What Octane Gas are you using?
Those shows are somewhat generalized to the average driver who drives a sedan or minivan auto where the engine barely even ever meets redline unless your a Schumacher at heart driving a 4 door. 20/20 did a piece on this with John Stossel and at the end he concluded that only sports cars and basically the Acura line of cars really need high octane so yes for our car it is justified.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: CO
When gas prices started to rise above two bucks I went from midgrade 87 to regular 85. I could detect no change in power, no change in mileage (a steady 26, town and country) and the engine runs just as well. I do most of my driving from 7500 to 6000 ft. so octane isn't as much of an issue.
When I first got it in 03 I did a 2200 mile round trip, most of it at midwest altitudes and almost all of it at freeway speeds. Again, I was unable to detect any significant difference in mpg or power when I tried different tankfulls (tanksfull?) of all the grades.
The experts say if it runs fine on lower octane then use it. Anything more is a waste of money.
These octane arguments always seem to revolve around a quality issue which is simply not true. Higher octane gas is not more refined or "better" in any way other than it contains more of an antiknock additive for higher compression engines. Today's engine electronics, if I recall correctly, have to pass a test of running an engine on 82 octane. Up to OBD II one could get chips that would refine that programming so that mileage and performance would improve if high octane gas was used. Less true since then.
The manual, in my opinion, is kind of vague about it and they don't say it will void the warranty.
When I first got it in 03 I did a 2200 mile round trip, most of it at midwest altitudes and almost all of it at freeway speeds. Again, I was unable to detect any significant difference in mpg or power when I tried different tankfulls (tanksfull?) of all the grades.
The experts say if it runs fine on lower octane then use it. Anything more is a waste of money.
These octane arguments always seem to revolve around a quality issue which is simply not true. Higher octane gas is not more refined or "better" in any way other than it contains more of an antiknock additive for higher compression engines. Today's engine electronics, if I recall correctly, have to pass a test of running an engine on 82 octane. Up to OBD II one could get chips that would refine that programming so that mileage and performance would improve if high octane gas was used. Less true since then.
The manual, in my opinion, is kind of vague about it and they don't say it will void the warranty.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Honey Brook/Temple U
Originally Posted by FCallender
When gas prices started to rise above two bucks I went from midgrade 87 to regular 85. I could detect no change in power, no change in mileage (a steady 26, town and country) and the engine runs just as well. I do most of my driving from 7500 to 6000 ft. so octane isn't as much of an issue.
When I first got it in 03 I did a 2200 mile round trip, most of it at midwest altitudes and almost all of it at freeway speeds. Again, I was unable to detect any significant difference in mpg or power when I tried different tankfulls (tanksfull?) of all the grades.
The experts say if it runs fine on lower octane then use it. Anything more is a waste of money.
These octane arguments always seem to revolve around a quality issue which is simply not true. Higher octane gas is not more refined or "better" in any way other than it contains more of an antiknock additive for higher compression engines. Today's engine electronics, if I recall correctly, have to pass a test of running an engine on 82 octane. Up to OBD II one could get chips that would refine that programming so that mileage and performance would improve if high octane gas was used. Less true since then.
The manual, in my opinion, is kind of vague about it and they don't say it will void the warranty.
When I first got it in 03 I did a 2200 mile round trip, most of it at midwest altitudes and almost all of it at freeway speeds. Again, I was unable to detect any significant difference in mpg or power when I tried different tankfulls (tanksfull?) of all the grades.
The experts say if it runs fine on lower octane then use it. Anything more is a waste of money.
These octane arguments always seem to revolve around a quality issue which is simply not true. Higher octane gas is not more refined or "better" in any way other than it contains more of an antiknock additive for higher compression engines. Today's engine electronics, if I recall correctly, have to pass a test of running an engine on 82 octane. Up to OBD II one could get chips that would refine that programming so that mileage and performance would improve if high octane gas was used. Less true since then.
The manual, in my opinion, is kind of vague about it and they don't say it will void the warranty.
my old 626 recommended 91+ but my dad put 87 in once and the mileage and performance sucked. I don't care to try that again with my Z. In reality I would only save like $10 a month if I went from 93 to 87.
Nothing less than 93. If you want to pinch pennies sell your Z and buy a Honda Insight.
With lower octane gas the ecu will retard the ignition timing and increase your chance of knock. For a sports car like the Z paying the price of high octane gas is a must IMHO.
With lower octane gas the ecu will retard the ignition timing and increase your chance of knock. For a sports car like the Z paying the price of high octane gas is a must IMHO.
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
It looks like folks in the East can get "93"; best we can do in Cali is "91".
If "93" is tops in the East, what is the octane of the next highest grade?
If "93" is tops in the East, what is the octane of the next highest grade?
91-93 Octane at all times, and if they offered 100 Octane here I'd be filling her veins with that. Nothing but the best available for my *****, regardless of the extra dimes.
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From: the kid from greendale
Originally Posted by platinum350
Well, with gas prices getting so high I have to find out if it is really necesary to use 93+ octane gas. I heard about some News study that revealed that it's not really any better. My Z is stock w/ the exception of an JWT pop charger.
So I was curious what you guys are running.
So I was curious what you guys are running.
...besides i think the engineers at nissan understand the effects of premium fuel on your sportscar more than the news study does, imo.
i only use 93.
Originally Posted by CervanteZ
Still and no matter how high it gets, it will always be Chevron Premium. Nothing's too good for "chata" (my Z).
i've been saying the same thing for the past 6 years i've owned my cars...
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: montreal
The z requires 91 octane. anything less is no good, anything better shouldn't make a difference but it won't hurt the car thats for sure.
I don't know how the z handles below 91 oct. I do know that bmw's have a sensor and will cut the power accordingly to match the lower grade fuel. I'm assuming the z has the same system.
Either way no matter what, don't put less than 91 oct. 3~6 extra $ won't kill you so don't risk damagin your engine for it.
I don't know how the z handles below 91 oct. I do know that bmw's have a sensor and will cut the power accordingly to match the lower grade fuel. I'm assuming the z has the same system.
Either way no matter what, don't put less than 91 oct. 3~6 extra $ won't kill you so don't risk damagin your engine for it.
Only the best for my baby!
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
It looks like folks in the East can get "93"; best we can do in Cali is "91".
If "93" is tops in the East, what is the octane of the next highest grade?
If "93" is tops in the East, what is the octane of the next highest grade?
