Why does 2007 LX470 ‘require’ premium gas but 2005-2006 LX470 require regular gas? (1 Viewer)

[Haschwalth]

Been slowly watching the market for a well maintained, and reasonably priced LX470 2005-2007, and something I found interesting is that Lexus states that the 2005-2006 LX470 takes regular gas, but the 2007 takes premium. From what I understand there were no differences in years 2005-2007.

Does anyone know of any changes that year 2007 that differentiate it from 2005-2006?

 

[trdcorolla]

My 2001 has a premium sticker on the gas tank door.

 

[Haschwalth]

My 2001 has a premium sticker on the gas tank door.

I’m talking about the 2005-2006 LX470 manuals stating 87 octane is required but the 2007 LX470 says 91 octane is required.

 

[BullElk]

Interesting about the 2007 which I do not own yet. I use regular gas in all of mine. The only difference I have noticed in using premium or nonethonal gas is that I spend more net money on gas. Not my objective.

 

[Ager Venator]

2000 supposed to take 91 (doesn't usually get it)

 

[Haschwalth]

2000 supposed to take 91 (doesn't usually get it)

Lexus manual says that the 2001 is supposed to take 91. See: Which fuel grade should I use for my Lexus vehicle?

I’m talking about the 2005-2007 models. Not the 2001.

2005-2006 require 87 octane, but 2007 requires 91 even though it appears to be the exact same thing. But why?

 

[Roosevelt T]

You won't get knock either way, and these are port injected engines so there's no risk there.

Just put whatever gas you want in, and buy the cleanest LX you find.

 

[Haschwalth]

You won't get knock either way, and these are port injected engines so there's no risk there.

Just put whatever gas you want in, and buy the cleanest LX you find.

I’ve read through previous threads on the premium vs regular gas debate, and the general sentiment was that if Lexus stated to use premium that it would be better to use it, but using regular is likely fine. I agree that using regular is probably ok, but still curious why the 2007 states “premium fuel” but the 2005-2006 don’t. Was there some change between 2006-2007 say in how the engine is tuned?

 

[CLEcruiser]

Does it say required or recommended

 

[Haschwalth]

2007 LX470 Manual:
Fuel types
Use premium unleaded gasoline. (91 Octane Rating [Research Octane Number 96] or higher) Source: https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM60C81U/pdf/OM60C81U.pdf page: 63

2006 LX470 Manual:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.

Source: https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM60C51U/pdf/OM60C51U-edited.pdf (page 22)

2005 LX470 Manual:Fuel type
Unleaded gasoline only
Octane rating 87 (Research octane number 91) or higher
Source: https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM60B45U/pdf/OM60B45U.pdf page: 379

It is also stated on Lexus’s website here: Which fuel grade should I use for my Lexus vehicle?

 

[Burch1]

‘04 the same

 

[Wesley Crusher]

I've always put premium in my 07. Will regular work? Probably, but I'm not going to be pinching pennies over this.

 

[Haschwalth]

I've always put premium in my 07. Will regular work? Probably, but I'm not going to be pinching pennies over this.

Right so the question is why is the 2007 stating premium gas required, but the 2005-2006 require regular/87? I haven’t seen any threads mentioning this discrepancy before.

Was there some change in 2007 from 2006 with the engine software that made it prefer premium over regular?

 

[trdcorolla]

You'll notice a lot of us here on mud like to overthink things, me being one of them. If you really read all the octane threads here, some say 91 gets slightly better mpg's (slightly like a percent or two, haha) and slightly better throttle response. Now if those 2 are worth it to you, that's what you'll have to decide. The 03+ with the 5 speed tranny is already a huge improvement in performance, the extra HP because of VVTi of the 06+ is icing on the cake.

 

[Wesley Crusher]

Right so the question is why is the 2007 stating premium gas required, but the 2005-2006 require regular/87? I haven’t seen any threads mentioning this discrepancy before.

Was there some change in 2007 from 2006 with the engine software that made it prefer premium over regular?

In 2006 the new VVTI motor was introduced. Maybe Toyota thought that regular fuel was fine at first, but realized that premium was a better choice by the time the 07 models were being produced? Honestly, that's just a guess.

 

[Pyrenees]

I've run 87, 89 and 93 on my 2001 LX (4spd, non-VVTi). Those three are the predominant options locally. I believe the factory recommendation on mine was to run 91. I can't tell a single bit of difference in responsiveness in the throttle and the MPGs are basically the same. I fill up the tank around the halfway mark and mix 87-89 during the winter, 89-93 in the spring/fall and run 93 in the extremely hot couple of summer months.

 

[Haschwalth]

In 2006 the new VVTI motor was introduced. Maybe Toyota thought that regular fuel was fine at first, but realized that premium was a better choice by the time the 07 models were being produced? Honestly, that's just a guess.

Hmmm - does anyone know is there was any mechanical/electrical/options changes from 2006 to 2007?

 

[FastCarGuy]

I used regular in mine for the first couple months and then went to premium. After a couple tanks I realized small grades that it used to downshift in order to maintain set speed now it went over without a downshift. So it definitely uprated the HP by switching to premium.

 

[hoser]

2007 LC100 manual says use 87 or higher.

Page 236

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM60C79U/pdf/OM60C79U.pdf

 

[Cetus]

I drive a 2007 and switch between 89 and 91 dependent on gas prices based on location. I notice a slight increase in mpg but that's also probably in my head. No real data to base that slight increase. I've never tried 87 but imagine that should be fine. If I'm towing then I just use 91 to feel better.