its that thing. when u own a yatch. u dont really care about the fuel bill. . hence when you own a luxury car, if u have to ask which fuel grade to put in, you are not really qualified to buy it...
he he. not to snub anybody, I think I will start putting regular in it. premium is a waste....

 

I just bought a 2008 ES 350

I asked the service dept what grade to use and he said Lexus recommends premium for ALL models.

My manual also says premium.

 

Better follow the rules then

 

Problem with an engine under warranty = they will check the octane of the gas = if not premium, gives the dealer / Lexus an out not to pay fully.

 

I somehow doubt a car dealer has the equipment to check engine gas octane. But fine, just change the gas before going in with a check engine light. Not too hard.

 

Might have to drive a couple of hundred miles before you can refill tank, hopefully the car won't be in trouble and not let you etc

 

Apparently you've never used an octane booster or toluene...

 

Interesting read... People may be driving on regular, thinking they've got premium in the tank...

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CONGRE......-a012055908

 

No I haven't can you explain how that would help once I have a problem and red light on? I would think they'd know wouldn't they?

I guess the other question to ask is has anyone ever had or know anyone who has had a problem where gas was questioned? It may not matter anyway.

 

That's a striking statistic - in some states 50% of gasoline sold as premium is actually regular.

I think there is no way Toyota can void a warranty for lack of premium gasoline usage in light of the fact that premium isn't universally available. This is why almost all cars are programmed to change the timing automatically based on the fuel used. I remember by dad's 1989 Jag XJ6 was programmed to do that, so it's hard to believe that a 2009 Lexus is not.

 

Another interesting piece of data in the link below. Wholesale (bulk) cost of premium is only 3-5% higher than regular. At the pump the difference is 10% or more. Premium gives retailers better profit margin (which is hair thin to begin with). And of course selling regular for premium price is the ultimate profit.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_..._dcu_nus_m.htm

 

Selling regular as premium is tantamount to theft. It would be good to have medieval style punishment to stop this sort of thing. Chop off one of their hands.

 

Is there any advice in these sources about where to go to make sure you are really getting premium? Maybe corporate owned stations instead of mom and pops?

 

In addition to wondering whether I'm actually getting premium or not - I also wonder about whether I'm the only one buying it in town and how long it sits in the tanks at the gas station.... sometimes I wonder if the rough idle issue I have isn't because of stale premium gas. When I get out of warranty I may try switching to mid grade.

 

So if the 2010 and 2011 are exactly the same what was done to the 2011 to make it accept regular gas?
Do I need to do it to my 2010?
Thanks