Does a 2000+ year maxima require special gasoline?

[StageLeft]

And by special I mean more than the standard 87 octane stuff? How can I find out - I checked their website but can't find the good stuff in there!

EDIT: Found this:

"FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI
(Anti-Knock Index) number (Research octane number 96)

If unleaded premium gasoline is not available, unleaded regular gasoline
with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Research octane number 91) can
be used.

However, for maximum vehicle performance, the use of unleaded premium
gasoline is recommended.

CAUTION

Using a fuel other than that specified could adversely affect the emission
control devices and systems, and could also affect the warranty coverage."

Wtf does that mean? I don't care if I lose a couple % horsepower if it means saving $.20 per gallon. Is it save in this case to use 87?

EDIT 2: Somebody on deja also mentioned that mileage can go down using the cheaper octane. That isn't true is it?

 

[Nohr]

I don't know about the newer models, but my mom's '97 Maxima GLE uses 92 octane.

 

Yes it is save to use 87.
The Maxima has a knock sensor, when using lower octane petrol, the ECM will retard the ignition timing to prevent detonation.

 

[Eli]

lol.. special gasoline?

Unless they run on aviation fuel, no.

I suppose you're asking if they take premium or not.

The answer is yes, 4th and 5th generation Maximas need 91 octane or better.

It is safe to use 87 octane, yes.. the knock sensor will protect your engine... I don't know if you would actually be saving any money though, because it would lower your milage(read: make your engine a little less efficent due to the retarded timing) a little.

I guess you would just have to do some tests and see if you actually saved any money or not. It very well could work out to be the same. If that's the case, just get premium.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Roger
Yes it is save to use 87.
The Maxima has a knock sensor, when using lower octane petrol, the ECM will retard the ignition timing to prevent detonation.

What are the long term consequences of this? I figure that over 18,000 miles/year going with 91 instead of 87 could cost about $150/year.

 

No long term consequences except for what Eli stated ;

Higher fuel consumption

Less power

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Roger
No long term consequences except for what Eli stated ;

Higher fuel consumption

Less power

But can't you guys give me exact numbers? I want the answer so that I can compare the loss of mileage versus save in gas. Please get me the numbers guys I don't care how long it takes ya!

 

[smp]

Just get teh premium man ... you'll feel the differnce and it's what the engine was designed for.
When we got ours, I was putting regular in it for a while, but it does run better with the premium. 99 here

 

[wellerdball]

what kind of gas to use in a 2000 accord v6?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I have occasionally used a tank of regular in my 2001 Maxima, because the station had run out of premium. It has not noticeably affected my mileage. I still use premium more or less always.

 

Skoorb ;

Every vehicle is different, many things affect fuel mileage ;

Type of driving

Weather

Maintenance

Brand of petrol


Expect to see at the most a 1.5 MPG loss (Estimated)

 

[MonkOnXanax]

here's a thought... just put in 89 and compromise.

 

[0roo0roo]

i somehow doubt that the mileage lost is so great that it counteracts the price difference. i think there was either a class action or some government investigation into overpricing of "premium" fuel

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Roger
No long term consequences except for what Eli stated ;

Higher fuel consumption

Less power

But can't you guys give me exact numbers? I want the answer so that I can compare the loss of mileage versus save in gas. Please get me the numbers guys I don't care how long it takes ya!

I don't think we can give you numbers. There are too many variables.. How you drive, city or highway miles, your terrain..

The only way to check would be to do some tests.. You would have to keep a lot of notes on how much you spent filling up, how many miles you drove, etc. using each type of fuel.. and compare. Just try to be as consistant as you can..

I doubt there's going to be a significant difference between the two.. If you feel like you'd rather save money then have your engine operating at peak efficency, there isn't any harm in that I guess.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Roger
No long term consequences except for what Eli stated ;

Higher fuel consumption

Less power

But can't you guys give me exact numbers? I want the answer so that I can compare the loss of mileage versus save in gas. Please get me the numbers guys I don't care how long it takes ya!

I don't think we can give you numbers. There are too many variables.. How you drive, city or highway miles, your terrain..

The only way to check would be to do some tests.. You would have to keep a lot of notes on how much you spent filling up, how many miles you drove, etc. using each type of fuel.. and compare. Just try to be as consistant as you can..

I doubt there's going to be a significant difference between the two.. If you feel like you'd rather save money then have your engine operating at peak efficency, there isn't any harm in that I guess.

Personally to me it would be worth it. 222 horsepower with a 5 speed is pretty darn fast, so if I lose a little gas mileage but save some cash I doubt I'll complain. As long as it doesn't affect any engine longevity though - because if it harms the engine or exhaust system in any way I wouldn't do it but you guys indicate it does not.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: wellerdball
what kind of gas to use in a 2000 accord v6?

These do not require premium. I owned a '98 Accord V-6 for about a year, and it was nice not having to buy premium (though I did not generally like the car).

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: wellerdball
what kind of gas to use in a 2000 accord v6?

These do not require premium. I owned a '98 Accord V-6 for about a year, and it was nice not having to buy premium (though I did not generally like the car).

That's cause you replaced it with a real car

 

[CraigRT]

Just use the good stuff... at least 91... the car knocks bad with 87 octane ( my dads 2000 )

and it's not that much more to fill your car up with the PROPER gas.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Roger
No long term consequences except for what Eli stated ;

Higher fuel consumption

Less power

But can't you guys give me exact numbers? I want the answer so that I can compare the loss of mileage versus save in gas. Please get me the numbers guys I don't care how long it takes ya!

I don't think we can give you numbers. There are too many variables.. How you drive, city or highway miles, your terrain..

The only way to check would be to do some tests.. You would have to keep a lot of notes on how much you spent filling up, how many miles you drove, etc. using each type of fuel.. and compare. Just try to be as consistant as you can..

I doubt there's going to be a significant difference between the two.. If you feel like you'd rather save money then have your engine operating at peak efficency, there isn't any harm in that I guess.

Personally to me it would be worth it. 222 horsepower with a 5 speed is pretty darn fast, so if I lose a little gas mileage but save some cash I doubt I'll complain. As long as it doesn't affect any engine longevity though - because if it harms the engine or exhaust system in any way I wouldn't do it but you guys indicate it does not.

I am sure it effects something.. The question would be what, and how much though. I don't think it will effect the longevity of your engine in any way, unless your knock sensor stopped operating. That's more dependant on proper maintenance, and to a certain degree, the use of high quality serviceable components.. Particularly the two main filters.

Something makes me question the exhaust thing though. It seems possible that the retarded timing could increase emissions, even if ever so slightly? I don't know if that would effect say the catalytic converter's longevity, or perhaps even worsen the milage hit even more due to the ECU compensating? I dunno. Roger?

I'm thinking that it might just be worth it to spend the few extra bucks per tank for premium, or at least mid-grade(89). If you drive in hot weather, or have any steep grades to climb.. you may run into problems. I don't know how much the ECU will actually compensate.. I'm sure it has a range.. It wouldn't be any good if your engine pinged at all, in any situation. That could certainly shorten it's life.

Another thing to think about is that I don't really think that's what the knock sensor is for. It isn't so you can go ahead and put regular 87 octane into it, and be okay.. It's to help protect the engine from damage if it ever experiences pinging. Pinging can be caused from things above and beyond too low an octane rating.

 

[0roo0roo]

wait, i seem to remember one of the car magazines doing a test of just this recently. might have been car and driver. not much difference from what i remember

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/november/200111_feature_gasoline.xml?&page=3


so unless u gotta go down to the drag strip for that extra .05 second... heh

 

[Eli]

Linkified.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Any fuel consumption difference will be too small to be noticed.

All cars that REQUIRE unleaded premium say so, usually right under the gauge, and on the gas cap.

If the car doesn't require premium, it is perfectly safe to use regular.

The PCM is programmed to adapt to whatever fuel you put in the car. You don't have the full 222 HP unless you're using the good stuff.

You can test the fuel consumption yourself. Just check how many miles you get out of a tank of premium vs. a tank of regular. That will be a real-world comparison based on YOUR car, not estimates.
Best way to go.

 

[StageLeft]

Thanks for the links!

 

Something makes me question the exhaust thing though. It seems possible that the retarded timing could increase emissions, even if ever so slightly? I don't know if that would effect say the catalytic converter's longevity, or perhaps even worsen the milage hit even more due to the ECU compensating? I dunno. Roger?

The ECM will compensate for the lower octane rating.
As for the exhaust system, temps in the exhaust would be slightly raised do to the retarded ignition timing but I doubt very much that it would shorten the life span of the exhaust.
Catalytic convertors require a stoichiometric air fuel ratio (14.7 parts air, 1 part gasoline) to operate efficiantly.
This ratio does not produce maximum horsepower, a ratio as low as 12 to 1 will produce more power but emissions increase exponentially as the air fuel ratio deviates from 14.7 to 1.
The ECM will slightly richen the fuel mixture along with retarded ignition timing when a lower octane fuel is used to combat preignition.(a richer mixture burns cooler)
The ECM will also alter EGR function to compensate for the altered mixture ratio thereby keeping emissions within desired parameters.
This will ofcourse lowers temps in the engine but raises temps in the exhaust system.
But, now here is the catch, most automibile manufactures design there engines and control systems to accomadate lower octane fuel.
So, what is the overall picture ?

You will do no harm when using a lower octane gasoline.