Fuel for Nissan Altima Question?

Question

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima GXE with the 3.5 liter V6. I have asked several dealerships but no one will give me a straight answer. The owners manual says AT LEAST 89 Octane is "recommended for maximum performance". WILL USING 87 OCTANE OR E85 ETHANOL DAMAGE MY ENGINE?

Answer 1

No damage Will happen but why would you settle for less power and less fuel mileage? Your car is not designed to run E-85 do not use it! It would say flex fuel. I work for Nissan and get this question all the time your 3.5 engine is high compression and works better on the best premium fuel you can find. 20 cents more a gallon lets say 3 dollars more per fill up. Then two less miles a gallon on regular 87 than 91 a complete WASH. Check your fuel economy both types of fuel and I bet you stay with the good stuff. Some owners report 4 more miles a gallon with 91/92 or here in texas 93 octane.

Answer 2

87 should be OK. The car has a knock sensor so it can adapt. Ethanol I would not run unless the car is modified. E85 is more corrosive and can cause damage if to much is used. That's why that cant just change over not all cars are set up to run it.

Answer 3

Using them once in a while will not damage your engine. Continued use of lower octane fuel will cause performance problems, the Gas mileage will go down, Carbon will build up in your engine. Ethanol is also good for tanking gas mileage and clogging catalytic converters in general.

Answer 4

87 octane will be just fine in your car. I read an article on E85 that states all metal that E85 touches needs to be stainless steel. i.e. Fuel lines, gas tank, etc...
I would not risk the health of your car on E85.

Answer 5

No. The engine management computer should compensate for octane % as long as you are not climbing mountian sides everyday. The recommended octane number is for MAXIMUM performance on all levels inc economy, speed and torque.

Answer 6

You can't use E85 because it will dissolve some rubber parts. 87 octane fuel will reduce performance somewhat.

Answer 7

using a lower grade gas may cause pinging, a rattling noise that is sometimes heard while accelerating; it is very harmful to the pistons. using a higher quality gas will help reduce/eliminate pinging, and will usually let the engine run better. take a close look at the cost difference... does 2 or 3 dollars extra to fill your car with a better gas really mean that much? i always run midgrade, and never use the cheapest gas in town. it's worth it.

Answer 8

dont be silly. regular (unleaded) will not hurt your engine.
ALL CARS ARE MADE TO RUN ON 87 OCTANE.(REGULAR GAS)
if it runs sloppy, draggy, slow, then fill it with regular and buy a $4 octane booster or injector cleanr or gas-line de-icer, they are all the same. you can get a pack of 6 de-icers for like 2.99 at walmart, put in one bottle per tank of gas and you'll be all set.

odds are it'll run perfect on regular anyway.

Answer 9

If it doesn't ping you can use it but you might want to alternate between octanes or use half and half.