Just got my new 05 BBP 5AT Navi. I read the manual but wonder what this brain trust has to say about best octane to feed my 270 ponies. And if somebody did decide to run 87 octane -- I won't -- wouldn't computer adjust accordingly? Thanks

05 BBP 5AT Navi
00 Tahoe Limited dropped 2" chrome 20's

 

i run, 93...94 in NJ...NY sux we cant get sunoco 94 oct..i look at it this way...you save 5 cents/Gal,...you punp 10 gals, thats 50 cents...whoopie....i rather spend the extra buck n get premium

 

The Acura owner's manual recommends using a 91 Octane or higher premium fuel rating. I 'd stick with that recommendation since the Acura TL has a 11:1 high compression engine. It needs the 91 Octane to accelerate the car smoothly. You can use a lower octane of 87 but it may cause pinging and knocking in the motor and your acceleration may be reduced. I have used 87 octane on my 2003 TL-S with no problems at low city speeds. The computer in your vehicle will adjust your timing electronically to compensate for the lower octane gas. Don't know the long term effects of use 87 Octane where premium fuel is recommended but I will use the 91 Octane to maintain my investment and warranty

 

On 04-05 TL, since the engine compression is so high at 11.0 to 1 compression. Therefore u have to used Premium gas on ur vehicle or the engine will start to ping. Pinging is not really a thing for the drivetrain and specially a $30k+ Vehicle.

 

You paid that much for the car....now treat it nice and give it the 93 it deserves
Don't be a cheap A$$

 

The answer to your question is yes. Unless you place a heavy load on the engine ie WOT, lots of uphill etc. But, as others have said, don't do it. Your loss in gas mileage offsets any apparent price savings, why bother?

You will get lots of answers. This has been asked on the Honda Pilot and MDX sites and studied by some of the members. Of course their engines are all lower HP and compression than the TL.

 

It's all about the high compression ratio and I ALWAYS use premium, which is usually 93 octane.

 

Good Lord, this has been beat to death so many times.

Believe me, friend, this is not intended to be a flame or putdown of any kind, but quite simply, it boils down to this. If the manufacturer recommends the use of premium fuel, he doesn't mean non-premium. Yes, I know that the owner's manual also says that reduced octane fuels can be used, but they should be avoided. Use the manufacturer's primary choice in fuel requirements and you'll do just fine.

Besides, look at it this way. One those occasions when you would like to have a little extra response, you'll have it. To me, every time I open the throttle, I feel the results of my and my engine's efforts.

 

I swore I was never going to write this again, but here goes. If you put in 87 octane, and get in a situation where you need all of your power, or just want to feel the rush, the rev limiter will cut you off at 4,000 rpm and you won't go any faster until you shift gears, and then it will happen all over again.

If you never go over 3,000 rpm you won't have to worry, but then, why did you buy a TL?