2001 Lexus ES 300 User Guide 1 - Page 422

ENGINE FUEL Fuel type Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline. To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will not. At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. Octane Number lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will lead to engine damage. If your engine knocks ...If you detect heavy knocking even when using the recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus dealer. However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no cause for concern. Gasolines containing detergent additives NOTICE Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three-way catalytic converter to lose its effectiveness and the emission control system to function improperly. Also, this can increase maintenance costs. Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contain detergent additives to avoid build-up of engine deposits. For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local gasoline retailer. Quality gasoline Automobile manufacturers in U.S., Europe and Japan have developed a specification for quality fuel named World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be applied world wide. The WWFC consists of three categories that depend on required emission levels. In the U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle fleets, and Octane rating Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended. Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research 404