Slymp

Hello! I recently purchased a 2011 ES 350. The previous owner has always put premium fuel because the owner before her was using premium too. The manufacturer recommends regular (87 octane) fuel. The question is, would switching to regular fuel after so many kms of it being driven on premium affect the vehicle? If not, have you guys noticed any difference between the two fuel types? Thank you.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

No it won't hurt anything. This is a very common question and the simple answer is you can use whatever you can afford. There is a negligible difference in performance between the two fuel types with no major effects on fuel economy. The computer will compensate for the lower octane rating to make sure everything is safe. In addition, Toyotas with the same engine left the factory recommending regular gas. The Lexus ES350 benefited from a few more HP by going to Premium, but it's not required.

chuyrobles

As long as the engine don't knock with lower octane, you’ll be fine.

heidihidin

"As long as" LOL

rfopt

I have a 07 ES350 that i bought March 2019 with around 130K miles and ran only 87 octane in it from roughly 134K miles to its current 216K miles. I haven't been able to detect knock, however, technically that doesn't mean that it hasn't actually pinged from time to time. That being said I think we are ok running 87 in these cars. I wish we could get a definitive answer as to whether or not the 07-11 Camry V6 is tuned identical to the ES or if there are actual differences (meaning can the Camry V6 get 272 HP running premium on the stock ECU programing?)

spaceballs

I use premium because here the premium does not contain any ethanol, so the extra mileage I get from paying a bit more helps to offset the higher cost.

RI-Lex

iTrader: (4)

I also have a '11 previous owner also used premium, I went straight to regular gas, car has 150k miles no issues, runs like a dream.

tolian21

2012 ES350 owner manual recommends 87, its same exact engine, so it means u can use it on 2007 and up.

Wilson2000

My 2011 calls for unleaded, but the owner's manual also says you can run premium fuel for extra horsepower. I've only used premium a couple of times since new, on trips. Even with earlier models that called for premium, I hear you can run regular and knock sensors will tell the ECM to retard the timing if need be. However, this will reduce power and mpg's.

xjokerz

Not this question again. Look, if you can't afford the extra .30 per gallon for premium that is required in luxury cars then stick with an Avalon. If you keep running regular in an engine designed for premium, yes it can make adjustments but if you regularly do that, it could damage the engine over time. Is it really worth it over an extra $4 per fill-up?

Luckily for you the 2011 ES takes regular and not premium, unlike every other ES prior.

Wilson2000

Please explain how running regular in an engine designed for premium will damage the engine over time. If the knock sensors are doing their job, I just don't see the risk.

SW17LS

Lets be real here, a 5ES is not a vehicle worth a ton of money nowadays anyways. They are 10+ years old. And the car IS an Avalon, its exactly the same engine, so that argument that "if you can afford the car" doesn't mean much. They didnt do anything to the engine in 2011 when they dropped the suggestion of premium fuel, they just slightly reduced the horsepower and torque ratings. The Lexus emblem on the grille doesn't magically make the same engine require premium fuel.

You can run regular in ANY ES, and the vast vast majority of people who are buying these cars and driving them now aren't putting premium fuel in a car they paid $8,000 for.

Now, if we were talking about a turbocharged engine or something like that you would have a point, but you can run regular in these cars no problem.

ellocovg

iTrader: (1)

The owner of my company used regular in his $100k Mercedes GLS550 and now in his new X6M without any issues. To me foolish to use regular in a twin turbo’d beast but he never had any issues. The next guy or the guy after him might be screwed but who knows.

I personally use regular most of the time and every 3rd or 4th fill I run it down until the light comes on then fill it with premium. All of my regular fill ups i top the tank off when it gets to a half tank. I also throw in a bottle of Amsoil injector cleaner when I change the oil every 6 months. I can’t tell the difference between regular or premium on the 3.5 anyway between the two grades.

kobefan

Hello everyone,
I own a 2008 Lexus ES 350, and perhaps this has been asked multiple times but must one get premium gas (92) or is 87 sufficient?

What damage occurs if one uses 87? ( I do understand performance will be reduced.)

spaceballs

Hey, heads up, this is a fairly polarizing subject so you'll get a wide range of replies.

For me, the premium gas I put in has no ethanol, so I get 10% more gasoline for %10 more price, seems a fair trade. If that changes I'll probably go to regular.