jim_c

csmeance: thanks for your post but it seems you are confusing spark timing (aka ignition timing) and valve timing which are two different things.
Some of your description is correct, some is apparently "confused".
Advancing the ignition timing has nothing to do with altering the air/fuel charge into the combustion chamber.
Even in a "normal" non high performance engine under "normal conditions, even at idle, the spark timing is advanced at least a few degrees.
The plug does not fire exactly at TDC. That's what "advanced" means.
Not slagging you, just "correcting" your wording.

aj1101

I just bought a 2013 TL SH AWD six speed manual. My previous car was a 2004 I4 accord manual trans. I loved the Honda because its reliable, 253k and no major repairs or problems, its relatively peppy for an I4, and got great gas mileage averaged 30 mpg and I drove it hard. I did do some thinking before buying the TL because of the cost of premium fuel and the expected loss of avg mpg. I think Honda and Acura wring out a lot or most of what you can get out of the engines in factory trim I trust that this car needs premium fuel because of the way they engineered it.. Not crazy about the additional expense but I don't this as wasted money either.

asb32952

Local big box wholesale club only sells 87 and 93 octane. Fill ups are 1/2 of each. No issues at all.

Alexns05

No offense but I think that is a pretty ignorant hot take. Just because somebody owns an Acura doesn't mean they have unlimited funds to pay for fuel. Do you think everyone who is driving an Acura just went to the dealership and paid $40,000 cash for their car? In my case I have a 2004 Acura TL that I bougth in 2012. At the time the car seemed like the best fit and was actually the best deal I could find on a car that met my needs/interests. I was a single 24 year old at the time with a decent job and paying extra for premium fuel was the last thing on my mind. Fast forward 9 years and I still have the same car, but I'm currently married with kids and not struggling but definitely not getting rich. The difference between regular and premium fuel where I'm at is about 70 cents per gallon right now. So that's about $10 per fill up. So for my driving you're talking anywhere between $200-$400 a year I'm saving by using regular fuel. There has been no measurable difference in mpg when changing to regular fuel. Anyway I can go on and on but I'll spare you the details. I just think it's rather uninformed to not question anything about saving money on fuel and just say "derrrrrrr then why do you own an Acura derrrrrr?

Joblack

Thanks for reviving this post, it has been an interesting read. I have always subscribed to using premium if you like to drive the car hard and feel ok about lower octane if you drive at lower rpms and less load on the engine. As the cars age, more of the readers on the forum are the cars second or third owners who are less financially invested in the cars. Your fuel choice should be made based on your driving habits and these cars will see their full potential on premium. I don’t think I would notice the difference in fuel grades in my Corolla and am not interested in trying to find out

Kingcredible

Not this again.
I know. what you really want to hear is: "yes go ahead and use regular gas! Your TL loves it!" "Of course you're going to get better MPG!" " Want to gap camaros on the straight way? Use regular and they'll be at gapplebees I'm no time!"
There. Use regular. PLEASE use regular, and don't pretend to come here seeking knowledge when you're really just looking for validation for something you already made up your mind for. Since the search function is alien technology to you, since the owner's manual is written in elvish, PLEASE use regular.
Happy driving 😁

csmeance

Topic has been discussed enough....