Gas Type
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
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Gas Type
So wanted to see what type of gas people are putting into their 2019 RDX? Went to fill up mine this morning and saw the sticker saying 91 is recommended, but a minimum of 87. Does that mean 87 or above? I ended up filling it with 91, but wanted to see what others are filling it with.
TIA,
Cliyeh
TIA,
Cliyeh
Cruisin'
Joined: Jun 2018
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I've been using 91 for the first 3000 kms and the engine's always been peppy. Tonight I pumped 3/4 tank of 87 to see if I'd notice a difference and on the short drive home afterwards, it felt almost immediately sluggish. I'll see how the car drives over the next few days to see if my impressions were right.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2018
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Gas Tyoe
So wanted to see what type of gas people are putting into their 2019 RDX? Went to fill up mine this morning and saw the sticker saying 91 is recommended, but a minimum of 87. Does that mean 87 or above? I ended up filling it with 91, but wanted to see what others are filling it with.
TIA,
Cliyeh
TIA,
Cliyeh
Acura service mgrs recommended - good enough for ne.
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Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2014
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OP this topic has been discussed ad nauseam on this forum and is redundant as hell with all due respect. Fill it with whatever you want, 91 for better fuel economy and performance and 87 to save a few bucks a year on your premium vehicle.
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\thread.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 82
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In spite of the subtle digs about putting "premium gas in a premium vehicle", the bottom line is that 91 is recommended for optimal performance. It is not required like many other "premium" vehicles. Most European direct injected turbos require 91 Octane. My last three cars - MINI Cooper S, Mercedes GLA, and Audi TT RS all "require" 91 octane.
What that means is your RDX will run just fine with the 87 octane. I do agree 100% that you should use a top tier gasoline - more detergents and more consistent quality.
A good friend of mine is a senior manager for Nissan in Tennessee and he confirmed the comments above. Further, while you should get better performance and gas mileage with 91 octane, your mileage will not improve enough to make up the difference in price between the two grades.
Bottom line - your car, your call. You aren't going to hurt your car.
What that means is your RDX will run just fine with the 87 octane. I do agree 100% that you should use a top tier gasoline - more detergents and more consistent quality.
A good friend of mine is a senior manager for Nissan in Tennessee and he confirmed the comments above. Further, while you should get better performance and gas mileage with 91 octane, your mileage will not improve enough to make up the difference in price between the two grades.
Bottom line - your car, your call. You aren't going to hurt your car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
Not to beat a dead horse but here is real data (versus speculation/opinion) on regular versus premium when it's not required - only recommended.
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/12/don...s-worth-price/
For those that don't want to read the article and the linked references in it here's a summary of the pertinent conclusions. (Notice that some vehicles actually experienced a decrease in mileage/performance when using the recommended premium fuel.)
"drivers of vehicles that recommend, but do not require, premium gasoline are unlikely to see any benefit from using premium gasoline during typical city or highway driving"
...
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/12/don...s-worth-price/
For those that don't want to read the article and the linked references in it here's a summary of the pertinent conclusions. (Notice that some vehicles actually experienced a decrease in mileage/performance when using the recommended premium fuel.)
"drivers of vehicles that recommend, but do not require, premium gasoline are unlikely to see any benefit from using premium gasoline during typical city or highway driving"
...
"laboratory and on-road tests were performed to simulate extreme driving scenarios such as towing, hauling cargo and aggressive acceleration. When using premium fuel in these vehicles under these conditions, AAA tests found that:
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in fuel economy.
Test vehicles averaged a 2.7 percent improvement in fuel economy across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 1 percent (2016 Audi A3) to an improvement of 7.1 percent (2016 Cadillac Escalade).
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in performance.
Test vehicles averaged an increase in horsepower of 1.4 percent across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 0.3 percent (2016 Jeep Renegade) to an improvement of 3.2 percent (2017 Ford Mustang)."
My opinion is there is absolutely no way to justify paying 20% more for premium gas when the best I can hope to realize is a less than 3% improvement in mileage and less than 1.5% improvement in performance only under limited operating conditions - and no benefit at all otherwise.
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in fuel economy.
Test vehicles averaged a 2.7 percent improvement in fuel economy across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 1 percent (2016 Audi A3) to an improvement of 7.1 percent (2016 Cadillac Escalade).
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in performance.
Test vehicles averaged an increase in horsepower of 1.4 percent across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 0.3 percent (2016 Jeep Renegade) to an improvement of 3.2 percent (2017 Ford Mustang)."
My opinion is there is absolutely no way to justify paying 20% more for premium gas when the best I can hope to realize is a less than 3% improvement in mileage and less than 1.5% improvement in performance only under limited operating conditions - and no benefit at all otherwise.
Last edited by MI-RDX; Sep 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
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While I agree with much of the conclusions put forth in these threads, a couple posts over recent months mention the engine suddenly depowering under hard acceleration. While there were no conclusions regarding the cause, what if the engine was reacting to protect itself from detonation.....the last thing I would want is the engine shutting down while passing a train of semis on the highway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 768
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,532
Likes: 959
Not to beat a dead horse but here is real data (versus speculation/opinion) on regular versus premium when it's not required - only recommended.
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/12/don...s-worth-price/
For those that don't want to read the article and the linked references in it here's a summary of the pertinent conclusions. (Notice that some vehicles actually experienced a decrease in mileage/performance when using the recommended premium fuel.)
"drivers of vehicles that recommend, but do not require, premium gasoline are unlikely to see any benefit from using premium gasoline during typical city or highway driving"
...
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2017/12/don...s-worth-price/
For those that don't want to read the article and the linked references in it here's a summary of the pertinent conclusions. (Notice that some vehicles actually experienced a decrease in mileage/performance when using the recommended premium fuel.)
"drivers of vehicles that recommend, but do not require, premium gasoline are unlikely to see any benefit from using premium gasoline during typical city or highway driving"
...
"laboratory and on-road tests were performed to simulate extreme driving scenarios such as towing, hauling cargo and aggressive acceleration. When using premium fuel in these vehicles under these conditions, AAA tests found that:
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in fuel economy.
Test vehicles averaged a 2.7 percent improvement in fuel economy across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 1 percent (2016 Audi A3) to an improvement of 7.1 percent (2016 Cadillac Escalade).
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in performance.
Test vehicles averaged an increase in horsepower of 1.4 percent across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 0.3 percent (2016 Jeep Renegade) to an improvement of 3.2 percent (2017 Ford Mustang)."
My opinion is there is absolutely no way to justify paying 20% more for premium gas when the best I can hope to realize is a less than 3% improvement in mileage and less than 1.5% improvement in performance only under limited operating conditions - and no benefit at all otherwise.
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in fuel economy.
Test vehicles averaged a 2.7 percent improvement in fuel economy across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 1 percent (2016 Audi A3) to an improvement of 7.1 percent (2016 Cadillac Escalade).
- Most vehicles tested showed a modest improvement in performance.
Test vehicles averaged an increase in horsepower of 1.4 percent across AAA’s tests. Individual vehicle test result averages ranged from a decrease of 0.3 percent (2016 Jeep Renegade) to an improvement of 3.2 percent (2017 Ford Mustang)."
My opinion is there is absolutely no way to justify paying 20% more for premium gas when the best I can hope to realize is a less than 3% improvement in mileage and less than 1.5% improvement in performance only under limited operating conditions - and no benefit at all otherwise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
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From: Michigan
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
This same 2.0 has a regular gas recommendation in the Accord. So, IMO, the premium is recommended in the Acura so that the higher torque/HP numbers can be published. The Accord has 273 at 1500 torque and 252 at 6500 HP, while the RDX has 280 at 1600 and 272 at 6500. So the premium gas, IMO, moves the torque peak up 7 pounds and holds it better at higher revs.
To me, the difference is the premium gas recommendation.
To me, the difference is the premium gas recommendation.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 521
Likes: 190
This is very interesting and makes you wonder why they bother even suggesting premium when I know a lot of people who only buy Lincoln's because they ask for regular. I know that premium gas isn't inherently cleaner than regular and if you're filling from a top tier station, the regular should still be clean. So I'm wondering if it's to give the impression that a car is a premium vehicle. Sounds stupid to me too but it's possible no?
Drifting
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From: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 993
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From: Michigan
1MZ−FE engine
Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance,
the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or
higher is recommended.
Unleaded gasoline, Octane Rating 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance,
the use of premium unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or
higher is recommended.
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