ES350 Lexus Gasoline Requirement

[Graybeard]

We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.

Anyone know if this is true, or if the Lexus will run on the regular?

I can't believe that the Toyota engineers (marketing) would place a 30
cent-per-gallon cost premium (and 1 mpg less) on the consumer just to get an
additional 4 HP !

Graybeard

[Ray O]

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading
to a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered
that Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional
4 horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs
on regular.
Anyone know if this is true, or if the Lexus will run on the regular?
I can't believe that the Toyota engineers (marketing) would place a 30
cent-per-gallon cost premium (and 1 mpg less) on the consumer just to get
an additional 4 HP !
Graybeard

Check the owner's manual, but I believe that the *recommendation* is for
premium for better performance and fuel economy, while regular will work.
I've found that I actually get slightly poorer fuel economy using regular,
and that the improved fuel economy on premium makes it a wash to use
premium. Of course, your driving style and conditions may give you
different results.

[Graybeard]

Thanks Ray:
I understand that the knock sensor and computer will adjust the timing to
prevent pre-ignition and allow running on lesser octane gasoline.

The interesting thing is that the specifications (Edmund) lists the mpg for
the ES 350 as 1 mpg less than the Avalon, presumably using recommended fuel.

Doesn't it make you wonder about the wisdom making the decision to modify
the Avalon configuration, since the two cars weigh almost the same (actually
less than the Limited) ? I would think that with the 6-speed transmission,
the ES350
would show superior numbers.

Graybeard

Post by Ray O

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading
to a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered
that Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional
4 horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs
on regular.
Anyone know if this is true, or if the Lexus will run on the regular?
I can't believe that the Toyota engineers (marketing) would place a 30
cent-per-gallon cost premium (and 1 mpg less) on the consumer just to get
an additional 4 HP !
Graybeard

Check the owner's manual, but I believe that the *recommendation* is for
premium for better performance and fuel economy, while regular will work.
I've found that I actually get slightly poorer fuel economy using regular,
and that the improved fuel economy on premium makes it a wash to use
premium. Of course, your driving style and conditions may give you
different results.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[Ray O]

Post by Graybeard
I understand that the knock sensor and computer will adjust the timing to
prevent pre-ignition and allow running on lesser octane gasoline.
The interesting thing is that the specifications (Edmund) lists the mpg for
the ES 350 as 1 mpg less than the Avalon, presumably using recommended fuel.
Doesn't it make you wonder about the wisdom making the decision to modify
the Avalon configuration, since the two cars weigh almost the same (actually
less than the Limited) ? I would think that with the 6-speed
transmission, the ES350
would show superior numbers.
Graybeard

You're welcome!

I believe that the recommended fuel for the 2007 Avalon is 91 octane, with
the minimum octane being 87 - inn other words, the same as the ES 350.

I think that Toyota/Lexus would have been better off tuning both cars for
regular instead of premium because of the general perception that premium is
more expensive.

As far as the difference in MPG between the Avalon and ES, the engine and
transmission are not the only things that are factored into the mileage
calculation. I have not checked the engine horsepower, torque, curves,
etc., but the same engine in different cars can have different performance
due to differences in the length of the intake tube, exhaust, etc.
Transmission shift points, gear ratios, tire size, and coefficient of drag
are also figured in, but I agree, I would have thought that the ES 350 would
have better fuel economy.

[Carroll Boardway]

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.
Anyone know if this is true, or if the Lexus will run on the regular?
I can't believe that the Toyota engineers (marketing) would place a 30
cent-per-gallon cost premium (and 1 mpg less) on the consumer just to get an
additional 4 HP !
Graybeard

I had one and ran only regular with no problems through 12000 miles. I
have since upgraded to a GS350.

[kitzler]

Post by Carroll Boardway
I had one and ran only regular with no problems through 12000 miles. I
have since upgraded to a GS350.

My dealer (Towson Lexus, MD) recommended I get off premium on my 2006
GS300, after I complained about my exhaust pipes being so sooty... he
said that should fix it, well it did not fix the soot problem, unless
of course I should have removed the soot and started monitoring the
exhaust pipes anew... but I did notice like Ray O. says a little loss
in power, but definitely better mileage, about 2 mpg which is nothing
to sneer at..... go figure Lexus..... the engine does not ping, of
course the car is so quiet I can hear a bug fly inside...... as far
as the mileage ratings, I agree with Ray O., a different gear ratio to
give the car more pep and go, will definitely eat into the
mileage..... still mileage wise, the bottom line is the driver.......
if you race to a light and slam on the brakes, you will surely get
poor mileage, if you drive texas-style (drive easy) you might make
some younger people behind you impatient, but you will avoid accidents
and police tickets plus and better mileage...

/Nick

[Ice]

I have a 2003 ES300 with 25,000 and have run nothing but regular in it since
I bought it new. In fact the dealer rep recomended regular saying there was
no reason to spend the extra money. I have had no problems and average 20
mpg in mostly stop and go traffic.

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.
Anyone know if this is true, or if the Lexus will run on the regular?
I can't believe that the Toyota engineers (marketing) would place a 30
cent-per-gallon cost premium (and 1 mpg less) on the consumer just to get an
additional 4 HP !
Graybeard

[-]

On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:44:39 -0400, "Graybeard"

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.

The engines aren't the same. The 2000 Avalon is a 3.0L (or is it
3.3L?) while the ES350 has a 3.5L engine. That alone should account
for a big difference in mpg figures. As it is, it's only 1 mpg less.

And that 4HP difference in power is erroneous. The ES350 comes to
almost 270HP while the Avalon probably tops out at 210HP.

[Graybeard]

If you check a comparison at Edmonds, they say the following:

2007 Avalon 2007 ES350

Engine Size 3.5 L 3.5 L
Horsepower 268 @6200 rpm 272 @ 6200 rpm
EPA est City 22 mpg 21 mpg
EPA est Highway 31 mpg 30 mpg
Fuel Type Regular Premium


Graybeard

Post by -
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:44:39 -0400, "Graybeard"

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.

The engines aren't the same. The 2000 Avalon is a 3.0L (or is it
3.3L?) while the ES350 has a 3.5L engine. That alone should account
for a big difference in mpg figures. As it is, it's only 1 mpg less.
And that 4HP difference in power is erroneous. The ES350 comes to
almost 270HP while the Avalon probably tops out at 210HP.

[Carroll Boardway]

Post by Graybeard
2007 Avalon 2007 ES350
Engine Size 3.5 L 3.5 L
EPA est City 22 mpg 21 mpg
EPA est Highway 31 mpg 30 mpg
Fuel Type Regular Premium
Graybeard

Post by -
On Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:44:39 -0400, "Graybeard"

Post by Graybeard
We currently own a 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS, and were planning on upgrading to
a new 2007 Lexus ES350. I did a comparison in Edmunds and discovered that
Toyota has put the same engine in the Avalon and the Lexus, but has
apparently increased the compression in the Lexus to obtain an additional 4
horsepower. Unfortunately, the info says that the ES350 now requires
premium gasoline, while the Avalon (basically the same engine) still runs on
regular.

The engines aren't the same. The 2000 Avalon is a 3.0L (or is it
3.3L?) while the ES350 has a 3.5L engine. That alone should account
for a big difference in mpg figures. As it is, it's only 1 mpg less.
And that 4HP difference in power is erroneous. The ES350 comes to
almost 270HP while the Avalon probably tops out at 210HP.

The engines are both 3.5 liter and have the same 268 hp. Check Edmunds.