Why does 2007 LX470 ‘require’ premium gas but 2005-2006 LX470 require regular gas?

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( from What octane do you run? )
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Good luck finding any factual information, about the variance in octane recommendations by Toyota/Lexus, for the 100 series.
 
Those are the Toyota landcruiser version not the Lexus LX470. The same debate exists on the lx570 and landcruiser where the landcruiser uses regular but the lx570 lexus recommends premium. Lexus had mentioned that the engine tuning or software on the Lexus lx570 is different than the landcruiser 200 so knock could happen even if thin engine and transmission are the same.

But yeah the LX470 2005 to 2006 are regular gas and the 2007 is premium per lexus.
 
  1. People associate Lexus as a Premium brand. Porsches say Premium, BMW say Premium so... Lexus says Premium.
  2. There are literally millions of Toyota 4.7s running around the face of the earth. I doubt you can get 93 Octane Premium 200 miles in the middle of nowhere in Sudan.
  3. There are some situations where premium gas will make the motor more resistant to pinging. People that buy Lexus' don't like pinging. They prefer tomb-like quiet. So the manual says "put in the stuff that will never ping, under any circumstance". Easy solution to people complaining about pinging and unnecessary dealer visits only to educate them on gasoline octane.
  4. The ECU will adjust for almost any swill that you put in it, with timing. So to squeeze those last few advertised HP out of the motor, premium is the choice. But in the real world, your butt-dyno won't notice.

So, to summarize - there is a substantial savings to be had putting 87 octane (or whatever your local low octane is) in the tank of a vehicle that get 13-15MPG. Put in the cheap stuff (from a brand name dealership), and forget about it.
 
Haschwalth said:
Those are the Toyota landcruiser version not the Lexus LX470. The same debate exists on the lx570 and landcruiser where the landcruiser uses regular but the lx570 lexus recommends premium. Lexus had mentioned that the engine tuning or software on the Lexus lx570 is different than the landcruiser 200 so knock could happen even if thin engine and transmission are the same.

But yeah the LX470 2005 to 2006 are regular gas and the 2007 is premium per lexus.
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If you look at the chart above, the Toyota vs. Lexus anecdote doesn't seem to line up with the chart (except for one year, 2007)
 
Here is my guess and this is probably all your going to get is a guess from anyone. It most likely has to do with advertising and fleet fuel average. Car manufacturers are hit with taxes or fines, whatever you want to call them, on fleet MPG average. By stating premium it ups the MPG. Usually not a bit deal in a model that sells as few as the LX but i'm betting that lexus just went to premium across the board on all there cars.
 
Haschwalth said:
Those are the Toyota landcruiser version not the Lexus LX470. The same debate exists on the lx570 and landcruiser where the landcruiser uses regular but the lx570 lexus recommends premium. Lexus had mentioned that the engine tuning or software on the Lexus lx570 is different than the landcruiser 200 so knock could happen even if thin engine and transmission are the same.

But yeah the LX470 2005 to 2006 are regular gas and the 2007 is premium per lexus.
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The 08-11 LX570 and LC200 use the exact same Engine Control Unit/Module. Where is this difference in tuning occurring? I wouldn't get so hung up on the '06 vs '07 literature/advertising. Nothing mechanical changed substantially.
 
Haschwalth said:
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?
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Yeah... Standard internet forum stuff. The manufacturer said do it, so you better. Then 5 pages of arguments ensue.

Pretty sure Lexus doesn't recommend the tires, wheels bumpers, etc half of us run. :)

Do you think you'll have knock? Do you think there will be other adverse effects? I doubt it.
 
I ran 87 for nearly 2 years. But, I was adding Seafoam Fuel Treatment to every other tank. I started running 91 back in November without adding Seafoam. The overall cost is about the same. I haven't seen any performance increase. But, as I understand it, premium fuel isn't as "dirty" and is better at keeping the motor clean. Definitely hurts less now that gas has been around 2.29/gallon for premium. My tone might change if we get back into the $3-4 range again.

One thing I have noticed though is that when I've been able to run "pure" gas (Silverton, CO has a station that offers it), my rig runs noticeably better and for a longer distance. Why oh why do we have to have these damnable ethanol blends!????
 
jLB said:
( from What octane do you run? )
View attachment 1912823

Good luck finding any factual information, about the variance in octane recommendations by Toyota/Lexus, for the 100 series.
Click to expand...
Reviving an old thread here but in debate, but just adding some context for my situation. Ive always used premium, always, for thirty years. Im starting a new business and commuting a ton and mathematically it does not make sense to use premium. It's one dollar more. Sure it doesn't make sense to use this as a long distance commuter when worrying about gas either. Ive found with regular, in my 2006, the gas mileage is less by about two gallons, and she is an absolute dog compared to premium. The engine runs smooth as can be, perhaps even better with the regular gas however as flooring the pedal is less abrupt..and maybe its made me speed a bit less because of that.

Here's my deduction on the recommendations in the manual. Gas prices were higher in 2002-2006 due to global conflict as well as decreased demand. In 2005 CAFE regulations also started. So its likely that in order to keep up with the times, there were slight tuning changes so people could opt for cheaper gas when it was expensive or legal language was changed if the premium gas now got them back in the regulations.
 
None of the previous posts are correct. The fuel used for the CAFE tests must be the fuel the manufacturer suggests, or else they run afoul of the EPA/USDOT. Every manufacturer must submit model year tests results for record to the EPA/USDOT. Every year the CAFE standards change.

This is why there are differences between the fuels recommended for dfferent model years.
 
Malleus said:
None of the previous posts are correct. The fuel used for the CAFE tests must be the fuel the manufacturer suggests, or else they run afoul of the EPA/USDOT. Every manufacturer must submit model year tests results for record to the EPA/USDOT. Every year the CAFE standards change.

This is why there are differences between the fuels recommended for different model years.
Click to expand...
2008 was the also the effective year when the EPA implemented broad changes to how OEMs could calculate and display mpgs. The fuel economy ratings for most cars were reduced by 10-15% in 2008 vs 2007 for the same models. Several OEMs had “2007.5” models and launched 2008 model year vehicles late in the calendar year to comply while selling prior model year vehicles into 2008. Fuel recommendation or requirement changes for 2007 MY vehicles were potentially issued to comply with the changes.

That being said, my 03 LX does seem to do about 5-8% better on premium, although the variance in drivability is barely perceptible.
 
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