Premium or Ordinary Gas
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
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Premium or Ordinary Gas
My TL 2006 is almost reached the 105K. I have only used premium fuel so far. Does it matter if I use premium or ordinary? The dealer said it does not matter. Would like to hear from the gurus though. Would there be a change in mileage etc. Thanks
we have high compression engine ratios.
which means it needs high octane fuel.
stick to the highest octane available and you will be okay! 
which means it needs high octane fuel.
Originally Posted by wiki
The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating. In broad terms, fuels with a higher octane rating are used in high-compression engines that generally have higher performance.
Use of gasoline with lower octane numbers may lead to the problem of engine knocking.[1]
Use of gasoline with lower octane numbers may lead to the problem of engine knocking.[1]
Originally Posted by wiki
Knocking (also called knock, detonation, spark knock, pinging or pinking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines occurs when combustion of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder starts off correctly in response to ignition by the spark plug, but one or more pockets of air/fuel mixture explode outside the envelope of the normal combustion front.
The fuel-air charge is meant to be ignited by the spark plug only, and at a precise time in the piston's stroke cycle. Knock occurs when the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle. The shock wave creates the characteristic metallic "pinging" sound, and cylinder pressure increases dramatically. Effects of engine knocking range from inconsequential to completely destructive.
Knocking should not be confused with pre-ignition. They are two separate events, however, pre-ignition is usually followed by knocking.
The fuel-air charge is meant to be ignited by the spark plug only, and at a precise time in the piston's stroke cycle. Knock occurs when the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle. The shock wave creates the characteristic metallic "pinging" sound, and cylinder pressure increases dramatically. Effects of engine knocking range from inconsequential to completely destructive.
Knocking should not be confused with pre-ignition. They are two separate events, however, pre-ignition is usually followed by knocking.
KCCO
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 192
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
What the.... Why would your Acura dealer tell you that it doesn't matter? The only reason I can think of is that they want your engine to go kaput, so that you'll bring it to them to fix. The shop on the corner might not know, but an Acura dealer should know better.
Your owners manual also tells you that you need to use premium. It says once in a while you can use a lower grade, but don't make that a habit because you will start damaging things.
Your owners manual also tells you that you need to use premium. It says once in a while you can use a lower grade, but don't make that a habit because you will start damaging things.
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Just one reason I don't take my car to the dealer for service. They don't seem to know any better than any run of the mill indy shop.
It's all about compression ratios, not the 0.3L difference in displacement. Both the 3.2L (J32A3) and 3.5L (J35A8) have an 11:1 compression ratio which is pretty agressive. Run regular fuel in either and it will pull timing due to predetonation.
It's all about compression ratios, not the 0.3L difference in displacement. Both the 3.2L (J32A3) and 3.5L (J35A8) have an 11:1 compression ratio which is pretty agressive. Run regular fuel in either and it will pull timing due to predetonation.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 598
Likes: 96
The modern Prius runs 13.0:1 compression and Toyota recomends 87 octane. The J35A8's 11.0:1's compression ratio is comparatively low. Compression ratio is not the only thing at play.
That said, Acura recommends 91 or higher, it should say it on the fuel cap or behind the fuel door.
That said, Acura recommends 91 or higher, it should say it on the fuel cap or behind the fuel door.
I'm guessing the dealer doesn't care what fuel you use since they no longer have to warranty it. Use premium. I've even seen threads on here where people said they are mixing in 100 octane and it feels better in high temps as the stock tune pulls a lot of timing. One of these days I'm gonna put some Sunoco 260GT in.
The modern Prius runs 13.0:1 compression and Toyota recomends 87 octane. The J35A8's 11.0:1's compression ratio is comparatively low. Compression ratio is not the only thing at play.
That said, Acura recommends 91 or higher, it should say it on the fuel cap or behind the fuel door.
That said, Acura recommends 91 or higher, it should say it on the fuel cap or behind the fuel door.
the expansion ratio is about 13:1.
so, you're comparing Apples and Oranges.
and cant really compare the two as one has an Atkinson Style and the other uses an Otto style.
I always use premium like the cap says. Used to run regular in my old type r and it ran like a bag, once I realized it needed premium (engine swap into another car) it was so much happier with that fuel.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 598
Likes: 96
Following the manufacturers recommendations is typically a better idea over blindly listening to some guy on the internet.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,548
Likes: 6,200
From: Phoenix, AZ
Justin...when did you become smart? Last I remember you were doing FWD "donuts" around light poles and getting interrogated by police?
as much as I want to keep the charade going, I googled it for the answer.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 189
Likes: 59
From: West Covina , CA
previous owner on mine ran cheap gas and the EGR was clogged and engine would vibrate or shut off randomly. I took it off and sprayed LOTS of brake cleaner and after that problem never reoccurred because i always run premium
Cruisin'
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 4
From: So Cali
I know some say it does not matter but I usually go to Chevron or Texaco where they have Techron. Call it mental but I feel a difference in gas with them over mobile or 76. I also use a fuel additive about once every month or every other month (basically when I remember) and a full fuel system cleaner every 3-4 months. I usually go with Lucas. I definitely feel a difference... pair it up with a new oil change and I love how good my car feels.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 565
Likes: 57
I have no idea why but my gas seems to last noticeably longer when i use the midgrade at a no name gas station than when i fill up with ultra 93 octane at Sunoco. I continue to fill my tank with the Sonoco 93 but when im just putting $20 worth of gas and i want a little more gas for my my money i go to the cheaper gas station and get the mid grade.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 8
From: Pittsburgh, PA
This.
For real though OP your costing more in the long run with cheaper gas. Eventually your going to damage something not to mention your TL run like balls and as far as I'm aware you lose mileage on these engines with 87. I wouldn't know cause I've run premium since day 1.
Not a perfect comparison but a guy I work with has a saturn vue (the ones with the J35 in them) and he got about 50-70 more miles a tank.
For real though OP your costing more in the long run with cheaper gas. Eventually your going to damage something not to mention your TL run like balls and as far as I'm aware you lose mileage on these engines with 87. I wouldn't know cause I've run premium since day 1.
Not a perfect comparison but a guy I work with has a saturn vue (the ones with the J35 in them) and he got about 50-70 more miles a tank.
I have no idea why but my gas seems to last noticeably longer when i use the midgrade at a no name gas station than when i fill up with ultra 93 octane at Sunoco. I continue to fill my tank with the Sonoco 93 but when im just putting $20 worth of gas and i want a little more gas for my my money i go to the cheaper gas station and get the mid grade.
there are many variables that you are not taking in account.
therefore your 'study' is flawed and cannot say that midgrade last longer in your tank.
I hate cars has monitored Knock.
He found that a mixture of 100 octane and 93 to make 96 octane stops knock!
but, with the price of fuel, adding 100 octane isnt always feasible.
in the State of Texas, the highest octane available at the pumps is 93 octane.
if I had the option of 94, I would put 94 in to extract as much power as possible. Because Racecar.
but as long as you're using premium fuel, it will be okay, as the computer/ECU can retard timing
Originally Posted by wiki
Knocking (also called knock, detonation, spark knock, pinging or pinking) in spark-ignition internal combustion engines occurs when combustion of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder starts off correctly in response to ignition by the spark plug, but one or more pockets of air/fuel mixture explode outside the envelope of the normal combustion front.
The fuel-air charge is meant to be ignited by the spark plug only, and at a precise time in the piston's stroke cycle. Knock occurs when the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle. The shock wave creates the characteristic metallic "pinging" sound, and cylinder pressure increases dramatically. Effects of engine knocking range from inconsequential to completely destructive.
Knocking should not be confused with pre-ignition. They are two separate events, however, pre-ignition is usually followed by knocking.
The fuel-air charge is meant to be ignited by the spark plug only, and at a precise time in the piston's stroke cycle. Knock occurs when the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle. The shock wave creates the characteristic metallic "pinging" sound, and cylinder pressure increases dramatically. Effects of engine knocking range from inconsequential to completely destructive.
Knocking should not be confused with pre-ignition. They are two separate events, however, pre-ignition is usually followed by knocking.
but, with the price of fuel, adding 100 octane isnt always feasible.
in the State of Texas, the highest octane available at the pumps is 93 octane.
if I had the option of 94, I would put 94 in to extract as much power as possible. Because Racecar.
but as long as you're using premium fuel, it will be okay, as the computer/ECU can retard timing
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 565
Likes: 57
Thanks man, i also thought it was genius... I figured 86 octane plus a new flux capacitor will equal 95 octane to the variable of 3.14 washer fluid turbos.
