Who puts premium in their MDX?
08-20-2010, 10:54 AM
#43
Cruisin'
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I always use 93 octane when I fill up although my wife usually uses it.
I noticed rough engine noise sometimes and some time back, I causally asked her about the grade when she fills up and realized that she was filling it up with 89.
I'm with a lot of other people - I bought it because I wanted a nice vehicle and while I have it, I'll take good care of it so that I can really enjoy the ride. If I wanted to cheap out, I shouldn't have spent > 40k for a vehicle in the first place.
I noticed rough engine noise sometimes and some time back, I causally asked her about the grade when she fills up and realized that she was filling it up with 89.
I'm with a lot of other people - I bought it because I wanted a nice vehicle and while I have it, I'll take good care of it so that I can really enjoy the ride. If I wanted to cheap out, I shouldn't have spent > 40k for a vehicle in the first place.
08-20-2010, 03:37 PM
#44
Cruisin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i wanted to save money, so i purchased my mdx used. i use regular gas to save money also. i got 25.8 mpg earlier this week from auburn to vestal on rt 81. not to shabby! i could probably lay a bigger patch of rubber on the road with premium, but that doesn't interest me.
08-20-2010, 09:36 PM
#46
I think a lot of Guys forgot one thing about fuel. Hi-Test is a cleaner fuel for injected engines. Run regular for 60,000 and the injectors need cleaning at least replacing at worst.
My HD Serrea Truck has 246789 parking it today. Hi-test almost every tank. Never had a single engine issue with 02 sensors or injectors.
My HD Serrea Truck has 246789 parking it today. Hi-test almost every tank. Never had a single engine issue with 02 sensors or injectors.
08-23-2010, 09:46 PM
#47
Burning Brakes
Premium (93 octane here) about 95% of the time, but will add regular if topping off with more than half a tank. The MDX only requires 91 octane so 50/50 is 90 octane, so no more than 8 gallons of regular will be fine. Mid-grade at 89 or 90 is just a mixture of regular and premium, which I will also use from time to time.
08-27-2010, 09:10 PM
#51
Intermediate
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: reno nv
Age: 44
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD owner here. I can't afford MDX.
I am running premium chevron 91 all the time, even manual say use 87 or higher.
It only cost me extra $9-10 a week using premium.
I am running premium chevron 91 all the time, even manual say use 87 or higher.
It only cost me extra $9-10 a week using premium.
08-31-2010, 11:09 AM
#54
Cruisin'
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few others have given good info on this thread, notably Majofo, but nobody has explained what octane is so far, and I thought I would, since it is usually misunderstood.
.................................................. ..........
.................................................. ..........
Figuring you guys wouldn't trust a noob, you can look up some of this info here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...tane/index.htm
.................................................. ..........
.................................................. ..........
Figuring you guys wouldn't trust a noob, you can look up some of this info here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...tane/index.htm
08-31-2010, 04:54 PM
#55
Cruisin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-31-2010, 05:43 PM
#56
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
That article makes a poor assertion. Letting knock occur and trusting your engine management to pull timing is like playing Russian Roulette. Make sure you read the details in the article as well.
Some engines for which premium gasoline is recommended can run on regular without problems.
08-31-2010, 07:44 PM
#57
Cruisin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i read the article and believe it is accurate. you will need to 'trust' your engine management no matter which gas you use. do you think engine management 'goes away' when you put premium in the tank? i'd love to see that article on russian roulette.
08-31-2010, 10:31 PM
#58
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
08-31-2010, 11:28 PM
#59
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
Some engines for which premium gasoline is recommended can run on regular without problems. That's because the engine's knock-sensor system detects the presence of uncontrolled burning in the chambers. When it does, the engine's computer-control system retards engine timing, eliminating the knock but slightly reducing power. If you don't mind giving up some performance, you can run these engines on less-expensive regular gasoline. To check whether your engine is capable of running on regular gas, read your owner's manual or ask your dealership's service department.
When you engineer a complicated device like an engine, there is always a preferred state in mind (gas, oil, plugs, etc). These are all assumptions that the manufacturer will consider as fact when they warranty or guarantee the life of something. Do something different, and you're on your own.
The fact they designed engines to run in an off-optimal condition does not mean that should be done on a regular basis. The knock sensors probably adapt in the case someone accidentally runs regular or maybe does not have premium available at the time. I doubt they designed the engine to run that way all the time without consequences. Otherwise the manual would recommend both, with maybe a small caveat that power and mileage will suffer on regular. But they don't. The recommend premium for a reason - because that's how the engine was designed to run.
Are you going to believe the assertion of hundreds of highly trained professional engineers who designed the engine and made that recommendation, or some random article in consumer reports that doesn't even have an author listed?
Stuns me that people will pay 20, 30, 40 and 50K for a vehicle and not pay the cost of a Starbucks coffee per tank to just give the car what it was designed for. I bought a used MDX to save money as well, but I'd never cheap out on oil or gas because saving $4.00 is not worth risking $28,000.
09-01-2010, 12:26 PM
#60
Cruisin'
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sometimes I look at this thread and just shake my head.
When you engineer a complicated device like an engine, ......
Stuns me that people will pay 20, 30, 40 and 50K for a vehicle and not pay the cost of a Starbucks coffee per tank to just give the car what it was designed for. I bought a used MDX to save money as well, but I'd never cheap out on oil or gas because saving $4.00 is not worth risking $28,000.
When you engineer a complicated device like an engine, ......
Stuns me that people will pay 20, 30, 40 and 50K for a vehicle and not pay the cost of a Starbucks coffee per tank to just give the car what it was designed for. I bought a used MDX to save money as well, but I'd never cheap out on oil or gas because saving $4.00 is not worth risking $28,000.
Also, not worth risking thousands of dollars in trade in value either
09-01-2010, 06:38 PM
#61
Cruisin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-07-2010, 08:08 PM
#62
1st Gear
Join Date: Sep 2010
Age: 57
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought I would add something to this thread about fuel economy and enhancements I have made to my 03 MDX which have shown modest improvement. First, I used a K&N Air Filter to boost the airlfow. I saw a slight decrease in gas mileage initially, but now I'm a 2 mpg higher. Two weeks ago I added the liberty vortex air flow device to the air intake and have seen a marked increase in performance and about 4mpg added fuel economy.
I've used 89 and 92 octane since I purchased my MDX and now I strickly use 92 with an octane booster once a month. I fill my tank 3 times a month and my range has improved from 265 per tank to 296 - 302 with the enhancements. Hope this helps.
I've used 89 and 92 octane since I purchased my MDX and now I strickly use 92 with an octane booster once a month. I fill my tank 3 times a month and my range has improved from 265 per tank to 296 - 302 with the enhancements. Hope this helps.
10-03-2010, 05:18 PM
#64
10-04-2010, 02:09 PM
#66
10th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I look at this from the manufacture perspective. I think Acura would love to be able to say they can pump out a healthy 300 horses and 275 ft lbs of torque from a 3.7L engine, all using 87 octane regular gas. I bet it would at least sell a couple more cars.
For it to recommend premium is already in itself a negative marketing point.
I am no engineer or chemist so I can't breakdown gas to its molecular levels, but I do believe in Honda/Acura, their products, and their images of reliability and dependability. I don't believe Acura recommends premium for no reason.
For it to recommend premium is already in itself a negative marketing point.
I am no engineer or chemist so I can't breakdown gas to its molecular levels, but I do believe in Honda/Acura, their products, and their images of reliability and dependability. I don't believe Acura recommends premium for no reason.
Last edited by shawdrl; 10-04-2010 at 02:12 PM.
91
11-15-2010, 07:47 PM
#73
10th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am the original owner of an '01 with 125,000 miles. I live at high altitude, 6,000ft + and I use regular 90% of the time. Here premium is aprx .50 more per gallon and there is no benefit to premium at this altitude. I get 23-26mpg in most of my driving which is, granted, ideal MPG driving 40-55mph. No pinging. I have just experienced about 2 mpg decrease since switching from the Michelin tires. Dang, they had much less rolling resistance than the new ones I just put on.
In looking at the newest MDX though it looks like I can't get away with regular. That engine is tuned too tight to consistently run regular.
In looking at the newest MDX though it looks like I can't get away with regular. That engine is tuned too tight to consistently run regular.
11-16-2010, 01:59 PM
#75
Old Man Yelling at Clouds
Acura recommends primium for a reason, and it's not because a higher cost of ownership sells more cars or the MDX would some how appear pedestrian if it used lowly regular. If you want to believe there is no substance behind the manufacturer's recommendation, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to own their car however they wish. But to convince yourself that something is OK in spite of reasonable and sound engineering arguments is just adding risk to your ownership experience. Maybe it will end well, maybe not.
11-17-2010, 09:43 AM
#76
Intermediate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the documentation you seek is in the owners manual. I doubt the marketing department is the one recommending premium just to maintain appearances. The engine designers get to make that call.
Acura recommends primium for a reason, and it's not because a higher cost of ownership sells more cars or the mdx would some how appear pedestrian if it used lowly regular. If you want to believe there is no substance behind the manufacturer's recommendation, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to own their car however they wish. But to convince yourself that something is ok in spite of reasonable and sound engineering arguments is just adding risk to your ownership experience. Maybe it will end well, maybe not.
Acura recommends primium for a reason, and it's not because a higher cost of ownership sells more cars or the mdx would some how appear pedestrian if it used lowly regular. If you want to believe there is no substance behind the manufacturer's recommendation, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to own their car however they wish. But to convince yourself that something is ok in spite of reasonable and sound engineering arguments is just adding risk to your ownership experience. Maybe it will end well, maybe not.
11-17-2010, 05:18 PM
#77
10th Gear
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My mileage was achieved by being in the ideal speed for good mileage, 5th gear and 45 to 60. That and the low rolling resistance Michelin tires seem to add a couple MPG. I don't think the Hondas came with the Michelins. I just bought new tires and for the first time, not Michelins, and immediately lost 1.5 to 2mpg so it makes a difference.
11-17-2010, 11:40 PM
#78
Intermediate
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: reno nv
Age: 44
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
most pilot came with good year fortera. touring came with michelins. I personally don't like driving in the snow with good year tire. when its time for the new tire, I would buy michelins ltx m/s.
11-19-2010, 08:24 AM
#79
TSXmeister
I put premium on my TSX and Odyssey all the time. The Odyssey is a 2000 year model and has 127,000+ miles and use it as my daily driver, the Ody manual recommends to put premium gas although it could get away putting regular gas in the tank but I opt not to. The Odyssey amazes me....no hiccups it starts everytime and runs like a clock ever since I bought it new well until next year I will be looking to replace it with the new MDX.
