230+ miles on 1 tank
Old 05-07-10, 11:50 PM
  #165  
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I used to use premium 93 (NON vvt-i) untille prices started to go up, then went to 87. There was around a couple hp difference, but not anything worth putting in premium for. Granted, NOW I have no choice but to use 93, as I have engine work done and need it.


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