What happens when you use a wrong fuel type?

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hbui

Member
Apr 19, 2004
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So my gf bought the acura RSX a couple months ago. I finally got around to driving it for a road trip yesterday and notice that it said on the Front panel Grade C gas. It turn out she's been using regular unleaded gas as oppose to premium mentioned in the manual. It's only been a month. I was just wondering is there anything i should be aware of? What are the side effects of using PLUS or Regular?
 
NaOH

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Nope car should be fine, normally new cars can detect the grade of fuel you put in and adjust the combustion accordingly. Her car will just not perform as good as if she put in premium.
 
R

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
17,515
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Have you noticed any knocking or anything similar? The octane level is the only reason they recommend "premium" gas in cars...and frankly, many of them don't really need it (but I'd still use it if they said to). The idea is that cars with high compression ratios will ignite the gas through compression alone, before it should ignite, which will cause knocking and potentially damage the engine. If you've noticed the car running not so smoothly, that's probably what it was...ask your GF about that.

As far as long term damage, I'm not aware of anything that would do that in a few months...but I'm not an auto mechanic.
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
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A piezoelectric transducer bonded to the engine block turns the forces from knocking and pre ignition into minuscule voltages that are analyzed by the onboard electronic control unit. If these reach the trigger threshold, the computer will retard the timing until the source stops. This happens on the fly automatically to prevent piston damage. The penalty is with retarded timing, lower engine output when needed under hard acceleration.

I think that's right. :)
 
H

hbui

Member
Apr 19, 2004
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wow...thanks for all the help. This board is full of great and knowledgable members...
 
R

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
17,515
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Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Nope car should be fine, normally new cars can detect the grade of fuel you put in and adjust the combustion accordingly. Her car will just not perform as good as if she put in premium.
Click to expand...

Not that I'm doubting you, but I'm curious how a car can adjust the level of compression in the cylinder.
 
K

kt

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2000
6,028
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Originally posted by: Rainsford
Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Nope car should be fine, normally new cars can detect the grade of fuel you put in and adjust the combustion accordingly. Her car will just not perform as good as if she put in premium.
Click to expand...

Not that I'm doubting you, but I'm curious how a car can adjust the level of compression in the cylinder.
Click to expand...

I think he meant to say the timing get adjusted.
 
NaOH

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: Rainsford
Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Nope car should be fine, normally new cars can detect the grade of fuel you put in and adjust the combustion accordingly. Her car will just not perform as good as if she put in premium.
Click to expand...

Not that I'm doubting you, but I'm curious how a car can adjust the level of compression in the cylinder.
Click to expand...

Pretty much what MS Dawn said.
 
P

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
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Originally posted by: MS Dawn
A piezoelectric transducer bonded to the engine block turns the forces from knocking and pre ignition into minuscule voltages that are analyzed by the onboard electronic control unit. If these reach the trigger threshold, the computer will retard the timing until the source stops. This happens on the fly automatically to prevent piston damage. The penalty is with retarded timing, lower engine output when needed under hard acceleration.

I think that's right. :)
Click to expand...

confirmed
 
L

LEDominator

Senior member
May 31, 2006
388
0
76
The Octane difference from regular to premium in CA is 89-92. The big number on the grade selector. The performance difference is miniscule and as the others have said unless your car is knocking around you don't need it.

For those that care, linky here
 
gsellis

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
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I do remember some reality show where some noob in England accidentally got diesel in his VW. It was laying a heavy smokescreen. All from a dash-cam England's finest.
 
Rubycon

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
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Originally posted by: LEDominator
The Octane difference from regular to premium in CA is 89-92. The big number on the grade selector. The performance difference is miniscule and as the others have said unless your car is knocking around you don't need it.

For those that care, linky here
Click to expand...

this may be useful to some too
 
NaOH

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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I put 87 in my dinky civic. Drives fine. I would tell my bro who has an rsx to put whatever his manual says (which is plus).
 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
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Is she trying to save gas money or didn't bother reading the manual?
 
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