New User - '00 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[MDlexus]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, but my parents have owned this 2000 LX470 since new. It currently sits at 206k on the odometer.

It's definitely seen better days, and 11-16 MPG around the DC suburbs gets expensive on premium fuel. As it sits, it is completely stock. If we decide to go the route of fixing it up, I already know this forum will be priceless. Thanks!

 

[excessive]

welcome! and you're lucky to be gifted such an iconic vehicle. When i was 16 my parents gifted me their old minivan. I was not ungrateful

 

[SteveH]

IMO, you can skip the premium fuel and save .60-.80/gallon. This engine is not supercharged or turbocharged, and will get along fine without premium, in spite of what the fuel door label says.

 

[Chrisek]

Right on and welcome!

 

[MDlexus]

IMO, you can skip the premium fuel and save .60-.80/gallon. This engine is not supercharged or turbocharged, and will get along fine without premium, in spite of what the fuel door label says.

Yeah it's more like a dollar difference here This truck has only had 93 it's entire life (options are 87, 89, or 93 from our local gas stations). Lexus says use premium gas, so my parents do. Now, a premium only requirement probably wasn't so big of a deal in 2000, but $5.15 a gallon for 20-22 gallons is a lot.

Some have said Lexus wants 91 because it produces the full 230hp, others have said it's only EPA tested on 91, but others say 87 is fine all day. On a newer, 'lazy' NA V8 I'd have no doubt the ECU could adjust timing all day for 87 or 93 regardless of what octane the manufacturer wants. I'm worried that the LX470 ECU is tuned to only accept premium, and while 87 will work I'm not sure how it really is in the long run.

 

[FamilyCamper]

Yeah it's more like a dollar difference here This truck has only had 93 it's entire life (options are 87, 89, or 93 from our local gas stations). Lexus says use premium gas, so my parents do. Now, a premium only requirement probably wasn't so big of a deal in 2000, but $5.15 a gallon for 20-22 gallons is a lot.

Some have said Lexus wants 91 because it produces the full 230hp, others have said it's only EPA tested on 91, but others say 87 is fine all day. On a newer, 'lazy' NA V8 I'd have no doubt the ECU could adjust timing all day for 87 or 93 regardless of what octane the manufacturer wants. I'm worried that the LX470 ECU is tuned to only accept premium, and while 87 will work I'm not sure how it really is in the long run.

I'm positive it will be totally fine on 87. I do have a LC but run 87 all the time. I do this because the tundra with the same engine calls for 87 while the LC and Lexus call for 93. I think its a marketing scheme and the only stuff I found from researching was to maybe run premium if towing for long periods of time or running in high altitudes. I still think ill put 87 in mine because of the price difference.

 

[jjhome66]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, but my parents have owned this 2000 LX470 since new. It currently sits at 206k on the odometer.

View attachment 3421781

It's definitely seen better days, and 11-16 MPG around the DC suburbs gets expensive on premium fuel. As it sits, it is completely stock. If we decide to go the route of fixing it up, I already know this forum will be priceless. Thanks!

Welcome! Cool color

 

[Malleus]

Yeah it's more like a dollar difference here This truck has only had 93 it's entire life (options are 87, 89, or 93 from our local gas stations). Lexus says use premium gas, so my parents do. Now, a premium only requirement probably wasn't so big of a deal in 2000, but $5.15 a gallon for 20-22 gallons is a lot.

Some have said Lexus wants 91 because it produces the full 230hp, others have said it's only EPA tested on 91, but others say 87 is fine all day. On a newer, 'lazy' NA V8 I'd have no doubt the ECU could adjust timing all day for 87 or 93 regardless of what octane the manufacturer wants. I'm worried that the LX470 ECU is tuned to only accept premium, and while 87 will work I'm not sure how it really is in the long run.

IMHO, I'd switch to non-ethanol. At any otctane, it's better than pouring alcohol in your tank.

 

[SteveH]

A very cool color. Rarely see that color out west - they are all green, white, or black.

RE: premium fuel - Yes, premium fuel (higher octane) will give you 5-8 more horsepower at wide-open throttle, where the engine can advance the timing to avoid pre-ignition. How often do you drive your truck WOT? I essentially never do, except in a rare case in the mountains. There may be other part-throttle conditions where the timing can be advanced to give a few horsepower, but since these trucks are lard-butts and are not what anyone would call fast, why bother spending the extra $1/gal on premium? You'll have, er, plenty of money to spend on other repairs and upgrades

 

[MDlexus]

Re: Fuel

Thanks for all the info on premium. I think I will switch to regular, unless I were to tow. As for ethanol, all the stations in the area have up to 10% ethanol. I'm not too worried about E10, since the manual says up to 15% ethanol is fine. And if I did want E0, I'd have to go 55 miles away according to pure-gas.org. I may do that for the snowblower this winter, but it's not worth it for the LX since there are plenty of gas stations in my immediate (suburban) area.

Re: Color

Thank you! Smoky Topaz Mica seems to have been a 98-00 only color, and only on the LX. I think the color looks nice on the LX and that the color and trim combo has aged well. Unfortunately, the clear coat is starting to go, which seems to be more likely on this color alone. But it does look very nice in the sun, especially up close.

 

[BullElk]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, but my parents have owned this 2000 LX470 since new. It currently sits at 206k on the odometer.

View attachment 3421781

It's definitely seen better days, and 11-16 MPG around the DC suburbs gets expensive on premium fuel. As it sits, it is completely stock. If we decide to go the route of fixing it up, I already know this forum will be priceless. Thanks!

Mighty nice handmedown transporter for you. My four kids have been afforded the same situation over the years. Two have made it back to me and I’m still driving them.

The only problem with starting out young with probably the best vehicle made is that over a short period of time there is nothing to compare to and appreciate how disposable and cheap other vehicles seem to be.

 

[suprarx7nut]

IMO, you can skip the premium fuel and save .60-.80/gallon. This engine is not supercharged or turbocharged, and will get along fine without premium, in spite of what the fuel door label says.

Yeah it's more like a dollar difference here This truck has only had 93 it's entire life (options are 87, 89, or 93 from our local gas stations). Lexus says use premium gas, so my parents do. Now, a premium only requirement probably wasn't so big of a deal in 2000, but $5.15 a gallon for 20-22 gallons is a lot.

Some have said Lexus wants 91 because it produces the full 230hp, others have said it's only EPA tested on 91, but others say 87 is fine all day. On a newer, 'lazy' NA V8 I'd have no doubt the ECU could adjust timing all day for 87 or 93 regardless of what octane the manufacturer wants. I'm worried that the LX470 ECU is tuned to only accept premium, and while 87 will work I'm not sure how it really is in the long run.

I'm positive it will be totally fine on 87. I do have a LC but run 87 all the time. I do this because the tundra with the same engine calls for 87 while the LC and Lexus call for 93. I think its a marketing scheme and the only stuff I found from researching was to maybe run premium if towing for long periods of time or running in high altitudes. I still think ill put 87 in mine because of the price difference.

A very cool color. Rarely see that color out west - they are all green, white, or black.

RE: premium fuel - Yes, premium fuel (higher octane) will give you 5-8 more horsepower at wide-open throttle, where the engine can advance the timing to avoid pre-ignition. How often do you drive your truck WOT? I essentially never do, except in a rare case in the mountains. There may be other part-throttle conditions where the timing can be advanced to give a few horsepower, but since these trucks are lard-butts and are not what anyone would call fast, why bother spending the extra $1/gal on premium? You'll have, er, plenty of money to spend on other repairs and upgrades

Re: Fuel

Thanks for all the info on premium. I think I will switch to regular, unless I were to tow. As for ethanol, all the stations in the area have up to 10% ethanol. I'm not too worried about E10, since the manual says up to 15% ethanol is fine. And if I did want E0, I'd have to go 55 miles away according to pure-gas.org. I may do that for the snowblower this winter, but it's not worth it for the LX since there are plenty of gas stations in my immediate (suburban) area.

Re: Color

Thank you! Smoky Topaz Mica seems to have been a 98-00 only color, and only on the LX. I think the color looks nice on the LX and that the color and trim combo has aged well. Unfortunately, the clear coat is starting to go, which seems to be more likely on this color alone. But it does look very nice in the sun, especially up close.

I ran a multi-year experiment on this in my 99LC. There was a statistically significant difference in MPG with premium vs regular. Around 10% if I recall correctly. Not quite enough to pay for the difference, but close.

IMO, it's not a marketing ploy and it's not going to hurt the engine. It does make a difference, but it's subtle. I suspect the variance in recommendation is either due to engine ECU tuning differences by model (LC/LX got a wider allowable timing map, perhaps, while Tundra got safer timing because they expect more buyers to tow and drive for extended periods on a heavier load).

The 2UZ engine electronics are intelligent enough to trim fuel and move ignition timing in reaction to knock and intake/exhaust/coolant temperatures. It can handle fuel much worse than regular and it can take advantage of the subtle differences premium offers.

Premium is not a waste, but it doesn't quite pay for itself.

 

[4Beast]

I ran a multi-year experiment on this in my 99LC. There was a statistically significant difference in MPG with premium vs regular. Around 10% if I recall correctly. Not quite enough to pay for the difference, but close.

IMO, it's not a marketing ploy and it's not going to hurt the engine. It does make a difference, but it's subtle. I suspect the variance in recommendation is either due to engine ECU tuning differences by model (LC/LX got a wider allowable timing map, perhaps, while Tundra got safer timing because they expect more buyers to tow and drive for extended periods on a heavier load).

The 2UZ engine electronics are intelligent enough to trim fuel and move ignition timing in reaction to knock and intake/exhaust/coolant temperatures. It can handle fuel much worse than regular and it can take advantage of the subtle differences premium offers.

Premium is not a waste, but it doesn't quite pay for itself.

Same for the Ethanol free, in my experience. I think i got a MPG or two better when I run ethanol free, even at 87 octane.