Request for those that put REGULAR gas in your RDX (gasp!)
07-26-2019, 11:13 AM
#161
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The RDX claims 272 HP and 280 lb-ft and recommends premium, so I can assume that number is based on premium.
The Accord claims 252 HP and 273 lb-ft and recommends regular, so I can assume that number is based on regular.
The two cars share the same engine and transmission.
The Accord claims 252 HP and 273 lb-ft and recommends regular, so I can assume that number is based on regular.
The two cars share the same engine and transmission.
07-26-2019, 11:23 AM
#162
The RDX claims 272 HP and 280 lb-ft and recommends premium, so I can assume that number is based on premium.
The Accord claims 252 HP and 273 lb-ft and recommends regular, so I can assume that number is based on regular.
The two cars share the same engine and transmission.
The Accord claims 252 HP and 273 lb-ft and recommends regular, so I can assume that number is based on regular.
The two cars share the same engine and transmission.
https://www.sae.org/news/2018/07/201...t-chassis-tech
You likely lose more maximum power by running regular in an RDX than you'll gain by running premium in an Accord.
The Accord won't make 272 HP on premium nor will the RDX make 252 on regular.
Last edited by zroger73; 07-26-2019 at 11:28 AM.
07-26-2019, 12:42 PM
#163
Instead of just linking articles and talking about butt dyno, I want to prove or disprove my experience with data. It will be nice to make log of the engine compression between the two type of gas. I saw someone posted the engine compression in earlier thread but no follow up after that.
07-26-2019, 12:47 PM
#164
There is a chance that I am wrong about the gas in the loaner. But I cannot deny the change in the car dynamic, I drove one after another. I'm sure the dealer is not the one putting gas in loaner, since you have to return the car with full tank of gas. Consider the town the dealer is at, I am going to guess that most of the client that goes there will just put in the premium and not think too much about it at the full service gas station 1/4 miles away.
Instead of just linking articles and talking about butt dyno, I want to prove or disprove my experience with data. It will be nice to make log of the engine compression between the two type of gas. I saw someone posted the engine compression in earlier thread but no follow up after that.
Instead of just linking articles and talking about butt dyno, I want to prove or disprove my experience with data. It will be nice to make log of the engine compression between the two type of gas. I saw someone posted the engine compression in earlier thread but no follow up after that.
I assume it may be similar with the RDX. You may have gotten a car that had its ECU reset recently, or the car was just handled by people who don't mash on the pedal all the time. This is just all speculation.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 07-26-2019 at 12:54 PM.
07-26-2019, 12:50 PM
#165
With my Infiniti, the car automatically adjusts the gas pedal input to engine response. For example, if you're a lead foot all the time, the car will automatically dampen the engine response when you press the accelerator pedal. Once you reset the ECU again, the car feels a lot more responsive and sensitive, and the slightest touch to the pedal makes the car accelerate much quicker.
I assume it may be similar with the RDX. You may have gotten a car that had its ECU reset, or the car was just handled by people who don't mash on the pedal all the time.
I assume it may be similar with the RDX. You may have gotten a car that had its ECU reset, or the car was just handled by people who don't mash on the pedal all the time.
07-26-2019, 12:58 PM
#166
07-28-2019, 05:41 PM
#167
So here is my experience with the regular and premium gas debate... Just my observation.
I been filling up my RDX with regular at least 95% of the time for the last ~20,000 miles. Had to take car into dealer for warranty work and got a loaner RDX with premium gas. Driving between two cars around the same time and road, I can tell that the premium gas loaner response better with more low rpm torque.
I felt my regular gas RDX has to works harder to get the power I expected from the RDX, I have to constantly rev up the engine to get to the power I need either by switching to "S" to keep rpm up or floor it more often. Also as I observed the turbo gauge, it seems boost comes in slower.
I got my RDX to have low on the tank and put in premium and instantly the car feels more responsive like the loaner.
I don't think you get more MAX power between regular and premium, once the power kick in there should be minimal difference. The power comes in sooner with premium and at lower rpm with premium gas. Since I don't have to rev the engine up so much, I observed 2 mpg improvement. For my kind of driving, the overall cost should balance out and I get a more responsive car.
Again it's just my observation. You can try playing around with it for anyone interested.
I been filling up my RDX with regular at least 95% of the time for the last ~20,000 miles. Had to take car into dealer for warranty work and got a loaner RDX with premium gas. Driving between two cars around the same time and road, I can tell that the premium gas loaner response better with more low rpm torque.
I felt my regular gas RDX has to works harder to get the power I expected from the RDX, I have to constantly rev up the engine to get to the power I need either by switching to "S" to keep rpm up or floor it more often. Also as I observed the turbo gauge, it seems boost comes in slower.
I got my RDX to have low on the tank and put in premium and instantly the car feels more responsive like the loaner.
I don't think you get more MAX power between regular and premium, once the power kick in there should be minimal difference. The power comes in sooner with premium and at lower rpm with premium gas. Since I don't have to rev the engine up so much, I observed 2 mpg improvement. For my kind of driving, the overall cost should balance out and I get a more responsive car.
Again it's just my observation. You can try playing around with it for anyone interested.
07-28-2019, 06:50 PM
#168
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I am confident that using premium provides better performance and economy. Whether the small gain premium gives is worth the extra money it costs is an individual decision.
As an aside, my wife just bought two tickets to Hamilton and that will surely cover the difference in putting premium in my car for at least 5 years.
As an aside, my wife just bought two tickets to Hamilton and that will surely cover the difference in putting premium in my car for at least 5 years.
07-29-2019, 04:28 AM
#169
Instructor
Yeah, I'm thinking that way too. No way dealers will spend the extra money to put premium gas in their cars. They're in it to make money, not to lose money. I bet the customers who return the loaners put regular gas in the car too. They're not going to pay extra for the premium especially if it isn't their own car.
I put regular gas in the Infiniti loaners which the manufacturer specified Premium gas only.
I put regular gas in the Infiniti loaners which the manufacturer specified Premium gas only.
I use only Shell or Mobile1 top tier gas in my RDX. Shell has only 93 octane in my area. Mobile1 just came out with “ 2X extreme cleaning” fuel. That’s what they advertised with lots of addictive I guess. I have yet to find out what’s in it.
On my recent 200+ miles trips and with the RDX had over 4500 miles I averaged around 26.7 MPG. The drive mode was in Sport and I am doing 75+ MPH. I am happy so far but not expecting 35 MPG liken our the 2014 Accord Sport.
07-29-2019, 05:02 AM
#170
Null and proud of it
My Acura dealer uses 87 in all loaners. I was personally told this by the service guy. Also when I bought my RDX, they took me to their gas pumps in the back and proceeded to fill my RDX with 87. This was the only time I have had 87 in my car. From then on I have used 93.
Isplit my bets.
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Ih8honda (06-01-2021)
07-29-2019, 07:17 PM
#172
Yeah, I'm thinking that way too. No way dealers will spend the extra money to put premium gas in their cars. They're in it to make money, not to lose money. I bet the customers who return the loaners put regular gas in the car too. They're not going to pay extra for the premium especially if it isn't their own car.
I put regular gas in the Infiniti loaners which the manufacturer specified Premium gas only.
I put regular gas in the Infiniti loaners which the manufacturer specified Premium gas only.
07-29-2019, 07:55 PM
#173
Honestly though, the engine is able to take 87 grade gasoline with no damage whatsoever. The manual states that 87 is minimum required and that 91 is recommended. It’s kind of dumb to freak out over 87 when the manual never states engine damage would occur when 87 is in it.
Even the Infiniti manual states that 91 is required, but 87 can be used if 91 isn’t available but states to put 91 as soon as possible afterwards to prevent engine knocking. The compression ratio in the Infiniti is much higher than the RDX.
I wouldn’t worry about putting 87 in the RDX engine at all. The compression ratio isn’t high enough to require premium.
Even the Infiniti manual states that 91 is required, but 87 can be used if 91 isn’t available but states to put 91 as soon as possible afterwards to prevent engine knocking. The compression ratio in the Infiniti is much higher than the RDX.
I wouldn’t worry about putting 87 in the RDX engine at all. The compression ratio isn’t high enough to require premium.
07-30-2019, 03:26 PM
#175
Honestly though, the engine is able to take 87 grade gasoline with no damage whatsoever. The manual states that 87 is minimum required and that 91 is recommended. It’s kind of dumb to freak out over 87 when the manual never states engine damage would occur when 87 is in it.
Even the Infiniti manual states that 91 is required, but 87 can be used if 91 isn’t available but states to put 91 as soon as possible afterwards to prevent engine knocking. The compression ratio in the Infiniti is much higher than the RDX.
I wouldn’t worry about putting 87 in the RDX engine at all. The compression ratio isn’t high enough to require premium.
Even the Infiniti manual states that 91 is required, but 87 can be used if 91 isn’t available but states to put 91 as soon as possible afterwards to prevent engine knocking. The compression ratio in the Infiniti is much higher than the RDX.
I wouldn’t worry about putting 87 in the RDX engine at all. The compression ratio isn’t high enough to require premium.
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Ih8honda (06-01-2021)
07-30-2019, 04:23 PM
#176
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The car is tuned for 91. That it can be made to tone itself down for 87 is not a great recommendation for most of us to do so, IMO. I ran a few thousand miles on premium, then a few thousand miles on regular, and went back to premium because it just felt like it drove better that way.
YMMV
YMMV
08-01-2019, 02:57 PM
#178
I did a calculation based on my average miles driven per year, my average miles per gallon with premium, and the average difference in cost per gallon between premium and regular. It came to about $250 more per year for premium gas for my situation. If the miles per gallon is more with premium than regular, the difference in cost would be less than that. I guess it is up to the individual to determine if that is significant compared to the total cost of ownership of the vehicle or is not and what is the downside to the vehicle over the years with using.regular if there is a downside. I just do the math, I'm not an automotive engineer. As a footnote, I always use Top Tier gasoline except for when I am on a road trip and a station with that blend is not in the vicinity.
08-07-2019, 12:34 PM
#179
i use low grade. feels no different. the ecu adapts to everything and compensates. bit the engine and tuning of the car are designed to be able to handle regular and high octane.
08-16-2019, 05:43 PM
#180
It would be interesting to see this test done on the 2.0L Accord and RDX. Looks like with other manufacturers even if premium is recommended you don't really have much of an impact on MPG. It's mostly a performance change.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...dodge-charger/
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...dodge-charger/
08-17-2019, 12:23 PM
#181
Advanced
The car is tuned for 91. That it can be made to tone itself down for 87 is not a great recommendation for most of us to do so, IMO. I ran a few thousand miles on premium, then a few thousand miles on regular, and went back to premium because it just felt like it drove better that way.
YMMV
YMMV
08-19-2019, 11:25 AM
#183
I would argue that with the exception of Type S and NSX, Acuras are not performance cars. Infiniti is more performance sport luxury than Acura. Lexus is just pure luxury. Acura is somewhere in the middle with no clear identity.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 08-19-2019 at 11:31 AM.
08-19-2019, 11:27 AM
#184
08-19-2019, 04:46 PM
#186
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14K miles at 22.5 mpg = 622 gallons. At about 40¢ difference per gallon is $248 per year or $21/month.
For some, it is no big deal, for others, it is. YMMV.
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blexann (08-19-2019)
08-19-2019, 05:04 PM
#187
I just finished my first year, and did some math. The total additional dollars came to about $248 for the year, viz
14K miles at 22.5 mpg = 622 gallons. At about 40¢ difference per gallon is $248 per year or $21/month.
For some, it is no big deal, for others, it is. YMMV.
14K miles at 22.5 mpg = 622 gallons. At about 40¢ difference per gallon is $248 per year or $21/month.
For some, it is no big deal, for others, it is. YMMV.
08-19-2019, 05:09 PM
#188
I just finished my first year, and did some math. The total additional dollars came to about $248 for the year, viz
14K miles at 22.5 mpg = 622 gallons. At about 40¢ difference per gallon is $248 per year or $21/month.
For some, it is no big deal, for others, it is. YMMV.
14K miles at 22.5 mpg = 622 gallons. At about 40¢ difference per gallon is $248 per year or $21/month.
For some, it is no big deal, for others, it is. YMMV.
08-19-2019, 05:26 PM
#189
Agreed. In NJ, it's about 50 cents per gallon in difference between regular and premium at Costco. I fill my car up about every week and it takes about 13 gallons, $6.50 per week difference x 52 weeks in a year would be around $338. In ten years it would be $3400. To me that's pretty significant especially if regular gasoline doesn't damage the powertrain.
08-19-2019, 05:29 PM
#190
You're telling me I could get a hot dog and soda every other day in February if I skipped premium?! Sign me up!!! I know where I'm going for Valentines day!!!
08-19-2019, 06:17 PM
#191
08-19-2019, 06:25 PM
#192
08-19-2019, 06:39 PM
#193
08-19-2019, 10:43 PM
#195
Yeah if there is no mpg hit and you don't notice the performance improvement it seems like a no brainer. Even if it was damaging the engine, you're paying $3400 to protect a 10 year old engine in advance from 87 gas and only 87 gas. There are so many other things that can go wrong. You're covered for 6 years on the powertrain anyways even if you used 87, so you already spent ~$2000 extra for gas over 6 years when your warranty would have covered engine damage anyways. Seems like a waste. Might as well buy the extended Acuracare warranty and get actual peace of mind for that $2000 instead of feeling like you're protecting your engine with premium.
09-06-2019, 11:51 AM
#196
Subjective Experience
I'm pretty sure this is all in my mind. Bought I pumped gas for the first time for my car. I pumped 91 from Costco, and felt the car drove better. I noticed there was less of a lag when I accelerated. I was thinking of using 87 based on this thread. But, I figured if I wanted reduced HP and frugality, I would of bought the CRV.
Though I'm assuming dealer filled my car with 87 when I bought the car.
Though I'm assuming dealer filled my car with 87 when I bought the car.
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zroger73 (01-31-2020)
02-01-2020, 07:58 AM
#200
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I love Gas Buddy. But it shows a 50¢ difference in price per gallon for regular within only a few miles of my location.
It always surprises me how wide the price range is for the same grade of gas within short distances.
Last edited by Madd Dog; 02-01-2020 at 08:06 AM.