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Topic: Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

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Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/10/06 5:42am Message 1 of 7
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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18566
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
"My friend" bought an Acura MDX a couple of months ago.  Since then, "my friend" has been putting regular (87 octane) unleaded fuel in it.  Today when "he" was filling up "his" tank, "he" noticed the Premium Fuel Only label on the fuel door. "He" looked in the manual and it said it needs 91 octane or better.  The manual said use of a lower octane will cause occasional mechanical pinging and descrease engine performance.

What are ALL the issues with using lower octane?
Can it be damaging to the engine, or is it just a matter or performance?
Is MPG affected?
Is it worth the extra 40 cents per gallon for the 93 octane stuff?

"My friend" thanks you for your help!



-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

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Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/10/06 6:00am Message 2 of 7
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Summerville, SC - USA
Joined: 8/31/2005
Posts: 660
Vette(s): My 1974 Vette sold last August 2014. I am still willing to show up to events and local gatherings if anything happening No new vette yet.
well, i accidentally put regular in my vette for a bit before noticeing it needed premium. afterwards, i got better acceleration and better mileage to the tank.  it didnt run so rough either.  so yeah the grade does make a difference in my opinion.
 
Jeremy



Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/10/06 4:55pm Message 3 of 7
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
Your Acura probably has a knock sensor.  So when the regular fuel starts to ping/knock, the sensor will retard the timing until it stops.    This means you are always running retarted timing, and as such will get less power, and MAYBE less fuel mileage.
 
Try a tank or two of 91 and watch the mileage.  If it improves enough to make up for the difference in cost, you are ahead with the 91.  It will run better.
 
If the fuel savings are not there, and you don't mind the way it runs, it won't hurt anything.



Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/10/06 6:07pm Message 4 of 7
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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
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Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
[QUOTE=kstyer]Your Acura probably has a knock sensor....[/QUOTE]
 
Who said it was mine? Big%20smile
 
Seriously, though....thanks for the advice!



-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/11/06 4:54pm Message 5 of 7
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
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Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
[QUOTE=kstyer] Your Acura probably has a knock sensor.  So when the regular fuel starts to ping/knock, the sensor will retard the timing until it stops.    This means you are always running retarted timing , and as such will get less power, and MAYBE less fuel mileage.
 

Try a tank or two of 91 and watch the mileage.  If it improves enough to make up for the difference in cost, you are ahead with the 91.  It will run better.

 

If the fuel savings are not there, and you don't mind the way it runs, it won't hurt anything.
[/QUOTE]

Wow, Ken only you could get away with tellin he's runnin his car retarded...   


Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/11/06 5:15pm Message 6 of 7
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NEWPORT NEWS, VA - USA
Joined: 3/26/2002
Posts: 25
Vette(s): 1977 L-82

I just sold my 2003 TL/S with 90,000 miles on it.  I always used the 87 octane and was never disappointed with the performance.  Highway milage was over 30 MPG and I saved about $1,200. at the pump.  The way I look at it is while the Acura might have been retarded I wasn't.




Regular Unleaded in a Premium Vehicle

Posted: 10/12/06 7:27am Message 7 of 7
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Edmond, OK - USA
Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400
Vette(s): 1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995
"Most" vehicles today don't care what the octane is but the Shark does not like it!


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