JoeMama69

The gas tank says use super unleaded HOWEVER if you do research many people say using regular unleaded will not damage the car.

Do any of you have any reports or websites that says you do not need to use super unleaded on 2001 GS430?

TexasGS

Use premium fuel. Some folks with 2001 and later GS's get check engine light by using lower octane fuel. The CEL can be reset but if the car does not burn the fuel properly, the engine could "knock" and this MAY cause a CEL. The GS is a premium car so why not treat is with premium fuel.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

If you can afford to buy a Lexus, you should be able to afford that extra few bucks at the gas station.


Saving a few bucks in the long run may not be worth it if something happens to your car. My old car was an 1992 Acura legend. It called for 91 octane, but even thought it will still run on 87 octane, why not just get 91 for the insurance?

JoeMama69

If superunleaded costs 10% more and you spend $4000 a year in gas, that's $400 extra a year for super. Over 8 years that's $3200. Not insignificant.

If super unleaded only gives better performance and does not cause any increase in services costs then I would prefer not to use super.

That's why I am trying to find out the truth about using super unleaded.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

So at $4,000 a year in gas at $3 a gallon that's about 1333 gallons per year. If you get an average of 19 mpg that's over 25,000 miles per year, you must drive quite a bit.

Joe, did you try the search feature to research your question on our forum? This topic has been discussed ad nauseum and you can get an answer to your question without even posting the topic, no waiting!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sea...earchid=373836
"Premium regular fuel" as keywords.... one example thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...m+regular+fuel

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sea...earchid=373839
"need premium gas" as keywords.... example threads
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=premium+gas

among many others... this is just the GS forum, other models have had the same types of discussions.

JoeMama69

Nice calculations. You are right on. I live in California, yep it was a high of $3.25 and we drive 80 miles round trip to work.

Thanks for the links. I should have searched.

I love the GS430, the acceleration is aweseom!!!

redbaron

iTrader: (2)

or at least mid grade gas.

regular unleaded has come down to $2.19 per gallon here in Seattle.
b

Mr GS400

I usually alternate fill ups (premimum one time than regular the next) on my 99 GS400. I fill up using this method when the tank reaches 1/4 full. It saves me a few bucks and doesn't seem to 'offend' the motor.

Hope this helps some!

4GRAINR

i second it.

DaveGS4 - thanks for posting the links! There was some good information found there.

LEXUS_KID

iTrader: (4)

Abear

iTrader: (1)

Im with the, If you can afford a Lexus you can afford the fuel. During the Hurricanes(Rita and Katrina) fuel here in Houston was as high as 3.50 a gallon if I recall correctly. I never worried, I knew it would be back down and today I filled up for 2.27 for 93 octane. During the "gas shortage" my parents put in regular and urged me too, but I told them I wouldnt do that to my car(even though I know it wouldnt kill it). My car is 10 years old(96') and runs freakin strong. Engine knock can be expensive, so be careful.

nicola

I let my younger brother borrow my GS400 sometimes, and I can tell when he puts low octane gas in it and when he uses 93. I get knock at part throttle (very faint, but I have an ear for it) and the car is just very sluggish with low octane gas. Just some input...

FunGuy

According to MSN, if you put a different octane other than what is designated by the on board computer, it will not burn the fuel efficiently leading to potential knocking sensor problems. Trust me, you dont want to mess with Lexus sensors, they are rediculously expensive to replace. saving a dollar at the pump is not worth it.

merlin70

I filled up once with what I think was probably regular. I think the station messed up, I used the premium pump but my car was knocking on every hill on that tank of fuel so I think they put regular in the premium tank. I always use premium and usually never have knocking.

My feeling is that regular would cause some knocking even with the knock sensor trying to do its job. This is not good for your engine over a long period of time. Personally, I don't like taking chances with my $5,000+ engine.

sockfocks

iTrader: (1)

Not only will the chance of knock increase, but your MILEAGE will suffer because of the retarded timing from the ECU. Using premium (91) octane allows the engine to operate at peak effiency.