Does the Lexus IS350 require premium gas?
Yes. The IS350’s high‑compression 3.5-liter V6 is designed to run on premium unleaded gasoline, with a recommended octane rating around 91 or higher in the United States. In many regions, higher-octane fuel is advised, and regular gasoline is not recommended for everyday driving. Always check your specific model year and market in the owner’s manual.
Octane requirements by market
Understanding regional differences helps ensure you fuel the IS350 correctly. While the exact octane rating can vary by year and market, premium fuel is generally advised to maintain performance and engine safety.
- United States and Canada: Premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI (or higher) is recommended for the IS350. Regular 87 octane is not preferred for daily driving and may reduce performance over time.
- Europe and many other regions: Premium fuel with higher octane, typically around 95 RON or higher, is commonly advised to match the engine’s compression and tuning.
- Other markets: Local octane scales vary; consult the owner’s manual or local Lexus dealer for the exact specification in your country.
Bottom line: Across markets, the IS350 is designed to run best on premium fuel, with lower-octane options not recommended for regular use.
Model-year and regional nuances
Some model years or markets may have slight variations in octane recommendations or fuel system configurations. Always confirm the exact requirement for your vehicle in the owner’s manual and by consulting a Lexus service center if you’re unsure.
Practical guidance for fuel choices
What drivers should know about using premium fuel and what to do if premium isn’t available at the pump.
- Follow the manual’s recommendation: use premium gasoline (91 AKI/92+ octane in most cases) for optimal performance and protection against knocking.
- If you must use regular gas temporarily: avoid aggressive driving, and return to premium as soon as possible to minimize potential knock and performance loss.
- Be attentive to engine sounds and performance: pinging or reduced power after fueling could indicate the fuel octane is too low for the engine’s current load.
- Consider regional fuel options: in some markets, the equivalent high-octane fuel may have a slightly different rating (RON vs. AKI). Always translate locally to the recommended grade and consult the dealer if in doubt.
Conclusion: Premium fuel is the safest, best-performing choice for the IS350. Use regular fuel only as a very occasional stopgap and revert to premium promptly.
Summary
The Lexus IS350 is built around a high‑compression V6 that benefits from premium gasoline (typically 91 AKI or higher in the US, higher octane elsewhere). While some markets may tolerate lower-octane fuel under certain conditions, regular fuel is not recommended for daily driving and may compromise performance, efficiency, and long‑term reliability. Always refer to the owner’s manual for your exact model year and market, and choose the fuel grade accordingly.
What kind of gas does the 2025 is350 take?
The 2025 Lexus IS 350 requires premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91. Using lower-octane gas may lead to reduced engine performance and fuel efficiency.
- Fuel type: Premium unleaded.
- Octane rating: 91 or higher.
- Reason: Performance-focused engines, like the one in the IS 350, are engineered to work best with higher octane fuel, which helps prevent engine knocking and maximizes power and efficiency.
- Consequences of using lower octane: If you use a lower octane fuel, the engine will "detune" to compensate, which can decrease performance and fuel economy.
Is the Lexus IS 350 good on gas?
The 2022 IS has the option to equip 1 of 4 different engines with its own unique gas mileage. The available IS 350 F Sport features fuel efficiency of 20 city MPG, 28mpg on the highway, and 22 miles per gallon combined.
What Lexus does not need premium gas?
Several Lexus models do not require premium gas, including the Lexus ES 350, RX 350 (older models), NX 250 (some model years), and hybrid models like the UX 250h and NX 350h/450h+ (where premium is recommended but not required). To confirm the correct fuel for a specific vehicle, always check the owner's manual or the vehicle's fuel-door label.
Models that typically use regular unleaded (87 octane)
- Lexus CT 200h
- Lexus ES 300h and ES 350
- Lexus HS 250h
- Lexus NX 250 (some model years)
- Lexus NX 300h (older models)
- Lexus RX 350 (models from approximately 2012-2022)
- Lexus UX 250h (some model years)
Models where premium is recommended but not required
- Some hybrid models, such as the NX 350h and NX 450h+, can use regular gas, but using premium is recommended for optimal performance and to prevent potential engine knocking.
How to be certain
- Check the owner's manual: This is the most reliable source of information for your specific vehicle.
- Look at the fuel door: The required fuel type is often listed inside the fuel-filler door.
What happens if I use regular gas in a Lexus IS?
For one, too low grade gas leads to engine knocking, which can damage your engine in the long run. In addition, using regular gas when you should use premium could void your warranty, which will cost you much more than your small savings at the pump.
