wontonjohnny

Just was curious what the rave was all about and looked it up on hondas site.

HP is 189 and TQ is 182 compared to the TSX's 201 HP and 172 TQ.

Its odd to me how the accord compression ratio is 11.1 and the TSX is 11 both are DOHC iVTECs yet their recommended fuel is regular. Leads me to believe our cars can safely use regular fuel too.

Acura_Dude

junktionfet

Lower octane fuels can work with high compression in a DI engine because fuel is injected towards the top of the compression stroke; It has less time to heat up and preignite. On a not-DI engine, that fuel charge is along for the ride during the entire intake and compression stroke; Much higher chance of preignition.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

junktionfet is absolutely right. We cannot directly compare fuel requirements between two very different motors.

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

You just gave a sound, scientific answer that addresses the issues and answers the OP's "observation". But this is the internet, and it will be ignored in favor of irrationality.

fxcarden

Not to beat a dead horse but my TSX runs fine on regular when the weather is cool (50 or below). When warmer, it knocks like crazy. I tend to use 91 octane 95% of the time anyhow. The $5 I save per tank doesn't warrant the risk of damaging the engine. I fill up every 10 days or so on average so we are talking about $200 per year extra if that.

wontonjohnny

America has way cheaper gas then Canadians. Regular to premium is on average 15 cents more a liter. Which equates to about ten dollars a fill up. Currently 1.26 a liter.

Guess I'm stuck with premium.

odus

iTrader: (1)

my question to someone that complains about running premium why did you buy a car that needs it or its recommended. if this is something you wanna complain about buy an accord or Camry and quit asking this question.

wontonjohnny

Its called trying to save money, you probably live at your parents, don't have a mortgage or a child. If you don't want to contribute nicely to this thread then don't read it, not like i came to your bedroom after visiting your momma and complained to your face about how much more expensive a tank of premium is compared to your mom.

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

No one is trying to knock you, but it the $10 extra per tank to fill up is an issue, there are other vehicles in the TSX's price range than run on regular. It would behoove a buyer to consider those options if they wanted to save money on gas.

MrOtocinclus

I never understood people who drive around for half an hour trying to find free parking when the $2/hour parking garage is open and available. That time would be better spent actually sitting in the restaurant talking to friends and eating good food.

I also never understood people who drive blocks and blocks to find gas that's 20 cents cheaper. IIRC our TSX has an 18 gallon tank, so at most you'd save $3.60.

My time is valuable and the sooner I'm done with running life's errands and actually living and enjoying life, the better. You can have my $3.60.

/soapbox

junktionfet

This isn't really meant as a serious suggestion because it would take many many tanks of low octane fuel to get any kind of return on investment, not to mention it's kind of silly... But with that disclaimer out of the way; Get a Hondata FlashPro (if it's available), and spend some time on a dyno to come up with a much less aggressive ignition advance map. Maybe combine that with spark plugs that have a cooler heat range or play with the plug gaps as well.

It will take a considerable amount of time, but find the most timing/hottest spark you can that will burn low octane fuel without pre-ignition. You'll end up with less horsepower and torque, and probably higher fuel consumption, but you'll be able to fill her up with the cheap stuff.

Or just keep an eye open for the least expensive Premium fuel, and try to use some simple hyper-mile techniques when you're commuting to squeeze a little more economy out of the engine. That little K24 can really be made to sip if you give it a chance.

wontonjohnny

In the end our tsx is still a four door Honda. Not much more expensive then a Toyota. Its not like a Porsche. My other car is a infinity fx35 and costs more then the Tsx yet it takes regular.

When you live in one of the most expensive cities in north America saving ten bucks a tank would be awesome. 2 dollar an hour parking is un heard of in Calgary. 8 dollars an hour is what i paid yesterday for parking. There's no free parking here.

fxcarden

My sales guy, and also the service advisor upon first service both said " I have never put a drop of premium in my TSX " - I personally didn't fall for it because I realized they drive dealer cars and could give a damn what happens, but I could see where someone falls for it, buys the car, sees the results and then complains.

i_MOB

The dealers usually have a personal gas pump in th back lot that's full of unleaded gas. That's what they use to fill up there cars after test drives. Ect.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I have a thirsty veesix TL.
stop complaining!
hehe

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

Well, that's just the point. There are plenty of cars in the TSX's price range that uses regular. Those are options that should have been on the table if premium gasoline is a consideration.