Hey everyone!

Quick question.....does it really matter if I use mid-grade gasoline instead of the highest one? Also, do the Acura dealerships really do something different when they do the oil change....or is it okay to go to, say, JiffyLube? haha...just curious. At first when I got the car I always used the highest octane? gasoline, but somewhere along the way one of my friends told me it really doesnt make a difference anyway as long as you put a fuel cleaner in your tank?


Any thoughts?

Thank you!!!

 

Read the owner manual- in case you dont have one- here they are free
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

91 octane or 93 if thats what they sell in your area
If you cant afford 1-2 dollars per tank more for 91 than 87, sell the TL
Its hi compression engine demands good gas, and it wants Tier 1 quality gas too.
Type S models even more so~
Thats gas like chevron-texaco shell vpower, 76 and some others

Do your own oil changes- Speddie will overtighten the drain plug and use cheap filter.
Change oil every 7500 miles and use quliaty name brand.
Some prefer synthetics- mostly the hard driver crowd and stop-and-go traffic commuter cars

 

to use enough fuel cleaner per tankful to raise the octane a few points is about 25 dollars worth of cleaner. Not a great value overall
Your friends are not Acura specialist- stop listening to them

 

Your friend doesn't know what they are talking about.

This is a high compression engine (11 : 1) and built to run "near the limit" of pinging. You use less than 91 and you risk pinging, which over the long run VERY hard on your engine. A number of TL-S owners have pinging even running 93 - Acura pushed the envelope a little too far.

A few dollars per tank is the difference. Somebody figured, on average, about $150 per year. PLUS you actually get better gas mileage on the 91/93 than you do on 89 or 87.

Go to a quality, reputable service center (dealer, regional/national chain, Honda/Acura indie) , or DIY for Oil Changes. If you pay over $30 for Oil Change and Filter, you're paying too much. Just keep Butch the tech school drop-out at Iffy Lube away from your car.

You've got a high value car. Spend a few $$ to take care of it or get something you can afford.

 

@OP - Both topics have been discussed many times before... don't be surprised if this thread gets closed. Use the search feature before positng

Yeah, that was me in this thread, but using my numbers, you're saving $60/year. Pasted the relevant section:

I also agree about changing your own oil. It is one of easiest things you can do, you have control over what type of filter and oil is used, and you'll be more careful about it than some $8.50/hour tech at Jiffy Lube.

 

Here we go AGAIN. Use PREMIUM GAS, PERIOD.

 

Here we go again with still ANOTHER ridiculous MAD fold-in...

If you can't afford an extra dollar or 2 at fill up, you shouldn't own a TL.

This topic of what gas grade to use is getting about as sickening as the 6MT / 3rd Gear / GM Synchromesh Trans Fluild Friction Modified issue.


Hey Mods........Here's a thread you can close !

 

Use high test gas only. Period. For oil changes I have the Acura dealer change my oil and filter with Mobil 1 5-20 and a Mobil 1 filter that I provide. I have the dealer rotate the tires as well while in for service. This costs me $38 and I get a free car wash and vacuuming. The oil and filter cost $30 from Wal-mart so my normal maintenance costs $136 per year. At the rate I drive I do this twice a year. I've heard too many horror stories about Jiffy Lube to trust them with my TL.

 

The former honda technician that works on my cars and now has his own honda/acura shop tells me its not a problem to use 87 in the acura tl 2004 I have. He is a very sharp mechanic based on my 15 years of bringing hondas to him. Just telling you what he says. I notice when I use midgrade the mileage is a bit lower....so it's probably close to a wash between the mid grade and the 91 octane when you factor in the better gas mileage you get.

i would never trust jiffy lube unless I was standing next to the guy doing the job.

 

Back from the dead?

Why not put the recommended fuel in the car? It calls for 91. You'll be saving what $1.50-$2.00 a fill up?

 

I would never take my car back to any tech that believes it's not a problem to run 87 in a TL. He obviously has no understanding of detonation and it's effect on mpg, engine life, and power. Run 87, save $4 per fillup. Get worse mpg, worse power, and rebuild the engine sooner. In the end you save money based on the mpg alone.

 

JIMMMMMM did you read any of these responses to this 2 year old thread???

 

First off I only use the highest octain in my Tl. I had a 91 toyota cressida before my TL and I put regular in it once and it drove like sh!t. I learned my lesson. As for oil changes, the dealer is way too over priced and they take too damn long. I buy my oil and filter and take it to my mechanic. He inspects my entire car and im out within half an our. Plus I dont trust that the dealer is putting synthetic when I ask them too.

 

QFT.

 

Wow Talk about a thread revival!

 

As other's have pointed out, you should be only putting in 91 or 93 octane premium gas, depending on where you live. Here in NJ, all we have is Shell Premium which is 93 octane, so that is what goes in and my TL likey likey!!

It even says on the inside of the fuel filler door, Premium gasoline REQUIRED, not recommended, REQUIRED!

 

"Premium Unleaded Fuel Only"

any "honda tech" that tells you its ok to put 87 is nuts. I even put 100 octane unleaded once every two months on average just to keep the octane of the petrol at or above 91.

 

...where do u get 100????

 

Another thread revival (& topic) that did not need bumping. Thread closed.