Tomapapi

So The vehicle I purchased 2 weeks ago has been running on regular gas for the last 50K. Can I just switch to premium as is recommended and that's it, or should I do something else to ensure the motor runs at its best?

01tl4tl

add 1, 16oz can of seafoam to just under half tank -8 gallons gas
that will remove the built up crud for the most part

also do seafoam thru TB air plate and master vac port if comfortable working on the car.
If not- run a 2nd can of seafoam thru the next 1/2 tank then good for a year/15kmiles
that stuff is amazing and will restore like new performance
sold at parts stores and wallyworld

The Engine computer ECU will gradually relearn the car is back on the right gas and re-adjust timing back to normal--its been retarded to keep from pinging

do a forced ecu reset if desired by removing the CLOCK fuse on passenger end of dash- see small cover
iirc its number 13 but well marked
put back in after a minute
thats secret backup power to ecu --if you do the battery disconnect method instead.. be sure to know the radio and nav security codes!!

welcome to the forum--scroll down main list and have a look at other threads like `new member/owner`,,
those have the contact info to register with acura as owner -ck for any recalls and give them an address for future recall notes to be sent to

everyone: there is a new recall for many on the airbag inflator--acura 800 382 2238x5 or your dealer can run the cars VIN and tell if affected--its important to get done and FREE

01tl4tl

always run it on at least 91 octane,,93-94 if thats what is sold as premium in your area

dont skimp on the gas!
use tier1 brands--they have more cleaner in fuel--most name brand stations and now many off names are Tier 1--do internet search if not certain or no sign at station
chevron shell texaco 76 all qualify

totaledTL

I know this has been beaten to death- but I've used both 87 and premium (both so-called tier 1 and otherwise) for over 2 years now in my TL-s w/ no ill effects. Much longer when all vehicles I've had are considered. So I personally have no direct evidence of any detrimental effects.

Now before anybody attacks- this has just been MY experience. Nothing more, nothing less-

fsttyms1

Can i ask why when it costs maybe 2-3 dollars more to fill the tank? I know with mine the difference with regular MPG and Premium MPG is Larger making Premium cheaper to run. (not to mention the car runs more efficient and better with the 91+
(and be fore any one says they fill up a lot I fill up or top off almost every single day)

I hate cars

Agreed. I always tell people to be glad their vehicle requires premium. If it's tuned for premium, the additional gas mileage will more than make up for the extra cost of the fuel and you get more power too.

If the car does not require it and there is no knock retard going on with regular, you won't benefit from it. If premium fuel allows full timing to be put back in, you will benefit.

In no case will running premium in an engine designed for regular hurt anything but your wallet. Run regular in a premium only car and over time there will be consequences other than a dip in fuel economy and power.

MIKE8898

Higher end cars require higher octane fuel because they run higher compression ratios. Lower octane fuel would ignite from the compression itself and therefore the cylinder would fire too early. This is why lower octane fuel is less efficient. You are not getting the full power from each stroke when you run lower octane fuel. 93 octane in the highest around my area and that is high enough to ensure that the fuel will not ignite until the spark plug fires and therefore it will get full power out of the stroke.

Aman

Not entirely true. You notice a loss in economy/power because the engine has to retard timing to avoid knock, which is what you're describing.

Tomapapi

Thanks guys. I will do as you recommend with the gas. I'm going to Walmart now to buy the seafoam. I don't feel comfortable putting the seafoam anywhere else, but I'll try to find someone to help me. I'll let you know how it goes. Question, should I fill the tank after I add the seafoam, or let the gas run down to empty?

I hate cars

In a round about way, you're right. Detonation by itself causes a power loss. Couple this with the retarded timing when the ECU detects the detonation and you're really screwing yourself with the low octane.

01tl4tl

throw one can of seafoam in just under half a tank = 8 gallons (full is 17.3 gal)

run it down to the low fuel warning light- which comes on at 3 gal remaining in tank
refill to full as normal--NEVER overfill the TL!!! first click of pump
when down to just under half, add 2nd can of seafoam

still need to manually clean the TB air plate--seafoam cant reach that!
carb cleaner works fine

note some states now removing the pump lock and make you stand there,,so when it stops the first time-look at gallons pumped -if its right- you are done

01tl4tl

you cannot say running 87 in an engine actually tuned for 93 has no ill effects unless you have driven with the code reading giving full details of engine, timing etc

and pulled the engine apart or used a boroscope to inspect valves and pistons
thats where the truth lay,,remove a few spark plugs and examine

while it may be ~ok~,,its like running gas where you need diesel/jet fuel
yes it will run but at reduced performance

as others say- the few dollars per tank,,sell the TL if its that big an issue to you.
91 or better like the gas cap says!!
94 max,,no 100 octane avgas in the TL please..unless sc or turbo'd,
more octane wont help our normally aspirated car,, past 94 octane

one tank of good gas isnt going to remove all the crud from preignition
I would use redline or seafoam in half tank and get on the good gas now

mvpel

Not only do I use premium only - and always have since February of 2000 - on May 7, 2009 I gave up using no-name premium and switched to Mobil. Check out what it did for my gas mileage:

12/10/2008 27.5
12/13/2008 23.9
01/20/2009 26.9
02/18/2009 23.5
03/06/2009 26.2 - 100% highway
03/10/2009 25.5
05/07/2009 30.5 - First tank of Mobil 93 - 100% highway
05/11/2009 30.9
05/18/2009 31.6

I'm getting better highway mileage in my nearly 11-year-old TL than some brand new "economy" cars advertise. Sweet, huh?

Tomapapi

Any brand of carb cleaner then...?

01tl4tl

any carb cleaner or TB cleaner is fine to spray the round air plate inside the TB throat

make sure to open throttle to get back and edges of the plate good too

wipe up runoff

totaledTL

I never said it was an issue, whatsoever. Just relating MY experience... & I do not intend to sell my TL, I like it too much!

01tl4tl

then take proper care of it~

do the math on the extra mpg vs the extra 20 cents a gallon for 91 over 87 (thats what it is at my preferred stations)

You will be surprised at how the correct fuel-- on a clean system, will work

others should remember spark plugs dont really last till 105--after 60-70 is good to change them

thelastaspec

I'm slightly guilty of filling past the click...
It's not that hot here so i guess i've been getting away with it not expanding...

totaledTL

The last time I compared, there was NO difference in mileage.

dykyy

^ Big difference, check again!

MI99TL

Thank you so much for your expertise. I'm getting my 2 cans of seamfoam tomorrow am and starting the cleaning process.

01tl4tl

you cant tell on one tank of gas compare 87 to 91

first you have to get rid of all the crud buildup from preignition--incomplete combustion.
THEN with the car running right,, and on good gas,,plugs in good condition..
the mpg goes up

If YOU want to run 87 thats your choice--just asking you to avoid statements that its fine for everyone
Its not

totaledTL

If you are referring to me (post #19 )- it was more than that.

Again- if you are referring to me (post #4)- reread it. I never made any statement such as that.

Bigdogs

Awesome thread!

This causes me to wonder...

I just bought an '01 with 64K in immaculate condition, all around. The previous owner obviously took excellent care of the car and I'm guessing they ran on premium but you never know.

It came with 1/4 tank and I filled with 89 octane, simply because I was way out in the sticks and the only place around was some Bill & Ted station that only offered 86 and 89.

So, I want to do the Seafoam and spark plugs but I'd like to get a read on a pre & post service. I plan on filling up 2 more times on 89 to get a 3 tank average MPG. Then I'll switch to 91 for 3 more tanks to get another reading and then do the service and get a final 3 tank average.

Might anyone suggest a better method?

Bigdogs

Also,

I forgot to mention / ask.

I'd love to know if my car is in fact retarding due to the low octane or needing to be Seafoamed. Is there a way of finding this out? My neighbor has a code scanner. Might there be a way of using this to see if there is an actual difference from before to after?

01tl4tl

your gas mileage will be the tell

dont bother with 89,,the car is actually tuned for 93 octane as thats the highest avail in usa, and it will run on 91 MINIMUM
go lower and it has to modify its program to make the car run~

seafoam it,,plugs if more than 60-70 kmiles on them, and enjoy the benefits

if you have a live reading scanner you can drive with it and see things are different readings

01tl4tl

a pre and post ck would be use a boroscope camera to look inside at the piston tops and valves

there are utube vids with that type camera, of cleaner in action--black carbon stuff liquifies and slides and flakes off..leaves clean surface with intended airflow pattern restored
iirc it uses wynns brand but idea is same as seafoam

fsttyms1

Honestly why bother. The price difference between 89 and 91???? Just stick with what the manufacturer recommends.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

This really gets on my nerves.

01tl4tl

have to go back to old school method of stick jammed in handle

fsttyms1

I once used a soda can to do that

dannyellis2003

I just throw the gas cap under it, works well and I sit in my car as if fills as its cold here now.

01tl4tl

make sure to wear nylon pants and slide around as you get in and out of the car
That creates the third part of the Fire Triangle

Gfaze

I tried that but the cap keeps popping off the handle.

Bigdogs

I keep a Mason jar full of nitric acid in my trunk especialy for this purpose as It fits perfectly between the guard and handle.

It allows me to sit in my car and rock out to my favorite song by the talking heads!