Fuel discussions/questions - Octane Regular or Premium (merged threads)
#61
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The Lexus 4.6 is tuned different then the Toyota engine. The Lexus engine is tuned to be smoother and quieter then the Toyota engine (requiring premium fuel). I would be more then willing to give up the smoother engine for 9 more HP and being able to use regular fuel! Being able to use the much cheaper fuel is just like getting better mileage. Also, 9 HP is nice bump!
Note - There is NO difference in the amount of energy in the different octanes. There is also NO difference in fuel mileage. The best octane to use in any vehicle is the lowest octane without causing engine knock. Once you have eliminated knock any more octane is just a waste of money. The only difference octane makes is its ability to prevent engine knock. Anything over the OEM recommended octane does NOTHING! What makes a real difference in fuel is how well it keeps your system clean. Use top tier fuel!
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Koz
Note - There is NO difference in the amount of energy in the different octanes. There is also NO difference in fuel mileage. The best octane to use in any vehicle is the lowest octane without causing engine knock. Once you have eliminated knock any more octane is just a waste of money. The only difference octane makes is its ability to prevent engine knock. Anything over the OEM recommended octane does NOTHING! What makes a real difference in fuel is how well it keeps your system clean. Use top tier fuel!
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Koz
I checked the web site you provided for Top Tier Fuels and it seems most the major brands are represented ... except Valero, which is the cheapest in our area. Your advice is to buy gas only from stations on the Top Tier list, right? Would there be any indication on the pump or is the brand all you need to shop for?
Regards,
SaniDel
#62
Driver School Candidate
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The Lexus 4.6 is tuned different then the Toyota engine. The Lexus engine is tuned to be smoother and quieter then the Toyota engine (requiring premium fuel). I would be more then willing to give up the smoother engine for 9 more HP and being able to use regular fuel! Being able to use the much cheaper fuel is just like getting better mileage. Also, 9 HP is nice bump!
Note - There is NO difference in the amount of energy in the different octanes. There is also NO difference in fuel mileage. The best octane to use in any vehicle is the lowest octane without causing engine knock. Once you have eliminated knock any more octane is just a waste of money. The only difference octane makes is its ability to prevent engine knock. Anything over the OEM recommended octane does NOTHING! What makes a real difference in fuel is how well it keeps your system clean. Use top tier fuel!
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Koz
Note - There is NO difference in the amount of energy in the different octanes. There is also NO difference in fuel mileage. The best octane to use in any vehicle is the lowest octane without causing engine knock. Once you have eliminated knock any more octane is just a waste of money. The only difference octane makes is its ability to prevent engine knock. Anything over the OEM recommended octane does NOTHING! What makes a real difference in fuel is how well it keeps your system clean. Use top tier fuel!
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Koz
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Rygar470 (07-01-20)
#63
Driver School Candidate
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My bought-new 2005 RX330's recommended fuel was mid-level (often called "Plus") but the manual said regular was OK if the owner prefers. I ran regular for the last 3 or 4 years I owned that vehicle and never had any problems nor did gas mileage decrease. It had nearly 85,000 miles on it at trade-in and was running great. My new 2013 RX350 calls for regular, period.
#65
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Koz:
I checked the web site you provided for Top Tier Fuels and it seems most the major brands are represented ... except Valero, which is the cheapest in our area. Your advice is to buy gas only from stations on the Top Tier list, right? Would there be any indication on the pump or is the brand all you need to shop for?
Regards,
SaniDel
I checked the web site you provided for Top Tier Fuels and it seems most the major brands are represented ... except Valero, which is the cheapest in our area. Your advice is to buy gas only from stations on the Top Tier list, right? Would there be any indication on the pump or is the brand all you need to shop for?
Regards,
SaniDel
Recommendation - Stay away from vehicles/engines that have (only) direct injection. The fuel is injected directly into the cylinder and does not flow through the intake system, which would be cleaned by the special additives in the fuel. No manufacture has designed a system (direct injection) that will stay clean enough without periodic cleaning. This periodic cleaning can get VERY involved (and expensive).
Koz
Last edited by Koz; 08-17-12 at 05:14 AM.
#66
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Koz
#67
Pit Crew
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Have only owned my GX for three weeks. I have a tad less than 1100 miles on it. Today I messed up and put about 1/2 tank full of Plus grade fuel in it. This was 89 octane. The half a tank that was in there was 93 octane. I know it retards the timing. My question is once I get this out of the tank and refill with 93 octane will the timing return to normal? I will only be driving around home until I get the gas out of it - not over mountains or anything, of course all of WV is hilly - that is why we are called the Mountain State. Will not be towing or anything like that. I hope I did not screw up too badly!
#68
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Have only owned my GX for three weeks. I have a tad less than 1100 miles on it. Today I messed up and put about 1/2 tank full of Plus grade fuel in it. This was 89 octane. The half a tank that was in there was 93 octane. I know it retards the timing. My question is once I get this out of the tank and refill with 93 octane will the timing return to normal? I will only be driving around home until I get the gas out of it - not over mountains or anything, of course all of WV is hilly - that is why we are called the Mountain State. Will not be towing or anything like that. I hope I did not screw up too badly!
Last edited by Craig B; 01-08-14 at 03:50 PM.
#69
Pit Crew
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That's a load off my mind. I went to a station and their pumps were messed up - brand new install of pumps and tanks. Used to be another brand- now Shell. Anyway you had to pre-pay cash or debit inside as the pumps would not scan. I went in and she ran my debit card. When I went back out I hit premium which was 3.499 and pumped my $40.00 worth. When I got my receipt and went to put the numbers into my GasCubby app on my phone it said 3.399 so I went in and questioned it. The lady said "Oh, we have not gotten the premium in the new tanks yet so it just gives you plus on both buttons! " I was majorly ticked off but what could I do - the gas was already in the tank. I told her I was going to call corporate but she just went back to her peanuts and National Enquirer. I am going to contact Shell but it will do no good. Thanks for letting me know I did no serious damage.
#70
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That's a load off my mind. I went to a station and their pumps were messed up - brand new install of pumps and tanks. Used to be another brand- now Shell. Anyway you had to pre-pay cash or debit inside as the pumps would not scan. I went in and she ran my debit card. When I went back out I hit premium which was 3.499 and pumped my $40.00 worth. When I got my receipt and went to put the numbers into my GasCubby app on my phone it said 3.399 so I went in and questioned it. The lady said "Oh, we have not gotten the premium in the new tanks yet so it just gives you plus on both buttons! " I was majorly ticked off but what could I do - the gas was already in the tank. I told her I was going to call corporate but she just went back to her peanuts and National Enquirer. I am going to contact Shell but it will do no good. Thanks for letting me know I did no serious damage.
#71
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You can run regular in it (87) with no issue. The computer will compensate for the lower octane. My company has had LS460's since 2003, 2 cars with 3 year leases with 25k a year, never once had an issue with running 87 octane in them. So 6 of them and no issues, I'd say you're safe.
#72
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Not to beat a dead horse (since, as others said, you are absolutely fine and would be even with 87), but on a side note...
If you had about half-a-tank with 93 and filled up with 89, the average (so to speak) octane in your tank is 91 at the moment, and Lexus' premium gas recommendation is actually 91, not 93, so you are better than fine. Enjoy your new GX; I hear it's fun to drive on the mountains
If you had about half-a-tank with 93 and filled up with 89, the average (so to speak) octane in your tank is 91 at the moment, and Lexus' premium gas recommendation is actually 91, not 93, so you are better than fine. Enjoy your new GX; I hear it's fun to drive on the mountains
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#73
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Have only owned my GX for three weeks. I have a tad less than 1100 miles on it. Today I messed up and put about 1/2 tank full of Plus grade fuel in it. This was 89 octane. The half a tank that was in there was 93 octane. I know it retards the timing. My question is once I get this out of the tank and refill with 93 octane will the timing return to normal? I will only be driving around home until I get the gas out of it - not over mountains or anything, of course all of WV is hilly - that is why we are called the Mountain State. Will not be towing or anything like that. I hope I did not screw up too badly!
![EEK!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/eek1.gif)
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
Seriously though, you're fine.It will be burnt through in no time and you will not even notice it.
You do understand though, this will go on your "Permanent Record!"
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Randy B
#74
Pit Crew
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I know all about "It goes on your permanent record!" I was a teacher and coach for 35 years. That was the ultimate threat. Not to worry though, we have no tall buildings in WV! The town where I taught just got it's second stop light a few years ago.
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#75
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I've run lower grade fuel than recommended in my cars sometimes and the only thing I ever noticed was a slight decrease in pep during acceleration and sometimes reduced fuel economy. The car's computer will adjust accordingly and things always went back to normal after the next full tank of 91 or 93 octane.