Regular or premium
#281
Instructor
An acquaintance knows a petroleum engineer with Shell. He (the engineer) said that although Shell is a top tier fuel, their premium (V-power) has several more additives than the regular and mid-grade (same with other majors, like Chevron, etc) and for those additives, alone, he would run premium in our RDX's as it will keep the engine performing at peak. Makes sense to me, considering what we pay for these vehicles....., so I think I'll just run the premium. Not worth it to save a few bucks. I think it's a peace of mind thing, too. I have no skin in this game, though, and understand that it is a personal preference.
JMHO.
JMHO.
#282
An acquaintance knows a petroleum engineer with Shell. He (the engineer) said that although Shell is a top tier fuel, their premium (V-power) has several more additives than the regular and mid-grade (same with other majors, like Chevron, etc) and for those additives, alone, he would run premium in our RDX's as it will keep the engine performing at peak. Makes sense to me, considering what we pay for these vehicles....., so I think I'll just run the premium. Not worth it to save a few bucks. I think it's a peace of mind thing, too. I have no skin in this game, though, and understand that it is a personal preference.
JMHO.
JMHO.
I can't recall the last time I saw an ad that claimed premium had more additives to keep your car engine clean - you would think if it was really still true that the gas companies would market it.
I have ran cheap gas in many cars - not top tier - and never had a problem -
Upgrading to Top Tier gives you the additive package that will keep your engine clean - even with lower octane.
I am more curious about it that trying to save a few $ - I keep wondering if the RDX engine is really just the exact same engine - tunes the same - as what is used in the Honda Accord - and that they RECOMMEND premium to make the owner feel special.
#283
Instructor
I have read this before - it use to be totally true - Google Tiger in the Tank TV add - I remember those ads! (shows my age!)
I can't recall the last time I saw an ad that claimed premium had more additives to keep your car engine clean - you would think if it was really still true that the gas companies would market it. - Shell has placards out pumping up their V-Power premium; however, I don't really see any ads touting the gas anymore...more like research and 'save the world/environment' stuff for corporate image.
I have ran cheap gas in many cars - not top tier - and never had a problem - I've heard others say this about their cars. My last Audi ran horribly on anything but top-tier premium. My '99 Harley has a screaming eagle racing kit. There is is noticeable difference there, even more so. I'm sure a lot of it is the performance tuning as friends have said the same...again, much more noticeable on high output motorcycle engines.
Upgrading to Top Tier gives you the additive package that will keep your engine clean - even with lower octane. - True; however, 'if' the engine has any performance tuning, IMHO, there is a difference.
I am more curious about it that trying to save a few $ - I keep wondering if the RDX engine is really just the exact same engine - tunes the same - as what is used in the Honda Accord - and that they RECOMMEND premium to make the owner feel special. -Good question....is the RDX engine tuned differently than the Honda one? Is the premium recommendation just associated with the fact that we are driving a 'premium' automobile and that is the image they want to portray? Money is not the issue with me, either (at least not in the small amounts that we are speaking of, here)
I can't recall the last time I saw an ad that claimed premium had more additives to keep your car engine clean - you would think if it was really still true that the gas companies would market it. - Shell has placards out pumping up their V-Power premium; however, I don't really see any ads touting the gas anymore...more like research and 'save the world/environment' stuff for corporate image.
I have ran cheap gas in many cars - not top tier - and never had a problem - I've heard others say this about their cars. My last Audi ran horribly on anything but top-tier premium. My '99 Harley has a screaming eagle racing kit. There is is noticeable difference there, even more so. I'm sure a lot of it is the performance tuning as friends have said the same...again, much more noticeable on high output motorcycle engines.
Upgrading to Top Tier gives you the additive package that will keep your engine clean - even with lower octane. - True; however, 'if' the engine has any performance tuning, IMHO, there is a difference.
I am more curious about it that trying to save a few $ - I keep wondering if the RDX engine is really just the exact same engine - tunes the same - as what is used in the Honda Accord - and that they RECOMMEND premium to make the owner feel special. -Good question....is the RDX engine tuned differently than the Honda one? Is the premium recommendation just associated with the fact that we are driving a 'premium' automobile and that is the image they want to portray? Money is not the issue with me, either (at least not in the small amounts that we are speaking of, here)
#285
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by dirleton
I would not be surprised if the average dealer filled their RDXs up with regular prior to delivery. Not surprised at all.
#287
Senior Moderator
#288
Instructor
#289
Inveterate Tinkerer
Good Read About Premium vs Regular Fuel
It won't end the debate but it's an interesting read: Why You Might Not Actually Need Premium Gas - Consumer Reports
#290
Yes, it is about the tuning of the engine and preventing pinging or detonation. It's also about the emissions the engine generates with a given tune. CAFE standards and emissions regulations are driving the auto industry anymore.
#291
My younger brother's Toyota Tacoma pickup (4 cyl) had 292,000 miles on it and he never used anything other than off-brand, cheap gas. He never had a fuel-related issue. Fifth gear synchronizer went out and it would cost more to fix the transmission than the truck was worth. He sold the truck and the guy took the engine out to use in another vehicle. The new engine owner is now using it and uses off-brand cheap gas. Does top tier gas make a difference? Perhaps. Will your engine last without it? I believe so.
#292
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
My younger brother's Toyota Tacoma pickup (4 cyl) had 292,000 miles on it and he never used anything other than off-brand, cheap gas. He never had a fuel-related issue. Fifth gear synchronizer went out and it would cost more to fix the transmission than the truck was worth. He sold the truck and the guy took the engine out to use in another vehicle. The new engine owner is now using it and uses off-brand cheap gas. Does top tier gas make a difference? Perhaps. Will your engine last without it? I believe so.
#293
Senior Moderator
#294
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
I think what snorf is saying, remove piece of shit Honda engine, replace with Toyota Tacoma engine. Problem solved.
#295
What snorf is saying is that regardless of the type of gasoline used in an engine the engine will last. BTW Majofo, that pic you posted looks a lot like my brother. If you put some hospital scrubs on the pic it'd be a dead (not a doctor joke) ringer.
#296
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#297
Moderator
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Yeah, but in full disclosure... Toyota pretty much designed that Taco engine to run on chocolate milk.
It's pretty over designed and under stressed.
It's pretty over designed and under stressed.
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TacoBello (02-01-2017)
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TacoBello (02-01-2017)
#299
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Oh, I thought he was just snorfing
#300
IX Fuel
I have a 2016 IX A spec the dealer told me to use Shell only PLUS the manual states to use premium but the dealer said they put Plus 89 in all the cars. my question is my DCT is a dog and I tried to sell it back to the dealer I think it's a true lemon well I still have it and not happy with the car. so since it runs like crap anyway will Shell regular be ok to use? I have always used shell gas in all my cars never cheap gas. I would not mind spending the extra money on the gas but I dont think this car is worth it.
#301
Intermediate
I have a 2016 IX A spec the dealer told me to use Shell only PLUS the manual states to use premium but the dealer said they put Plus 89 in all the cars. my question is my DCT is a dog and I tried to sell it back to the dealer I think it's a true lemon well I still have it and not happy with the car. so since it runs like crap anyway will Shell regular be ok to use? I have always used shell gas in all my cars never cheap gas. I would not mind spending the extra money on the gas but I dont think this car is worth it.
#302
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Acuras are pieces of shit undeserved of premium fuels
#303
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
You'll just look like an asshole putting premium in it when your Honda counterparts are putting regular
#304
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
#305
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
No one contested that..
Okay being serious.. love octane threads almost as much as I love oil threads.
Use whatever octane or brand you want, just don't whine about it
or try to flash your master tech certificate from the internet here..
Okay being serious.. love octane threads almost as much as I love oil threads.
Use whatever octane or brand you want, just don't whine about it
or try to flash your master tech certificate from the internet here..
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TacoBello (06-19-2017)
#306
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
...and don't complain when you run Regular in a car designed for Premium and you end up with poor performance and/or engine damage.
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viperkorn (06-19-2017)
#307
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Seriously though, there are a few instances where the same engine (we're talking same J series with the same heads) are recommended Premium for the Acura brand and Regular for the Honda brand. I just gave up.. just like Honda / Acura gave up years ago.
Truthfully, unless it's a bad tank of gas or a couple of bad fill-ups. Octane issues won't manifest until many miles down the road.. usually it's someone else's problem by then. Especially with some of the internet experts here giving advice on a leased vehicle. Usually the first manifestation is clogged cats. I can attest that 200k miles on the X (I just changed the wideband o2 sensors on her), that the monoliths are clear (only fed premium her whole life). It did need a valve adjustment around 150k, but it ran rich only for a couple weeks before I adjusted the valves (tight exhaust valves).
#309
Latent car nut
iTrader: (2)
Seriously though, there are a few instances where the same engine (we're talking same J series with the same heads) are recommended Premium for the Acura brand and Regular for the Honda brand. I just gave up.. just like Honda / Acura gave up years ago.
Truthfully, unless it's a bad tank of gas or a couple of bad fill-ups. Octane issues won't manifest until many miles down the road.. usually it's someone else's problem by then. Especially with some of the internet experts here giving advice on a leased vehicle. Usually the first manifestation is clogged cats. I can attest that 200k miles on the X (I just changed the wideband o2 sensors on her), that the monoliths are clear (only fed premium her whole life). It did need a valve adjustment around 150k, but it ran rich only for a couple weeks before I adjusted the valves (tight exhaust valves).
Did I miss anything?
#310
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
The +15 TLX has the J35Y6
So does the +16 Honda Pilot
TLX manual says +91 Octane
Pilot manual says +87 Octane
The TLX has +10 hp and +5 tq
It's bc it's adjusting timing for the lower octane
and throwing unburnt fuel onto the cats
losing power, fuel efficiency, and possibly damaging the cats and engine
So does the +16 Honda Pilot
TLX manual says +91 Octane
Pilot manual says +87 Octane
The TLX has +10 hp and +5 tq
It's bc it's adjusting timing for the lower octane
and throwing unburnt fuel onto the cats
losing power, fuel efficiency, and possibly damaging the cats and engine
#311
Inveterate Tinkerer
Adding to a gas thread, YAY! Ok, not so much but Jalopnik has posted a fuel related article related to money saved by using regular over premium....or not. Interesting reading.
Here's the link.
Unfortunately the article doesn't solve the premium fuel "recommended" vs "required" question.
Cheers!
Here's the link.
Unfortunately the article doesn't solve the premium fuel "recommended" vs "required" question.
Cheers!
#312
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
That's a lot better article than most of the bullshit that's been written by others.. It's like I said.. it's a downward slope. You probably won't notice ill effects early, but the unburnt gas being spit down the pipe and the knock all have an effect. A knock sensor pulls timing when?!?!?!?!?!? the engine experiences knock.. very good class. Knock can damage ringlands, head gasket, piston / head surfaces. Knock can also shock the rod bearings and lead to premature bearing failure. All of this is tear down shit.
Pulling timing throws unburnt fuel down the pipe which can ignite in the cats and lead to breakage in the monoliths.. this is a domino effect.. any disturbance in the flow of the cat becomes a hot spot which leads to more damage in that area and can eventually clog the cat. This can foul your wideband a/f and o2 sensors, create excessive backpressure which can be damanging and cause rough idle / stalling. It'll definitely drop your fuel efficiency. Cats aren't cheap either. All that being said.. it's not worth the few bucks.. unless you're leasing it and don't give a damn about it.. or the planet.
Pulling timing throws unburnt fuel down the pipe which can ignite in the cats and lead to breakage in the monoliths.. this is a domino effect.. any disturbance in the flow of the cat becomes a hot spot which leads to more damage in that area and can eventually clog the cat. This can foul your wideband a/f and o2 sensors, create excessive backpressure which can be damanging and cause rough idle / stalling. It'll definitely drop your fuel efficiency. Cats aren't cheap either. All that being said.. it's not worth the few bucks.. unless you're leasing it and don't give a damn about it.. or the planet.
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Sohan24 (01-16-2018)
#313
I have about 1000 miles on the rdx with 87 octane. Dealership that sold me my rdx pretty much told me regular is fine. I tried premium for 1 tank just to see if there was any difference. Power was the same and mileage was about the same too. My salesman drives a tlx and uses regular from Costco. No problem at all.
-cW
-cW
#314
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Octane threads..
#315
Instructor
I just did a one-day trip yesterday from Little, AR to Nashville, TN. It was about 750miles. It averaged around 24.5 at 75-80mph speed. I filled it with premium plus 93 at Sam's club before the trip, then added premium 89 on the road. I did not feel any difference in terms of power. Anyway, love the ACC, LKAS and cooling seat in Advance. It made my summer long day travel more comfortable than before.
#317
Drifting
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I think I lost a few IQ points just reading the last page of this thread.
Average price difference between regular and premium = 25¢
10K miles per year @ 25mpg = 400 Gallons, x 25¢ = $100 per year difference
15K miles per year @ 25mpg = 600 Gallons, x 25¢ = $150 per year difference
$10000 - $30000 car. Arguing over spending an extra $100-$150 per year? Dafuq?
Seriously, if there even a remote chance, even 10%, that premium is better in any way (performance, engine longevity, fuel mileage, makes the paint last longer, ass feels better on long trips), there's really no good reason not to use it. This is the exact reason arguing over synthetic vs. conventional oil is DAF. You're looking at about $50 a year difference (if you do it yourself) for the chance it would be better. I'll take that chance.
Average price difference between regular and premium = 25¢
10K miles per year @ 25mpg = 400 Gallons, x 25¢ = $100 per year difference
15K miles per year @ 25mpg = 600 Gallons, x 25¢ = $150 per year difference
$10000 - $30000 car. Arguing over spending an extra $100-$150 per year? Dafuq?
Seriously, if there even a remote chance, even 10%, that premium is better in any way (performance, engine longevity, fuel mileage, makes the paint last longer, ass feels better on long trips), there's really no good reason not to use it. This is the exact reason arguing over synthetic vs. conventional oil is DAF. You're looking at about $50 a year difference (if you do it yourself) for the chance it would be better. I'll take that chance.
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jcross1231 (07-13-2017)
#318
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Easy way to tell what octane to use. Go to this link and see if your car marque is listed:
https://www.edmunds.com/luxury/
If yes, use premium. If no, use, I don't know, whatever the hell poor people use.
https://www.edmunds.com/luxury/
If yes, use premium. If no, use, I don't know, whatever the hell poor people use.
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Majofo (07-10-2017)
#319
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Easy way to tell what octane to use. Go to this link and see if your car marque is listed:
https://www.edmunds.com/luxury/
If yes, use premium. If no, use, I don't know, whatever the hell poor people use.
https://www.edmunds.com/luxury/
If yes, use premium. If no, use, I don't know, whatever the hell poor people use.
Kia and Hyundai
/thread
#320
Three Wheelin'
It won't end the debate but it's an interesting read: Why You Might Not Actually Need Premium Gas - Consumer Reports
Recommended fuel:
Accord - Regular
RDX - Premium
Go figure!
My neighbour with a 2003 Acura TL S (V6 6 speed) has run over 200,000 kilometers on nothing but regular.
Last edited by Tech; 07-10-2017 at 04:58 PM.