Guest

Does premium gas have to be used on a 3.2 TL not S type. If so why?

PhiTL

Yes, if I remember correctly, the manual states that we should use 93 octane gasoline.

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'00 White Diamond Pearl w/Nav & VoN Kit
20% tint, WW Spoiler, Comptech Exaust, Rear Comptech Sway bar, H&R OE Sport Springs, AEM CAI, Inspire Tails, Inspire Interior footwell lighting

szk3x3

High octane fuel due to 10.1 to 1 Compression Ratio

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dagg

My memory says it was actually 91 Octane, but it is hard to find so most people end up with getting 93 octane..

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Acura3200

According to my Acura dealer, the optimal octane is 92. Anything more will burn too fast and actually make the car a tiny bit slower.

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Ed K

Don't believe him! Premium gas does not burn faster. You want gas to burn in a controlled fashion, not explode (detonation). If gas is too low octane for the engine design it burns too fast (detonates) and in mild form this is called pinging. Since the fuel is ignited by the spark plug on the compression stroke (spark advance) the piston is travelling up. If the fuel burns too fast it starts to ping and the temperature increases. This will eventually raise the temperature to the point where the fuel detonates (self ignites before the spark) causing tremendous heat and presure within the cylinder and can melt pistons, burn valves, break rings, damage wrist pins and rod bearings. The Acura 3.2 TL is protected against this to some extent by sensing the first hint of detonation and retarding the spark. This also reduces power. It never hurts to put too high octane gasoline in the car. If it's too high you're wasting money but you're safe. The higher octane controls the rate of burn and raises the self ignition temperature.

merlyn

Ed k...thanks for that explantion....it's a GREAT summary on what i was going to say...thx for saving me the time!

VTEC

It said this is my manual
Recommened fuel-Premiun unleaded;91 octane*
*gasoline with an octane # lower than 91 may be used,with reduced performance

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2000 3.2TL Firepepper red w/o nav
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Bosch 4+ platinum spark plug
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bdimc2001

Or what u could do is buy regular fuel, which is about 87 octane I believe in our area and buy some octance boosters for like $3-6 buck a pop. I used to do this for my Legend, to try to save some $$ on gas, money was tight, still is.

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2001 Acura 3.2TL w/ Navigation
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PhiTL

At $3-6 a pop, it doesn't seem like you are saving much money. In my area the difference between Regular and Premium may be $.20-.25. And at 15 gallons, the savings is $3-4 dollars, which is right around the cost of the octane booster. I don't see how this is saving you money?


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'00 White Diamond Pearl w/Nav & VoN Kit
20% tint, WW Spoiler, Comptech Exaust, Rear Comptech Sway bar, H&R OE Sport Springs, AEM CAI, Inspire Tails, Inspire Interior footwell lighting

Shoofin

I just spent $27 filling up 13.5 gallons..
Ed

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'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech Springs and Sways, CL Type S wheels wrapped with 225/45/17 Dunlop SP9000's, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, Gutter Guard Grille, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

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