CrunchyDaddy

Hey guys,

Just bought a 2005 TL Base last Wednesday and wife is driving the car today.

I knew the car called for 91 Octane but haven't had the chance fill it up until now.

She was talking to me as she was going to put the nozzle in when I told her to select 91. She selected 86 by habit and quickly changed it.

This is my first car that calls for higher octane and I have read mixed opinions (on other sites) if 86 - 91 really makes a difference. We don't mind paying for the higher octane and know that the engine is probably optimized for 91, but could a lower octane really make a difference?

Some people say no and some people say yes, you can tell the difference. The main "concern" was that there might be knocking or pinging if you use a different octane.

I've always used higher octane at times on my vehicles that just called for regular fuel but never "downgraded" on a car that calls for premium off the bat....

Thanks again guys!

thoiboi

fuck... not again


91. Just do it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

because the ECU is designed to accept 89, your past cars DID NOT BENEFIT from putting in a higher octane fuel.

HOWEVER; your new to you TL calls for 91+.
The ECU is DESIGNED around this fuel, because of the engine's HIGH compression ratio.

TL;DR
Use 91+ or your car WILL DIE

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

hahah...

Crunchy, stick with 91 and you will be fine...there a reason the car calls for the 91...the ECU is tuned to 91...yes, you can put 87 in there as a temp solution, but 87 doesnt burn as clean as 91 (duh) hence lower fuel economy, timing being pulled, less power delivery, etc...

just to put things in a financial perspective, I have tracked my gas log for over 100K miles over the past 8 years of owning the car. When I bought the car (2005 TL) in 2007, she had 60K miles and now she has 185K now...I lost the first journal and lost the logs from 62k-81K miles...anyway,

Total Gallons tracked: 4,354.12
Total Miles tracked: 104,466.00

If 87 is 25 cents cheaper than 91, thats ~1000 bucks in 104K miles...about a dollar per 100 miles....not bad at all imo


EDIT: dangit! Justin beat me to it

CrunchyDaddy

Thanks guys, we were planning on doing it anyways and gas is cheap here in Texas for premium - $2.50.

Just wanted to your take on it, and if there are truly any repercussions.

Sorry if this is a repeat post. I'm new to this whole forum thing. New member and very first forum to ever join.

polobunny

Hey I don't know guys, but I've been saving a lot putting 87 instead and I haven't had any consequences. I think 91 is only a suggestion.

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

You have a high performance V6 w/ a higher compression ratio that's tuned for 91+ octane. If you want your car to run properly and live a maximum life span, run 91+ octante

nfnsquared

Total BS. Octane rating has nothing to do with cleanliness of burn in a non-DI engine.

OP, read here for more info on the 87 vs 91 debate:

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...egular-925020/

dezymond

It asks for premium, stick with premium.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

dagnammit...I meant FASTER

good catch nfn

nfnsquared

^^^^^ OK, it's all good. Thought maybe you'd been brainwashed by WDPSedan

truonghthe

I lend my IS300 to a friend and he "accidentally" put 87 regular in it, the car ran like shit. It came back with a missfire code P0100, yeah its not hurt the motor but the car run like shit especially the engine response to throttle in put.

jnikora

Depending on the weather, there is more likely to be a noticeable difference in performance, i.e., hot weather demands higher octane to prevent pre-ignition. I experience almost imperceptible difference in mileage and less in performance (2006 TSX) with 89 octane (cheated a couple times when the price was well over $4.00) but the real difference comes with ethanol. I get about 10% better mileage without it. All that said, today's engines are complex and there is more to consider than getting away with running lower octane. As everybody has mentioned, the car is tuned for the octane rating and you'll get your best performance and longevity from using 91.

SayItAintTom

If your car says regular and you put in premium you gain absolutely nothing but a false confidence boost convincing yourself that you are taking great care of your car.

Premium does nothing for regular cars, just saying.

06TLMatt

$2.50 for premium??! 3.82 in NC....

SL33per

When I first bought my TL type-s, it took a bit to start thinking it may be time for a new battery. This went on for almost a weeks until I consulted my mechanic and he recommended premium gas and sure enough it starts up quick every time now.....I'm just saying...

TacoBello

I find that 91 has a much more intoxicating taste and smell to it. 87 just doesn't get me feeling as good when I'm in my garage huffing a bag of the premium stuff. Like scotch, I myself prefer the premium products better.

N1h1l1ty

you sure you're not from Regina?

CrunchyDaddy

Haha! I think Texas has the lowest gas prices right now. When the gas prices were dropping, it got as low as $1.55 for regular. Cashed in on my grocery store points and got gas for $1.25!

TacoBello

Show off

Six4one

Man... I thought $2.85 here in Iowa was bad until I read your post...

thoiboi

At prices that low, why the hell are you even considering regular?!

polobunny

lol righty-o.

$1.30/L for premium at the corner store right now.
3.785 L in a gallon

So $4.92/gal



And wait, we're not even in Europe!

thoiboi

Jet fuel can't melt steel beams

pbook4g5

Higher octane burns cooler rather than faster or better or more completely or whatever other adjective people would like to throw in there.

And to the poster who posted about a higher octane being needed to avoid pre-ignition... no. Its needed to prevent knocking due to the high compression, as it's been pointed out in this thread. Pre-ignition and knocking are two different things.

truonghthe

That why Texas got hit hardest with the recently massive layoffs. Yeah gas price low = Houston struggle.

CrunchyDaddy

I never was considering regular. I was just wondering if premium is really needed for our cars. My 3G is the first car that I ever owned that called for premium fuel.

As for truonghthe, come up to Dallas/Fort Worth. Job market is hot up here right now. lol

truonghthe

^^^yes our car does need premium fuel, if you put regular in the tank you will feel the way engine response. I tried that in a RDX loaner lol and its like day and night.

Acura-OC

Could you explain why higher octane burns cooler?

Let me help you a little bit.
Internal combustion engine converts chemical energy into thermal energy. What would cooler burning do to MPG and to performance?

StanCeD_J32

iTrader: (11)

couldn't of said it better myself.

DMZ

Like the back inside cover of my favorite magazine says every month:

"HERE WE GO WITH ANOTHER RIDICULOUS MAD FOLD-IN" !!



Could we please stop these senseless useless discussions on whether of not to use premium?

N1h1l1ty

Yes your car calls for 91 Octane. Yes you should use it and enjoy your engine not blowing up. The end.