Hi - me, newbie again I have been to 2 Acura dealers (including apparently the largest in the country - they had like 50+ TLs on the lot!). After talking to two different salesmen I was suprised to hear two different "views" about fuel. One dealer said you could run low or med grade fuel and it wouldn't make much of a difference or harm the vehicle. The other dealer said you should run premium all the time unless in pinch or emergency. Hubby says the engine is tuned to run premium. So who is right? I know you should normally stick with what the owner's manual says. Just wondering if it makes a big difference. Thanks! I love this group and hope to be a TL owner soon - as soon as I can decide on the color!

 

Premium because of the high comression. Also, it's recommended in the manual.

 

There are a lot of extensive threads on here about that topic. Try searching - you should find some good info.

Other than that - the engine was designed to run on 91 octane minimum, and I personally always buy premium.

 

You won't save any money by using regular or mid-grade. The computer responds by retarding the timing so you will get less maximum power, not a big concern for some folks, but also fewer mpg. But why believe me, I'm just an engineer.

 

Why would anyone buy a new $35,000 car, and then even consider running cheap fuel to save .10c/gal. This blows my mind!!! If the cost of premium is a factor, then buy a car designed to run on regular gas. Yes the engine might survive, but it was designed and built to run premium fuel, and running regular gas in an engine desgned for premium is not cool. Don't even consider it. It's just not designed to run that way, and the money saved might be needed later to rebuild the engine anyway should you decide to disregard the engineering behind this fantastic motor. We have one of the most powerfull, best built engines in the world, and part of this engineering is high compression, which dictates premium fuel.

 

Because if it doesn't make a difference...why throw your money away. I think the point is he didn't know which one to use. Now he does. Doesn't hurt to ask. Why spend an extra $3 2-3 times a week at the pump if you didn't have to. Unfortunately, JetJock is right...you should. I don't know about ruining your engine...that's not a definite...but you'll lose a little HP


Most powerful in the world???? A bit of a stretch......

 

I meant for a 3.2L V-6......I don't know of too many other's that are more powerfull...maybe the NSX??

 

93

 

E46 M3 ... 333 HP. If you're talking about HP/liter, it's not the most powerful but it's definitely up there.

 

Only 91 or higher is recommended. Lower number will work but engine performance will suffer significantly. The engine is simply not set up to work at that level.

 

I personally have switched to midgrade. I think it is a waste of money, and everyone I have ever talked to about it indicate I may loose less than 5 HP. That is minor to me. Will I feel the 5HP drop? doubtful. That is the difference in performance of me taking about 15 pounds of gear out of my trunk. I was at the gas station two days ago and I noticed a guy filling his S600 (that is a V12) with the midgrade. He said he knew a couple of engineers who work for the Mercedes corporated offices in Germany and they agreed. The manufactures recommend it only so they can show a higher HP on thier stats for the car magazines and to differenciate between low and high quality engines. Why do you think the Pilot and MDX have different requirements for the identical engine? The pilot only recommends regular unleaded. Same with the Camary and IS300, and some of the big SUV's that share with the Caddy's. There are probably dozens of examples

 

I'm jealous. Not only do we pay more in California, we get inferior gas.

 

This was posted in a previous thread. For most driving situations it does not matter. And even in situations that call for it most drivers won't notice. But on the other had it is only about a $3 difference per fill up. So you can make the call for yourself.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos...remiumgas_x.htm

 

Sorry - should have looked deeper into the threads - but trying to read all I can 'cause I'm new to this and getting ready to buy a TL. Just was asking the question - didn't mean to stir things up . I have enjoyed reading everything in these forums which has helped me decide to buy the TL. Now if I could just decide on that damn color..................... - oh yeah, I'm a female - think someone called me a "he" that's OK LOL

 

It is more tempting to use a lower rated fuel in Toronto where the price difference between regular and premium (87 vs. 91) is 10 cents a litre or about 40 cents a gallon. I ran my 96 Maxima on midgrade (5 cents a litre cheaper than premium) and it got good mileage and ran well. Notwithstanding the price I am still running my TL on premium.

 

I switch between mid-grade (89) and premium (93) in Atlanta, but I never go less than 1/3 empty. So it's pretty much a mixing of fuel.

I was told in stations that use a single pump (with grade selector) everything is pretty similar coming out (you never get full 93 octane and never get to 87 due to fuel in the line). (I heard it from a 25-year ExxonMobil employee who gets free gas - but only 87 octane - due to this...)

 

Guys and Gals, stick to premium. It's upto $3 more per fill about $160-200 more a year. It's about $1000 - $1500 for the life of the car. Think! Think! IS it worth it to use it for less power? I rest my case.

 

Don't worry. If you've read much on this forum, you'll find that just about anything will stir things up here. You should read the posting where somebody accidently called a soda "pop".

I got a chuckle when I saw that, too. It just goes to show that a lot of folks may still fire off their mouth (fingers?) without having a complete picture.

And BTW, I have only used Premium (91) so far.

 

I was the one who did that and people were all over me, "why the hell do you call it pop, are you seven?" hey I live in Oregon, thats what we call it here

anyways I'd go with 91 or 89 IMO, my dads audi turbo, pings if you use 87, it even pings when he uses 89, but thats with the A/C on. So, he uses 91.

 

sigh.... fuel price are going up dramatically in SC..

Now I am paying $1.81 per gallon of shell 93 octane. (I am only using Shell fuel and no other brand)

 

Hey, it can get a lot worse. $2.30 on the left coast at Shell for 91. Feel any better?

 

nope... I am not happy...

last yr I am only paying $1.49 per gallon and this entire mideast tension and war on iraq sux

 

We're not too far behind California, it's $2.24 a gallon in Hawaii as of last week.