I drive an acura which requires premium gasoline. I have tried regular to save the money, and the car seems to ride the same. Is there a risk?
2006-08-27 02:25:09 · 8 answers · asked by ecoblens 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Higher octanes prevent "knocking". Only very high compression ration engines actually require premium. You could always alternate, one week premium, next week regular, add a fuel injection cleaner to the gas tank when you change your oil
2006-08-27 02:31:05 · answer #1 · answered by JONES99679 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As most have stated your compression ratio determines whether you should use reg or premium.Having the best designed compression ratio for the best milage and engine integrity, is using the fuel it was designed for....premium.,or higher octane fuel. You can buy additves to reduce pinging, but your putting your money in the wrong place. Check your manual ,anywhere does it say to use regular gasoline when the prices go up? I am a retired mechanical engineer of thirty five years of working for a Fortune 500 company.(yet I"m 59 yrs old still thinking) I know from personal experience cars are designed to specific specs for very good and practical reasons. Computers don't automatically adjust to accept a lesser octane fuel, they just try to make the best of a bad situation. Audi's, Passants, and several cars use the higher octane gasoline. I wouldn't be afraid of alternating the next lower octane gas with the recommended octane requirement, every other fill up,and now days if you can't afford a fill up, ratio the no of gallons. The dumbest thing we do is to change our oil every 3.000 mi instead of what is recommended(probably around 7,500). So in my opinion the auto engineers aren't trying to get you to follow a ridiculous standard, anymore than tire manufacturers want you to keep proper pressure's and rotate. If you trade every year,or every 3 years you can probably get away with it ,at what price ? Your integrety! Pass on potential problems to someone else.To truly convince yourself write to the manufacturer,I've done it when I suspected marketing gimmicks, and was surprised at some of the information I learned. But I never take just anybodies word to deviate from specs. I used to think differently until my exposure to the real world of engineering. And I mean hands on engineering not just from a book and desk. Do what you think is right for you. . Did you know this car required high octane gas when you bought it. A good mechanic can also give some advise, depends on how much work and effort you want to do. Or are you just looking for justification. You can find that anywhere. Good luck!
2006-08-27 03:36:20 · answer #2 · answered by Benj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you really. Before you dismiss me do this. Run a tank of regular in normal driving record the mileage at fill up and run 3/400 miles then fill up with the premium and write down the miles divide the gallons into the miles first tank of regular. now drive 350/450 miles and fill up again do the math. most cars with high compression engines these days are designed for premium only. Pinging on acceleration will cause the engine to slow down the ignition timing and use more fuel Resulting change on low octane three or four miles a gallon over 14/16 gallons cost of better gas is a wash.
2006-08-27 02:38:33 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seriously doubt if there's a risk involved here.
Phillips 66, 93 octane is the best fuel I've tried. I would keep using 93 octane but advise you to use the Phillips 66 brand.
I drive a 4 cylinder. Differences in fuel are more 'visible' with a smaller engine not unlike mine. I've tried most all major gasoline and Phillips 66 is rated tops by me. Also, you can expect better mileage with Phillips 66.
Mack
2006-08-27 02:42:48 · answer #4 · answered by Mack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Today's cars have a knock sensor built into the electronic controls of the motor. Sounds to me if your car runs okay on regular instead of premium your knock sensor is working and adjusting the timing automatically to compensate for the lower octane rating of regular vs. premium. If it's running okay then just ruin regular. As far as risk is concerned the Acura is a throw away car so you're going to drive it a while and trade it in anyway....right? People that are anal about this sh*t will tell you "OMG...you'll ruin the motor!!!"...Bullsh*t....drive the sumbytch and don't worry about it!
2006-08-27 02:33:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
premium gas burns cleaner.just run a tank of premium every 5th tank
2006-08-27 02:35:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
premium is beter on milage but reg. is cheaper
2006-08-27 02:27:54 · answer #7 · answered by Zack L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your car does not ping. Then dont worry about it use regular
2006-08-27 02:32:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋