What happens if you put the wrong gas in a Lexus?
As a Lexus owner, you likely take pride in maintaining your vehicle's performance and longevity. However, mistakes can happen, and one common mishap is filling your Lexus with the wrong type of fuel. Whether it's using regular gasoline in a premium-recommended engine or accidentally filling up with diesel, the consequences can vary. In this article, we'll explore what happens when the wrong gas is used and what steps you should take to address the issue.
Understanding Your Lexus Fuel Requirements
Most Lexus vehicles are designed to run on premium gasoline, which typically has a higher octane rating (91 or above). This higher octane fuel is essential for optimizing the performance of Lexus engines, particularly in models with turbocharged or high-compression engines. Using the wrong fuel can disrupt the engine's operation and potentially cause damage over time.
What Happens When You Use the Wrong Gas?
The effects of using the wrong fuel depend on the type of mistake made. Here are the most common scenarios:
- Using Regular Gasoline Instead of Premium: If your Lexus requires premium fuel and you use regular gasoline, the engine's performance may suffer. You might notice knocking or pinging sounds, reduced acceleration, and lower fuel efficiency. Over time, prolonged use of lower-octane fuel can lead to engine damage.
- Using Diesel Instead of Gasoline: Diesel fuel is not compatible with gasoline engines. If diesel is mistakenly added to your Lexus, the engine will not run properly, if at all. Diesel can clog the fuel injectors and damage the fuel system, requiring costly repairs.
- Using Gasoline in a Diesel Engine: While less common in Lexus vehicles, if you own a diesel-powered Lexus and accidentally use gasoline, the engine can suffer severe damage. Gasoline lacks the lubrication properties of diesel and can cause internal components to overheat and fail.
What Should You Do If You Put the Wrong Gas in Your Lexus?
If you realize you've used the wrong fuel, it's important to act quickly to minimize potential damage. Follow these steps:
- Do Not Start the Engine: If you haven't started the car yet, avoid doing so. Starting the engine can circulate the incorrect fuel through the system, making the problem worse.
- Contact a Professional: Call a trusted auto repair shop, like Kevin's Autos, for assistance. A professional mechanic can safely drain the incorrect fuel and inspect your vehicle for any damage.
- Monitor for Symptoms: If you've already driven the car, pay attention to any unusual sounds, reduced performance, or warning lights on the dashboard. These could indicate engine or fuel system issues that need immediate attention.
Preventing Future Mistakes
To avoid fueling mishaps in the future, consider these tips:
- Double-check the fuel type recommended in your Lexus owner's manual or on the fuel door.
- Pay close attention at the pump to ensure you're selecting the correct fuel grade.
- If you're unsure, ask the gas station attendant for assistance.
Conclusion
Putting the wrong gas in your Lexus can lead to a range of issues, from reduced performance to costly repairs. By understanding your vehicle's fuel requirements and acting quickly if a mistake occurs, you can protect your Lexus and keep it running smoothly. If you ever find yourself in this situation, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional auto repair service like Kevin's Autos for expert help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I accidentally put the wrong gas in my car?
You may start to an immediate reduction in fuel economy, power performance, and hear a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise. Depending on how long you have been using the lower octane fuel the erratic combustion produced from this error can cause over-heating and irreversible damage to your engine.
How much does it cost to drain wrong fuel?
It should cost around £150 to £300 to drain your fuel tank. But it'll depend on what mechanic or garage you use and where you live in the country. If you caught your mistake quickly at the petrol station before starting the car, you'll just have to cover the fuel removal expenses.
What will happen if I put regular gas instead of premium?
If you fill up such a vehicle with regular fuel, you may indeed be voiding a warranty. This will most often come into play if substituting regular for premium leads to significant engine knock or pinging that causes damage to the pistons or other engine components.
What happens if I put the wrong gas in my Lexus?
Pumping the wrong fuel into your Lexus car can have serious consequences. Gasoline in a diesel engine can cause damage to the fuel system, engine misfire, and fuel contamination. Diesel in a gasoline engine can cause damage to the fuel system, engine damage, and reduced engine performance.
What happens if I mix 87 and 93 gas?
Mixing 93 and 87 gas doesn't have any ill effects. It simply creates a new formula referred to as “midgrade” that's often available in gas stations. Additionally, the difference between premium and regular gas is that the premium ones are of higher quality.
What happens if I put regular gas in my Lexus?
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.
How do you know if you put wrong fuel in a car?
If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, you may experience a range of symptoms including, the engine misfiring, a loss of power, and the smell of fuel within the vehicle. You may also smell fuel coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle may also stutter when you pull away in lower gears.
Will mixing premium and regular gas mess up your car?
There's nothing wrong with mixing premium and regular gas in the same tank. In fact, this is how midgrade gas is formulated at the station. Rather than drawing from a separate storage tank for each octane rating, gas pumps actively mix high-octane fuel with lower-octane fuel to create midgrade gas.
What happens if I accidentally put 87 instead of 93?
If you put lower-octane fuel into your high-octane vehicle, whether by mistake or to save money on gas, you'll probably notice the effects right away: things like poor fuel economy, reduced acceleration, and spark knock, which sounds like a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise.
What happens if I accidentally put regular gas in a premium car?
With regular kill your ride. Well the short answer is no so in a pinch you can use regular. But you will likely hear an engine knock. And you might notice a degrade in performance.
