Since gas prices have risen all across the nation within the past month or so, I'd thought it be nice to put this question out there:

Does it REALLY make a difference if i put in 89 octane rather than 91? Are all the levels basically the same? How does it affect our cars? Short term and long term?

I really just want to gas up on the lowest possible octane, but at the same time I don't want to harm the life of my car.

Everyone's comments are welcome.

 

i don't know about the acura specially, but most cars have computers that will "detune" the engine to run on lower octane gas. You'll get less mpg and less hp, but i don't think it would "hurt" the engine.

Dave

 

That question has been "put out" here about 500 times. Search around for lengthy and detailed threads on this.

 

15,000 miles a year at 20 mpg is 750 gallons.

Save 10 cents per gallon by dropping dropping down a grade.

$75 a year.

Less the $1.45 a week.

Why do people driving cars that cost over $30,000 keep asking this question?

 

i do agree, always use super myself. not worth it for a couple of bucks. Had a big discussion on edmunds with a guy who had a lexus gs300 and wanted to use cheap gas!

Dave

 

Not to mention, if you loose gas mileage by using the lower grade, you are cutting that difference down even more.

Just stick with the 91-93 octane and everything will be fine. Change a few driving habits and help increase your mileage as well.

I personally fill up with 93 octane. The big thing for me, is if I run it up into the high RPM range, I don't want to worry about it. That is where the higher octane gas is really going to help. As it is revving so fast that you dont want pre-detination. For those that don't know, the higher the octane rating, the more it takes for it to detinate. 87 octane will burn faster then 93. With high compression engines, you DONT want a early detination as this could destroy the motor.

If you are going to drive a TL, use the proper gas. If you want to use cheap gas, by a Cobalt, Focus, or Neon. You drive a 30000+ car, act like it.

 

89 octane is usually a bad buy since an octane increase of two counts costs $.10/gal. The 93 octane costs $.20/gal more, but has an increase of 6 in octane rating over 87. I use only premium due to the reasons cited above.

Years ago when regular was a dollar, premium cost 20 cents/gal more. It is still only a 20 cent difference though regular is now $3 (was 20% increase, now only 7% price increase).