In an attempt to save money amid rising gas prices, a man is trying something different with his wife’s Lexus. He is putting regular gasoline in it instead of premium and asking others whether it is a good idea.
In a video posted on TikTok, the man explains that gasoline costs about $4 per gallon at a Sam’s Club in Vero Beach, Florida, while premium costs about $4.75.
He explains that his wife drives a 2009 Lexus RX 350, while he owns a 2008 Lexus GS 350. In the meantime, he has been using regular gas despite his understanding that the cars should use 91-octane premium fuel.
The man showed that filling his wife’s RX 350 from almost empty cost $66.56. With prices rising, he wants to save money and asks if anyone else has done this with vehicles that also require premium fuel.
Is It an Issue?
@xxbrohanxx Has anyone done this long term? Any issues? #mechanic #lexus #gas #questionoftheday #fyp ♬ original sound – xXBrohanXx
According to the 2009 RX 350 owner’s manual, the car should be refueled with gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher, but it doesn’t specify whether using a lower rating is acceptable.
Filling your tank with regular instead of premium is generally not a major issue in a single instance, but it can still have consequences. These can include reduced engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and potential long-term engine damage.
According to Kevin’s Autos, using 87 octane instead of 91 can also lead to slower acceleration, although some drivers may not notice any difference depending on their driving habits. However, using lower-octane fuel once is unlikely to cause permanent damage.
Kevin’s Autos recommends driving normally until the tank is nearly empty, filling up with 91-octane gasoline at the next refill, and avoiding aggressive driving. It also emphasizes that drivers should not make using lower-octane fuel a regular habit, as extended use could lead to engine damage.
Drivers Debate Whether It’s Worth It
The man’s video received over 100 comments from drivers trying to give him helpful advice. One commenter said using regular gasoline might be fine in the short term but could cause problems over a longer period.
Another argued that using regular gasoline in an older RX is acceptable, while premium fuel matters more for engines with higher compression or forced induction. Another commenter described experiencing misfires after filling two vehicles that required premium with regular gasoline.
The man has not provided further updates about using regular gasoline in his vehicles or whether he plans to continue doing so. While switching to regular gasoline may offer short-term savings, using it over the long term could come with potential risks.