View Poll Results: What kind of gas are you using these days?
Premium
93
51.96%
Regular
86
48.04%
Voters: 179. You may not vote on this poll
What kind of gas? Premium or regular? (merged GX gas threads)
09-12-05, 07:06 PM
#77
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I think this is one of the most heated discussed topics on any luxery car forum. Most people (myself included) have posted this question in the past. Most people are asking what others are doing. I can read a manual but some are just curious what other use. No need to to get upset or as I have seen in the past call someone cheap or that they should sell there luxery car and get a honda civic or something. Just my 2 cents.
09-12-05, 07:25 PM
#78
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Originally Posted by jtbmoore
I think this is one of the most heated discussed topics on any luxery car forum. Most people (myself included) have posted this question in the past. Most people are asking what others are doing. I can read a manual but some are just curious what other use. No need to to get upset or as I have seen in the past call someone cheap or that they should sell there luxery car and get a honda civic or something. Just my 2 cents.
besides, it's the person's discretion on what he/she wants to put. 
09-16-05, 01:25 PM
#80
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Premium gives better MPG
My commute is 90% highway traffic, 10% city in a 2003 GX. I featherfoot the GX and notice 1MPG better with Premium over the lowest grade of fuel (I use Shell and Chevron only, these are very high quality fuels). I've noticed this every time I use premium over the past year (which turned out to be more than 20 tank-fills). However, the MPG gain of using premium is not worth the extra cost (from a strictly Miles Per Dollar standpoint). One could argue that premium fuel is cleaner or better for your engine in other ways, but for the price alone is does not make good economic sense to use it if you want to maximize mileage per dollar spent. I don't get as many miles out of Premium for the dollar as I do using middle grade or the lowest grade of gas. That said, I still use middle grade or premium all the time for my GX.
09-16-05, 08:11 PM
#81
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We've always used 87 and the performance has been fine. We avg. 15+ mpg in city driving and 20+ on the highway. We couldn't be happier, especially compared to the 11 mpg were were getting in our '97 Expedition.
09-16-05, 09:26 PM
#83
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Originally Posted by xenon240
Regular is recommended for 2003-2004 model and for 2005-2006 with revised engine (vvt-i)requires Premium!
09-16-05, 10:40 PM
#84
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NO, premium is NOT required on the newer models.
From the manual:
Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.
87 is what is sold as Regular Unleaded (except at higher elevations).
From the manual:
Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.
87 is what is sold as Regular Unleaded (except at higher elevations).
11-08-05, 03:51 PM
#85
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Octane level used in GX470
Hello, I would like to query GX470 owners to determine what level octane you are using in your car. The manual states that 91 is the preferred octane level, but you can use 87 if necessary. I know of a few people who use 87, but the manual leads you to believe that the manufacturer prefers 91. What are you using? Do you see a performance difference between both octane levels? Will I be causing potential damage to my car if I use 87? Our dealer stated that you can use 87 in the GX470. Thanks for the opinions!!
11-08-05, 04:40 PM
#86
Originally Posted by robert55
Hello, I would like to query GX470 owners to determine what level octane you are using in your car. The manual states that 91 is the preferred octane level, but you can use 87 if necessary. I know of a few people who use 87, but the manual leads you to believe that the manufacturer prefers 91. What are you using? Do you see a performance difference between both octane levels? Will I be causing potential damage to my car if I use 87? Our dealer stated that you can use 87 in the GX470. Thanks for the opinions!!
You will not cause any damage by using 87. The GX is designed to run on 87. Using a higher octane will result in better performance (in the case of the GX, not as a general rule). The PCM (powertrain control module) on the GX will retard/advance spark timing as you go with lower/higher octane to maximize power while avoiding knocking/pinging.
Many people have reported better fuel economy with 87. I used 93 for the first year and finally switched to 87 a few months ago. The truck was just as smooth and felt just as powerful. I never computed fuel economy, though. Interestingly, I pumped about 17 gallons of 93 yesterday, and it does feel a bit more powerful again, though not enough for me to shell out more $$$ every time for 93. I may only do it every few months.
Do a search on this topic. There are many threads and even a poll or two on this issue.
