07LexusGuy

There is some truth to the feeling that using Premium gives you a bit more power than Regular.

There's been a previous post on this and someone actually went out and did a dyno test using both Regular and Premium on a 2012 RX350 to compare the output.

See it here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-2012-a-5.html

RX330inFL

If someone is looking for special fuels the best places to look are near marinas, regional airports and local racetracks. Another place would be to check online at pure-gas.org to see what is listed for your area and the options for those stations.

From what I understand the current NASCAR fuel is the Sunoco Green E15 (15% ethanol) rated at 98 octane -- though I am unsure if that is RON or MON. So dctex99, if anyone you know is running 110 octane I would be curious to know who it is.

I also believe that Grand Am (another Bill France production) is still using Sunoco 260 GTX which is also 98 octane, but does not contain ethanol that I am aware. Would rather have some of this stuff.

And, that 110 octane you mentioned wouldn't be leaded fuel by chance? If not, with or without ethanol? Had seen more 110 leaded than 110 unleaded ethanol-free last time I was serious about looking around. Am happy with my current source and its selection of specialty fuels so have not looked around in some time now.

I keep various drums in the barn with high octane leaded, unleaded, or otherwise ethanol-free fuels for use in the farm equipment and the trailer queens. The tractor, for example, can run on unleaded, but I would be loathe to run anything with ethanol through it. In addition, I keep a small amount of 109 RON (clear in color) for special occasions. The place I use is frequented by a number of blue antique licence plate vehicles getting gas. Wouldn't waste any of the special stuff in my RX though.

m1964

For my '12 a regular fuel is recommnded, but I use 89 octane all the times-I feel less vibration through the steering wheel when accelerating, and I feel the RX has a little more "life" in it. I almost never use Citco/Lukoil, etc. off-brands.
Using 89 in my RX does not make it a race vehicle, but I like the feel when it accelerates w/o vibration I felt when using 87 octane. I did use premium fuel when took it for a longer highway travel-it helped to accelerate better at higher speeds.

Browninggo

I have the F-Sport and have been using the Premium High Grade fuel. Wondering what other members are using? MID? Or just regular Unleaded?

ggebhardt

I am using Silver (mid-grade) BP on my first tank full. The dealer filled it up for delievery and I am betting it is 87 regular. Will likely go back to regular unleaded.

Long ago when it was only 10 cents different from one grade to another, I thought it was worth it. Now it is as much as 30-40 cents higher to move up a grade and I do not think you are saving any money with the few extra MPG it would yield. Sure the premium will give more power and more MPG but it is not worth the extra cost.

The RX350 will run off of any of the grades of gas. What scares me is they are going to be pushing 15% alcohol and we will have to pay even more to use 10%.

RickC5

I put 85 octane regular (only available at high altitudes) in our 2010 RX and also in our 2008 ES350 and both run fine.

Tom558

Regular for us.

The requirement of regular vs premium gas was one of our criteria when making our SUV purchase.

jfelbab

Way too early to draw any concrete conclusions for my RX but after 12 fill-ups this is what my RX look like. I've not yet tried 91 or 93 octane fuels.



The car performs well on 87 octane and the price differential for me is 10 cents extra for 89 octane and 40 cents for Premium (91 pr 93 octane). I doubt that there is any way that premium will ever be more economical to burn at this price differential.

If the trend holds and I can get 89 octane for a 10 cent premium it might be a close comparison as to the cost per mile between 87 and 89 octane.

pheonix72

iTrader: (6)

We fill our RX350 with 87 and have no plan to use anything else. Gasoline is very expensive here in the People Republic of California.

ggebhardt

I agree 100% on there be no way the premium would pay for itself.

I might just keep going with the midgrade, we will see!

I am liking my RX F-Sport so much the LX has not been out of the garage lately!

Browninggo

That's a nifty graph. Looks like a couple MPGs increase. Wonder where it will be with Premium. Keep us informed. Thanks everyone for posting. For now I'm sticking with Premium...right around $3.50/3.60 gallon around my area.

ggebhardt

Enjoy your new F-Sport, I love how mine handles. Feels more like a sportscar than crossover.

Browninggo

@ggebhardt. It's the wife's main ride ... But she lets me drive when we go out. She loved the looks of the '14 F Sport so we traded in the 09'...since I liked it also I said lets do it!. It is fun to drive. Handles great. My ride is a 2000 Toyota Avalon. But the next ride for me is going to be a IS350 F Sport but not for a couple years.

ggebhardt

Enjoy.

Hope it warms up for you people. Have relatives in Wisconsin who say 24 below a few nights back. It got down to 29 here and is "killing us"!

jfelbab

That is a screen from an Apple Numbers spreadsheet I pulled together. Any Apple Numbers users want a copy of the template just PM your email address to me and I'll send it to you. Here are some other screens.

So ok, I probably am **** retentive about tracking this stuff but I enjoy it.

MPG Graph


% Hwy vs. MPG Graph


Data Screen


Maintenance Data Screen