Which fuel to burn in an automotive engine, or any other gasoline engine - It is a question of "pre-ignition" or early detonation of the gasoline in a higher compression engine. I don't know what the compression of our engine is but I think because we have the turbocharged engine, compression is high which could/may lead to the potential of Pre-ignition if a low/lower octane fuel is used. Pre-ignition can tear our engines apart if allowed to happen by using a lower octane fuel. So, Lexus recommends/requires (if possible) owners to use Premium, higher octane which is less likely to have Pre-ignition.
Generally, people don't know that when a gasoline retailer buys gasoline from an area distributor, all gasoline is the same. It is the "chemicals" that are added to the gasoline that make it what it is when "we" buy it at a retail gasoline point.
I had a relative that worked for an area Exxon distributor and would go to Memphis gasoline distributor with a gasoline tanker truck. He had a "credit card" type of card that carried his "brand" of fuel additives. He pulled the truck up and placed the transfer hose in the top of the fuel cell, swiped his card in a card reader which identified "Regular Unleaded, Mid Unleaded or Premium Unleaded gasoline. He filled each cell on the trailer with X amount of gas and then off he went to deliver customers gasoline, Regular, Mid, Premium. But it all came out of the same hose with different additives to make the different grades of gasoline.
We need to be concerned about octane to use in our vehicles and from a "reputable" brand of gasoline. And it is all about Pre-Ignition of fuel to keep higher compression engines from Pre-mature combustion to prevent "knocking" in our engines and tearing them apart.
That's my 2 cents on gasoline.
️ on Lexus GX ( V- 8) & several Bi Turbo Mercedes Benz with no engine issues ( over 19 ) years & meticulous service records ! It may affect gas mileage ! Anyone with similar experience?? Just curious !
