mike350

Hey guys...glad to be part of the forum. I own a '30 silvertone 350z and love every second of it. Except of course, at the end of the day when I lock it up and think about all the milage I put on it. But o'well I bought it to be driven.

So my question is...mostly out of curiousity.

I know the manual recommends premium gas...which I put in. However, if I put mid grade in once in a while, will that kill the engine? Just a thought for discussion...thanks!

davidv

iTrader: (2)

The manual recommends 91 octane gasoline. Why not stick with the recommendation by auto engineers who are much smarter than I am?

cessna

I hear ping's if I'm on the 89' or lower....

Z_Driver

iTrader: (3)

First off - The gas door on my 350Z says USE PREMIUM FUEL ONLY. It doesn't say PREMIUM FUEL RECOMMENDED like my Pathfinder with this VQ Motor. For those that do not know the Pathfinder is rated at 260HP and the Z at 287HP.

It is just not worth the $3-4 you'll save. You'll get better mileage with the premium so it works out about the same cost anyways. The other pluses are you get better performance, and you won't have to worry about burning valve seats and the such if you use the premium. Heck, I even see the same pattern on my Pathfinder with this VQ motor. NISSAN only "recommends" premium for it. It just runs better, and get better mileage. My folks have a indentical Pathfinder. My Step-father say it only recommends Premium. So, he puts in regular and the complains that he doesn't get the same mileage I get out of my Pathfinder. He gets about 2mpg less than I do. That's like two gallon per tankful. @ $3 a gallon that's $6. He also drives a lot more conservative than I do. He always has. Therefore, I just keep putting premium in. It's not that much more. jmho

I really think pushing 300HP on a six cylinder requires premium taking the exprience that I have gained over the past 5 years. You might be able to get away with it for a while but, your not saving any money if that is what you are thinking.

I only wish I could get 93 octane in California. 91 is the best I can go here.

Jcolman

I've seen dealers put regular gas in a vehicle that requires premium. Their premise is that the car has knock sensors that will retard the timing if you burn lower grade fuel and it saves them a few bucks on test drives.

In my opinion, it's not worth it. I didn't buy this car because it was cheap to run. A tankful of premium vs. regular costs me about what I'd pay for a large coffee at Starbucks. Bottom line, I think you can get away with running lower grade fuel from time to time but if saving two or three dollars a tankful is that important to you, maybe you need to rethink why you bought this car in the first place.

CAN0802

I don't know what your midgrade gas is, but if 91 is your midgrade, you can use it without fear. I don't know who made the decision, but not really being able to get anything higher than 91 really makes me mad. I remember in Texas, they had 93 at most stations. I don't think it is right to be able to charge the same amount for substandard gas in some parts of the country.

hypeiv

iTrader: (2)

texas its 93-89-87

93 is $.20 more than 89 so I would save about $12 a month if I decided to get the not so good stuff, assuming I get the same gas mileage with the 89 which I doubt I would. Man think of all the things I could do if I had an extra $12 every month.

I really don't get people not using what it says in their manual... do you think premium gas is a scam for suckers and everyone in the world is falling for it?

jakedajewel

+1. ur right, if im paying the same price for 91 octane than a person in TX getting 93 octane, than that's some unfair BS.

hypeiv

iTrader: (2)

I'd be willing to bet you pay more

gaspricewatch.com

5 miles from 75082 - $2.65 for 93
5 miles from 90210 - $3.09 for 91

TeCKNeiC

Why be cheap? Take care of your FairLady.

mike350

thanks for the feedback guys...just looking to see what all of you thought about it, thats all. JColman, I won't rethink my car...did I mention saving two dollars was important to me? All I'm trying to do is learn more about my car...and chat with some cool folks who have something in common with me.

mike350

and it's not about being cheap...simply just curious about the octane differences and what the car can and can't handle.

Z_Driver

iTrader: (3)

Wise man. And really, it isn't good to use more octane than you need. I mean like putting premium in a corolla is a waste. So, it was wise to ask. Those corolla engines not designed to burn premium gas and it causes deposits on those smaller engines.

From my exprience, the VQ likes and really needs premium as we have said earlier in this thread.

350z bra

iTrader: (12)

i average 15 bucks a day jus for gas... get use to it!