A friend of mine just got an MDX. The manual states that the car should receive 91 octane or higher. He fills it with regular. Is that a problem? Better yet, will it present him with problems after, say, 75,000 miles.

I know this is a CL website and I happen to have one myself (had it for about 2 and a half years). To put it bluntly, I chose the CL over a BMW 323ci, Benz C280, and a 1st Gen Infiniti I30. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Less on service bills, not as many on the road, ton of standard features. . .you get the picture.

Thanks in advance for any help with the MDX question, and I'll have pics of my CL up here shortly (98 2.3, Dark Green on Grey Leather, 5% limo tint all around, clear lenses, debadged, with more to come).

 

Hello and welcome to the board!

Straight from Acura:

MDX Recommended Fuel - Premium unleaded; 91 octane*
*Gasoline with an octane number lower than 91 may be used, with reduced performance.

IMHO, your friend is cheapskate. There are waiting lists for MDX's, and he wants to save a couple of cents by pumping regular? Surely the MDX deserves more respect...

 

You pay 40k for an MDX and you're gonna cheap out on the gas ?

 

Yeah, that's him. 40k for an MDX and regular unleaded every time. He even shops around on the gas. I always tell him, "Jay, you do realize that the driving around you do to find cheap gas is costing you money." And he'll respond with, "But its money I already spent." He's a piece of work. I guess he'll have to find out for himself on the gas issue. He does put in a tank of super once a month, though.

 

Funny story on this note....my friends little brother got fired from Mobil for yelling at a guy who was filling his 2001 M5 with 87 grade...how about 70 k for a car and saving 4 bucks at the pump...hehe

 

That guy should be shot, decapitated and shredding into soup for doing that to his M5. Its an M5 the Ultimate Sedan not just some dumpy machine you can do that to. JMHO
:wackit: BMW M5 :wackit:

 

Well, the MDX engine could possibly ping as a result of lower octane, and then you would know to switch to a higher octane.

But the engine will, nevertheless, produce less torque at lower octane.