I did a search on octane so I know it gets kicked around a lot, but for the lucky few that already have their 2004 TL's, what octane are you using?

I'll be getting mine in a few weeks and I am hoping that the 87 will work just fine.

 

91+ is recommended.

 

I remember reading in the specs 91 octane.

 

Come on.. don't spend $33k+ on a car and then refuse to give it the gas it needs. Put in 91 or better.

 

Especially with 11.0 - 1 compression ratio!

 

While on the subject, is there a particular brand of gas that most of you prefer to use (or brands that you refuse to put in your car)?

 

Agreed. I've read that you can get away with using lower octane fuel, but that you'll suffer decreased performance. I just don't like the idea. If Acura recommends high octane fuel, that's what I'm going to use.

 

Stupid east coast. Jumps from 89 to 93 octane. We got not 91. Those bastards

 

Is 91 octane even sold?

 

is out west so I hear

 

Here in Toronto most gas stations sell 91 octane as their premium gas. (87, 89, 91).

 

We were discussing the no 91 octane this morning at work. We figured you just alternate between 89 and 93 everytime you get down to half a tank. I hate having to stop for gas, so that won't work for me.

I just filled my '03 TL-S last night for the first time and used 93. I'm planning on trying 89 my next tank. I don't plan on any serious racing anytime soon, so if it runs fine, I'll stick with that.

 

While we are at it why don't we put skinny tires on the TL. That will give lower rolling resistance, and hence better fuel economy and lower overall cost of operation.

I can't see why anyone would buy a TL or other performance oriented car and not give it the fuel with the octane it was designed for. Along the same lines, I'd also stick to "major brand" fuels.

-r

 

Not only will you lose some performance with the cheaper gas, but your MPG will suffer as well.

Had a debate/argument once with a co-worker. He swore by 87 octane gas just because it was cheaper. He commuted 45 miles/day each way. I convinced him to try a tank of premium. He came back and told me that he was getting 10% better mileage while only paying like 6-8% more for the gas. He was thrilled that he didn't have to fill up as often and was finally convinced that he got more for his money by buying premium. At the very least, it's a break-even situation IMO. The numbers above are guesstimates so please don't quote my numbers. Just rough guesses by someone suffering from short-term memory.

Anyhow to me, it's a no-brainer. Especially with a 11 to 1 compresion ratio. Use Premium in your TL's.

Later

 

I'm not sure what other quality companies you guys used or heard of, but when a professor in my university who did quiet a bit of research for petroleum institute was asked the same question he said that Shell and Mobil have about the same quality of fuel and purification methods. And they are above the rest of the crowd meaning AM/PM, Arko, Exxon(owened by Mobil), Texaco, Cheveron and so on and so fourth.

I have never done any research for petroleum institute, but have heard that the best fuels are those of Shell and Mobil as well. Plus we all know you pay for what you get.

 

It really depends on the car/engine though. Some engines will actually run worse on higher octance gas. You want to run the octane that the engine was designed for.

 

fdl: Agreed. But who would want a car that was designed for low octane gas?

 

I disagree. *Many* (but far from "all") of us aren't really performance oriented. One simply cannot buy a vehicle that offers luxury features without also having high-performance. If I could, then I'd save $20K and get a 130 HP car with the same interior features and exterior styling. I'm buying the TL more for the luxury features than anything. I'd get the TSX if it offered navigation/bluetooth/DVD etc etc. Sure it will be nice to have a vehicle built around handling/performance - but I won't care about losing a quarter second in the 1-60 category if it is going to save me a fiver a week by purchasing lower octane fuel.

Again, I'm not a performance oriented person so I very well could be missing the mark on the "actual" significance of using lower octane fuel. Open to correction...

 

I'm a first-time "post"-er so be gentle. I'm in the same boat as NSWAGAR. My TL is to arrive early November, and my main reason for purchase is luxury/features. Given that performance means next to nothing to me, is there any negative engine issues if a lower octane is selected? I thought I saw on a different thread awhile back, that the general consensus was that a lower octane would not have any adverse affects on the engine. Can someone please confirm?


agree with

 

I belive the key to this thread is the "knock sensor". In the new accord this sensor can advance and retard ignition timing making it possible to use lower as well as higher octane fuels. This is why people think that on 91 or 93 new accord has 250 hp and 10 more pounds of torque.

In regard to TL, its knock may or may not be able to advance ignition timing, if it does then we'll see some difference when going to 100 octane fuel.

In regard to using lower octane fuel on TL, you will lose HP & torque, not much, but you will. Based on accord specs i'd say about 10 HP and 10 pounds of torque when switching to 87/89 octane fuel. Is it worth it? I'd not say it is, saving a dollar or two and sacrificing fuel economy as well as performance is not my trend....

 

I heard the Accord with Premium Octane (91+) makes 250 HP, 10 over normal