Regular Unleaded in a LS430?
jsd
Lexus ES 300, and it takes regular. I want to step up to a LS430, but
just don't know if it "needs" premium.
I work for a limousine company and our fleet is all Lincoln Town Cars.
All we ever put in them is regular, and they work fine.
Does anyone use regular in their LS430.
Just wondering before I buy.
New Owner
the LS430 is now you're getting a high performance engine with advanced
ignition timing and a higher compression ratio.
Penny-wise and pound foolish; stepping over dollars to pick up dimes. If
you cannot afford the small percentage difference in the price of the
gasoline, you sure as hell can't afford the car! There's a difference
between frugality and stupidity.
and yes, you -can- put 87 octane regular in the tank, but I sure wouldn't
and IMO only a schmuck would. The dealer will tell you "only in an
emergency". The newer engines can automatically adjust (retard) the
ignition timing so you won't experience any damage from spark knock, but
engine performace will sure suffer.
In article <210820040300002633%js...@comcast.net> jsd <js...@comcast.net>
writes:
Jerohm
"New Owner" <wdg@[206.180.145.133]> wrote in message
news:1vlei0pgahmnq5o96...@4ax.com...
> The Lincoln Town Cars have always used "regular" unleaded. The issue with
> the LS430 is now you're getting a high performance engine with advanced
> ignition timing and a higher compression ratio.
>
> Penny-wise and pound foolish; stepping over dollars to pick up dimes. If
> you cannot afford the small percentage difference in the price of the
> gasoline, you sure as hell can't afford the car! There's a difference
> between frugality and stupidity.
>
> and yes, you -can- put 87 octane regular in the tank, but I sure wouldn't
> and IMO only a schmuck would. The dealer will tell you "only in an
> emergency". The newer engines can automatically adjust (retard) the
> ignition timing so you won't experience any damage from spark knock, but
> engine performace will sure suffer.
>
This reply is just ... well, I will be kind. If the car does not exhibit
any signs of knocking, you are just fine. MPG may suffer a little.
>
BobT
the gas" .... I agree .... give it what it wants or buy a Camry.
On Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:09:00 GMT, "Jerohm" <jrmohr...@snet.net>
wrote:
Jerohm
"BobT" <ebco@(nospam)prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:lmuei05jccmft77qm...@4ax.com...
> My father once told me ..."The cheapest thing you put in the car is
> the gas" .... I agree .... give it what it wants or buy a Camry.
>
My microwave says don't put any metal inside... it is easier to make blanket
statements than try to explains the details to the masses.
D.D. Palmer
I put in 1 part 87 octane to 1 part 93 octane...and tilt the mix to get
about 91 octane which is what the car requires. I can tell from looking at
any point on the gas gauge how many gallons needed to fill up (this took a
some time and experimentation). I usually fill at half tank where it needs
11 gallons to fil. I'll put in 6 gallons of 93 octane then the balance of 87
octane. It requires two different credit cards at the pump, too, because
most pumps will not work the second time if you use the same credit
card...the pump thinks something is wrong. And if you use cash, you have to
fill, pay, then fill and pay again (so I don't use cash).
One response here said if you can't afford the fine fuel you can't afford
the fine car. My approach is different: It's being value-conscious like this
that allows me to afford the fine car!
"jsd" <js...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:210820040300002633%js...@comcast.net...
Carl
typically, the combatants are unarmed).
The engine will not be damaged by using 87 octane. I drive a 2004 LS430 (my
5th LS400-series car), and it does not mind 87 octane fuel. Maybe I'm a
"schmuck" for using regular, but seeing as it makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE
to the car, the driver, or anyone else on the face of the planet, I figure
I'll use the extra money to get a high grade Starbucks.
A few more points ...
The performance will be reduced by an amount so small, that I defy anyone
under normal driving conditions, without a dynamometer connected to the car,
to tell the difference. My car still kicks most cars butts on the highway,
on the streets, and anywhere else they care to challenge. Believe me, 290
horses, or 285 horses really don't make a hill of beans of difference.
You will save approximate 20 cents per gallon or roughly $400 per year if
you drive around 800 miles per week. If the $8/week makes a difference to
you, then buy the regular. If not, buy the premium. It really really
really really doesn't matter.
Your milage will be slightly less if you use regular, but again, so small a
difference that it would surely be overcome by one or two lead foot
jackrabbit stoplight starts, and the 20 cents/gallon more than makes up for
the small difference.
Unless all you're trying to do is create another endless spout of drivel on
octane this, and horsepower that, your question has a simple answer. The
car does NOT need premium, so do what makes you feel good.
Good night Gracie.
Carl
"jsd" <js...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:210820040300002633%js...@comcast.net...
markjen
> under normal driving conditions, without a dynamometer connected to the
car,
> to tell the difference.
This has been tested (repeatedly). Performance, on average, drops about the
same amount you save (15%). If you can't tell the difference when a car
makes 15% less power, then yes, probably makes sense to burn regular. But
on has to ask: if you're not caring about performance to this degree, why
did you bother paying a lot more for a high performance car in the first
place? You can save a lot more than 15% gas money driving an Avalon.
- Mark
L Cramer
My experience corresponds with yours. Despite several multi-tank tests of
one octane gas versus the other (I guess I've got free time), the difference
in performance wasn't noticeable. And if there is a difference in gas
mileage, it's very small, far less than the 10% price premium for premium
gas.
lz
"Carl" <a...@b.com> wrote in message news:swTVc.18604$9d6.11464@attbi_s54...
Carl
here, we're talking about real world driving experience. I'm simply saying
that under normal (whatever that means) driving conditions, I cannot tell
any difference between the regular and premium fuel. As I stated in my
original e-mail, if you hook up a dynamometer to the car, you probably will
easily measure and can report the difference. So what?
BTW -- I don't only buy LS430's for their performance. Yes, it's a factor,
but there are a LOT more features to the car than just "GO". If I wanted a
"GO" car, I'd buy a Ferrari (which has NO other features other than "GO").
...and the beat goes on ...
Carl
"markjen" <mark.je...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:KNTVc.64505$TI1.41350@attbi_s52...
DTT
in August, then park your car under sun all day and hit the traffic at
5:00 PM.
When they get over 30K, all of my car run a hell better with Premium
gas in the summer.
The testing was done on new car and probably not under the 110F
weather, so they can't tell the difference.
"L Cramer" <lzcr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<10ih2vb...@corp.supernews.com>...
Carl
temperatures (I live in the North East, so we have tough winters, but the
summers are fairly tame). What kinds of differences do you see between
regular and premium when the temp is 110F? Does the car lose power? Stall?
Fail to start? Run rough? I'm curious as to why the octane of the fuel
would make any difference with a variance in (high) temperature...
Carl
"DTT" <dtms...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:697a20b8.04082...@posting.google.com...
Col. Colin Campbell
normal running temp no matter what. It will warm up faster if it is hot
outside, but that is all. I drove my LS430 in very hot weather (100) and
felt no difference between premium and regular. I did measure a small
difference in fuel consumption. On a long drive (East coast to Michigan) I
used premium one way and regular the other. There was a 3% difference -
regular gave worse economy - which is less than the fuel price difference.
This is to expected with ignition retardation. There was also a likely
performance hit, but it was small enough not to be apparent without precise
measurment.
Colin
"Carl" <a...@b.com> wrote in news:IPlWc.297956$a24.66311@attbi_s03:
RJM
warranties will be VOIDED if you don't use the fuel (octane) prescribed
for your car. If you have engine problems that are in any way related
to the fuel system..........you will be on your own. The warranty will
not cover it.
New Owner
Contrary to widespread belief, higher octane ratings are achieved simply
through blending additives, not by better or more highly refining. The
only gasoline coming from the half-dozen or so refiners is 87 octane
regular and is the only "gasoline" being traded on the energy markets.
It's also the only gasoline traversing the nation through a network of
underground interstate pipelines. Octane and performance "blending" occurs
at the distribution hubs, not at the refineries.
In automobiles where "premium" is called for, the manufacturer's
specification is usually 91 octane, not the 92 or 93 octane that the oil
companies are trying to convince us that our vehicles need.
The mid-grade (usually 89 octane), is simply a marketing ploy to ensnare
those drivers who have themselves convinced that "my car runs better on
it". Meanwhile the oil companies are laughing all the way to the bank.
Using any fuel with a higher octane rating than that called for by the
manufacturer is foolish and wasteful. If your car runs poorly on the
"recommended" grade of fuel, then take it to the dealer and get the
problem fixed.
In article <697a20b8.04082...@posting.google.com>
DTT
Last year when one of the AZ pipeline from Texas bursted, we have
shortage of mid-grade and premium unlead. We could only buy regular
gas from CA for almost 2 weeks.
Anyway, there are 3 large fuel tanks at the distribution center. Each
one contains different grade of fuel stock. Each gasoline brand will
mix their own secret detergent package, but the base stocks (comodity)
are all the same.
For the other question, the reason I use Premium is not for gas
mileage. There is no different in gas mileage. The car just run rough,
make more moise upon accelerate with regular gas when the weather get
hot. Even at freeway speed, it can feel it is noisier and rougher.
When i switches to premium... Sweet.
Don't forget that at 110F, the AC generates quite a lot of drag. Also,
the air inlet over the asphalt in traffic must be over 120F. The air
density is thinner. The exhaust is hotter because the inlet
temperature is higher. Go ask the airliner pilot. When the temperature
is hotter, the plane needs longer runway for take off.
Car companies are not stupid to specify Premium fuel if it does not
need it. It's a disadvantage.
Carl
put in the car? You really think they're going to extract some fuel from
the tank and test it to determine? Yeah, they've got nothing better to do
than that.
Carl
"RJM" <w5...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hSsWc.10996$3O3....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
Top Spin
wrote:
>I have a better answer than all of you, but it requires a little more work.
>I put in 1 part 87 octane to 1 part 93 octane...and tilt the mix to get
>about 91 octane which is what the car requires. I can tell from looking at
>any point on the gas gauge how many gallons needed to fill up (this took a
>some time and experimentation). I usually fill at half tank where it needs
>11 gallons to fil. I'll put in 6 gallons of 93 octane then the balance of 87
>octane. It requires two different credit cards at the pump, too, because
>most pumps will not work the second time if you use the same credit
>card...the pump thinks something is wrong. And if you use cash, you have to
>fill, pay, then fill and pay again (so I don't use cash).
>
>One response here said if you can't afford the fine fuel you can't afford
>the fine car. My approach is different: It's being value-conscious like this
>that allows me to afford the fine car!
You are kidding, right?
Let's say premium gas is $0.25 higher than regular. You are saving
$0.125/gallon. On a 20-gallon tank, you are saving $2.50. How long do
you have to do this before you can afford a more expensive car.
You have to be an engineer -- probably software, right?
Hey, do you also mix half diet and half regular soda because your
engine can handle 55 calories but not 110?
My father-in-law used to check the ads in the paper every Saturday
morning and then drive clear across town to save 5 cents on a can of
beans. We used to kid him about the 10 cents of gas he spent to save
the 1, but he was raised in the depression and couldn't do it any
other way.
It's a free country.
--
Owner of a 1999 LS400, purchased certified in 2002
and a 2001 RX 300, purchased certified in 2003
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
markjen
a 265-hp car, go for the regular.
- Mark
New Owner
dtms...@hotmail.com (DTT) writes:
>Hi New owner, you are dead wrong.
About what? There being only one "grade" of gasoline. Nope.
There is only 1 grade of gasoline coming out of the refineries, 87 octane
regular unleaded. Any/everything else is a blend. Also the gasoline
flowing through the big interstate pipelines is 87 octane regular, nothing
else. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I work for one of the major
interstate pipeline companies in Houston, TX.
>Last year when one of the AZ pipeline from Texas bursted, we have
>shortage of mid-grade and premium unlead. We could only buy regular
>gas from CA for almost 2 weeks.
Mid-grade is most commonly a 50:50 blend of premium and regular. Secondly,
the best selling gasoline is regular unleaded, therefore if a pipeline
ruptured somewhere there would be a general shortage and so likely the
preference would be to sell what there was of it in the market with the
highest demand, as regular.
>Anyway, there are 3 large fuel tanks at the distribution center.
And very likely 1 is Regular and 1 is Premium. Most likely the 3rd is
diesel. Mid grade is most commonly a 50:50 blend of regular and premium.
There is no reason to put mid-grade gasoline in storage.
>one contains different grade of fuel stock. Each gasoline brand will
>mix their own secret detergent package, but the base stocks (comodity)
>are all the same.
All the same meaning 87-octane regular unleaded.
D.D. Palmer
"Top Spin" <Topp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:q6fmi010dbkbfe50f...@4ax.com...
Top Spin
wrote:
>I am dead serious.
So how much have you saved so far?
DaViT
Long time ago Exxon and Unocal used to have 93 octane (leaded I
believe). Not any more.
"D.D. Palmer" <ddpa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<adOVc.16305$9d6.3834@attbi_s54>...
Stephen Clark
Premium. And 91 octane Mid-Grade is what the professor is trying to
formulate. Most have the mid grade, also.
BTW, my wife's RX300 runs fine on 87 octane regular.
D.D., you are just trying *too* hard!
--
Stephen Clark
99 Lexus RX300
Houston, Texas USA
"DaViT" <davi...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8102382a.04082...@posting.google.com...
DaViT
In Utah, the regular unlead is 2 point lower I believe, but the premium is 91.
"Stephen Clark" <nos...@spamnot.not> wrote in message news:<10iv0h1...@corp.supernews.com>...
D.D. Palmer
"Top Spin" <Topp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3g6ti0psla769u4qe...@4ax.com...
D.D. Palmer
halfway between 87 and 93...but is not half the octane difference. So, as I
posted, I "create" my own 90-91 octane for a price about halfway between 87
and 93. Yeah, I'm a cheap SOB, but I FEEL better about it!
Rein
>Well..if you want to tell the difference between gas grades, go to AZ
>in August, then park your car under sun all day and hit the traffic at
>5:00 PM.
>
>When they get over 30K, all of my car run a hell better with Premium
>gas in the summer.
>
>The testing was done on new car and probably not under the 110F
>weather, so they can't tell the difference.
I am also curious what exactly you are experiencing. Any car I've had
in AZ ran just fine as long as the cooling system was maintained. A
good flush every other year keeps it healthy. Ignoring it will give
you problems in AZ summers.
Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying
Rein
>Hi New owner, you are dead wrong.
>
>Last year when one of the AZ pipeline from Texas bursted, we have
>shortage of mid-grade and premium unlead. We could only buy regular
>gas from CA for almost 2 weeks.
>
>Anyway, there are 3 large fuel tanks at the distribution center. Each
>one contains different grade of fuel stock. Each gasoline brand will
>mix their own secret detergent package, but the base stocks (comodity)
>are all the same.
>
>For the other question, the reason I use Premium is not for gas
>mileage. There is no different in gas mileage. The car just run rough,
>make more moise upon accelerate with regular gas when the weather get
>hot. Even at freeway speed, it can feel it is noisier and rougher.
>
>When i switches to premium... Sweet.
If your cars manual states it can run on 87 octane and it runs rough,
it simpy means there is something wrong with your engine and needs to
be serviced.
Modern engines have a lot of sensors that can easily foul up and give
bad readings (or break)
Something as simple as a dirty intake temp. sensor can make an engine
run bad.
>
>Don't forget that at 110F, the AC generates quite a lot of drag. Also,
>the air inlet over the asphalt in traffic must be over 120F. The air
>density is thinner. The exhaust is hotter because the inlet
>temperature is higher. Go ask the airliner pilot. When the temperature
>is hotter, the plane needs longer runway for take off.
>
>Car companies are not stupid to specify Premium fuel if it does not
>need it. It's a disadvantage.
Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying
Rein
wrote:
>In article <697a20b8.0408...@posting.google.com>
>dtms...@hotmail.com (DTT) writes:
>
>>Hi New owner, you are dead wrong.
>
>About what? There being only one "grade" of gasoline. Nope.
>There is only 1 grade of gasoline coming out of the refineries, 87 octane
>regular unleaded. Any/everything else is a blend. Also the gasoline
>flowing through the big interstate pipelines is 87 octane regular, nothing
>else. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I work for one of the major
>interstate pipeline companies in Houston, TX.
>
>>Last year when one of the AZ pipeline from Texas bursted, we have
>>shortage of mid-grade and premium unlead. We could only buy regular
>>gas from CA for almost 2 weeks.
>
>Mid-grade is most commonly a 50:50 blend of premium and regular. Secondly,
>the best selling gasoline is regular unleaded, therefore if a pipeline
>ruptured somewhere there would be a general shortage and so likely the
>preference would be to sell what there was of it in the market with the
>highest demand, as regular.
>
>>Anyway, there are 3 large fuel tanks at the distribution center.
>
>And very likely 1 is Regular and 1 is Premium. Most likely the 3rd is
>diesel. Mid grade is most commonly a 50:50 blend of regular and premium.
>There is no reason to put mid-grade gasoline in storage.
No, I think there's one diesel, one regular and one for airplane fuel.
Tensbop
Like, Chevron or Shell.
--
For full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/lexus/regular-unleaded-in-a-ls430-14733-.htm