Merged premium fuel threads - is higher than 87 Octane needed or useful?
07-18-19 | 07:54 PM
#31
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From: CA
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kalel2127 (07-19-19)
07-19-19 | 03:24 AM
#32
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From: NC
Our ES 300h has always used 87. I have used 87 octane in our 2015 RX450h and currently 2017 which both premium is required. Experimenting with the other two levels, I have noticed zero difference in gas mileage or performance. I have used 87 in cars that have required premium for over a million miles and have not had one problem.
I always revert back to two MIT graduates that are car mechanics who had a syndicated radio show called Car Talk for 35 years.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/premi...egular-0#myth4
From the USA Today:
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.
Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey._______________
We all love our Lexus's. I call it the placebo effect. If it makes you feel better putting 91 octane in your vehicle than go for it. There is no wrong decision just a difference in $$$$$. Someone posted a couple years ago a response about octane levels that 91 octane he swore made his transmission shift smoother.
I always revert back to two MIT graduates that are car mechanics who had a syndicated radio show called Car Talk for 35 years.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/premi...egular-0#myth4
From the USA Today:
The only modern engines that should really need premium are those with superchargers, which force-feed fuel into the cylinders. "You're driving along and just tramp the gas and the knock sensor cannot sense the knock fast enough in some cases," because the supercharger boosts pressure so fast, says Bob Furey, chemist and fuels specialist at General Motors.
Burning regular when the owner's manual specifies premium won't void the warranty, nor damage the engine, even the most finicky automakers say. "You're giving up perhaps just a little bit of performance that a customer wouldn't really even notice, it's so slight," says Furey._______________
We all love our Lexus's. I call it the placebo effect. If it makes you feel better putting 91 octane in your vehicle than go for it. There is no wrong decision just a difference in $$$$$. Someone posted a couple years ago a response about octane levels that 91 octane he swore made his transmission shift smoother.
Last edited by Freds430; 07-19-19 at 03:34 AM.
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kalel2127 (07-19-19)
07-19-19 | 12:54 PM
#34
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FreddyG (07-29-22)
07-19-19 | 02:59 PM
#35
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From: IL
Both the ES350 and the ES300h use Regular 87 Octane fuel.
NO benefit to using Premium in any car not tuned for it.
Ancient history on the subject, back when High Test, Ethyl, Sunoco 260
were the only fuels that had any detergent additives it was possible to
tank up with such fuel in a poor running car and it would "clean out"
the carburetor (look it up!). That and a good 'second gear tune up"
AKA blasting around at full throttle in 2nd gear would clear it up.
NO benefit to using Premium in any car not tuned for it.
Ancient history on the subject, back when High Test, Ethyl, Sunoco 260
were the only fuels that had any detergent additives it was possible to
tank up with such fuel in a poor running car and it would "clean out"
the carburetor (look it up!). That and a good 'second gear tune up"
AKA blasting around at full throttle in 2nd gear would clear it up.
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landonm86 (10-08-22)
02-18-20 | 06:18 PM
#39
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: ca
My 2020 ES350 built in December will run fine on 87 Octane gas and I've not seen anything that says different. I think I did see something that says something about it running better with higher octane fuel. Can you define what you mean by Premium? I do use Top Tier gas when possible.
02-18-20 | 07:04 PM
#40
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Joined: Dec 2019
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From: Ontario
If you are able to source ethanol free fuel where you live this is what I would use. You dont need to use 91 if you dont want to but you might want to occasionally use a fuel system cleaner instead to make up for a lack of cleaning detergents found in lower tier fuels.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
02-18-20 | 07:49 PM
#41
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: TX
If you are able to source ethanol free fuel where you live this is what I would use. You dont need to use 91 if you dont want to but you might want to occasionally use a fuel system cleaner instead to make up for a lack of cleaning detergents found in lower tier fuels.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
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02-18-20 | 09:33 PM
#44
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: n,.
My 2020 ES350 built in December will run fine on 87 Octane gas and I've not seen anything that says different. I think I did see something that says something about it running better with higher octane fuel. Can you define what you mean by Premium? I do use Top Tier gas when possible.
My 2017 has always used Regular octane so I was surprised to see the "Premium" on the web site.
02-18-20 | 09:35 PM
#45
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: n,.
If you are able to source ethanol free fuel where you live this is what I would use. You dont need to use 91 if you dont want to but you might want to occasionally use a fuel system cleaner instead to make up for a lack of cleaning detergents found in lower tier fuels.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
You will note better performance and efficiency using 91 octane but in my opinion it's not worth the premium unless the fuel in question has 0% ethanol. In that case you are using better quality fuel which is invaluable when it comes to being a responsible car owner.
I'm happy to see everyone uses Regular gas.. that's what I want to use.