Your just wasting money if you don't use premiuim
#41
Mature.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
Now for instance some newer cars have the ability to both retard ignition timing and advance ignition timing. That way depending on what octane you run you can decrease or increase performance. There is plenty of dynos and tests that have been done to prove this. The engine of a car is not as simple as you think it is.
Now does using different octane affect gas mileage? The answer can be yes or no. Well how come some people report better mileage with higher octane? Well either those people are just imagining it or they are not pushing their car as "hard" since they have an increase in performance. So you can argue that it does or does not affect the mpg whichever way you decide to look at it.
For instance "breathing" mods, if you will, are supposed to increase mpg but most of us who mod our cars drive it "harder" with each mod so we never see an increase and almost always see a decrease.
You can argue all day about how you think octane doesn't do this or that and your probably right on a lot of things since people have a total misconception about the difference, most people don't know what octane is and just think the more you pay the "better" or "cleaner" the gas is, etc.
But you can't argue against facts such as ignition timing, that is not a myth. If you ask anyone that tracks their car they will run higher octanes even up to 100 and advance their timing to get that extra performance. Ignition timing is a big factor when it comes to performance and optimizing it is one of the biggest parts of tuning.
I'm part of a VW forum and the took a 2.5L I5 MKV engine and dyno'd it under the same circumstance just to prove that different octanes does affect performance. Here's the link http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/p...ven/index.html
Now yes the VW is a different beast but the same concept of the lower octane rating retarding our ignition timing, resulting in the loss of power, applies to us.
#42
My two cents worth:
I first purchased my car almost 2 years ago. In the beginning I loaded up with premium bu then, I too, figured I'd throw in the regular to save money. Shortly afterwards my check engine light came on. I didn't realize what was happening at the time, and eventually it shut itself off. I noticed that it wasn't a steady issues; Sometimes it would show, other times it wouldn't. Especially if I accelerated hard.
I began using premium again because I figured maybe that would have something to do with it. Eventually the light turned off again. Next re-fuel: Premium. etc, etc...
I began driving the car hard again, wanting to see if I could get the light to turn back on, but nothing. Then decided to fill it with regular one more time to see if my theory was correct. Upon filling it up with 87, I beat the **** out of it and, low and behold, the CES light came back on.
Maybe you get better gas mileage, maybe you don't, but you certainly get knock sensor codes going off like a mother. I've since made it a point to keep to premium, and have yet to see my Check Engine Light on again. I love my 12 year old SE-L running on premium. It runs excellently and doesn't really cost that much more over regular (figure a 5 dollar difference per re-fuel).
In the end, what's a couple extra dollars for peace of mind?? I'll take it
I first purchased my car almost 2 years ago. In the beginning I loaded up with premium bu then, I too, figured I'd throw in the regular to save money. Shortly afterwards my check engine light came on. I didn't realize what was happening at the time, and eventually it shut itself off. I noticed that it wasn't a steady issues; Sometimes it would show, other times it wouldn't. Especially if I accelerated hard.
I began using premium again because I figured maybe that would have something to do with it. Eventually the light turned off again. Next re-fuel: Premium. etc, etc...
I began driving the car hard again, wanting to see if I could get the light to turn back on, but nothing. Then decided to fill it with regular one more time to see if my theory was correct. Upon filling it up with 87, I beat the **** out of it and, low and behold, the CES light came back on.
Maybe you get better gas mileage, maybe you don't, but you certainly get knock sensor codes going off like a mother. I've since made it a point to keep to premium, and have yet to see my Check Engine Light on again. I love my 12 year old SE-L running on premium. It runs excellently and doesn't really cost that much more over regular (figure a 5 dollar difference per re-fuel).
In the end, what's a couple extra dollars for peace of mind?? I'll take it
#43
I never understood why people put lower octane fuel in than what is recommended by Nissan. I definitely understand money being tight, but you only save at most 4 or 5 bucks on a full tank of gas, depending on prices where you live. It doesn't seem worth it to me.
When my money is tight, I change the way I drive. its much more effective.
When my money is tight, I change the way I drive. its much more effective.
#44
Mature.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
#45
Octane readings determine the fuel's ability to resist detonation, higher the number, the more resistant, they don't determine the fuels performance qualities. If your engine isn't knocking then you don't need to run higher octane. 10.0:1 is not a high compression engine.
#46
~400 miles/week, daily driver to/from work. Test ran over 1 month, so just over 4 tankfuls of gas per month. Tried 1 month on regular, tried 1 month on premium, another regular and finished with premium. Averaging it all out, there's a significant cost savings using premium. Better mpg offset higher per-gallon price of premium.
Wish I knew the science behind it, I just know I save $. Knocking is another story. It seemed like everytime I put in regular, it was more likely to knock.
Just for the heck of it, someone should set up a test, collect $5 donations towards gas, and do this for a few months to report back.
Dr J
Wish I knew the science behind it, I just know I save $. Knocking is another story. It seemed like everytime I put in regular, it was more likely to knock.
Just for the heck of it, someone should set up a test, collect $5 donations towards gas, and do this for a few months to report back.
Dr J
#47
~400 miles/week, daily driver to/from work. Test ran over 1 month, so just over 4 tankfuls of gas per month. Tried 1 month on regular, tried 1 month on premium, another regular and finished with premium. Averaging it all out, there's a significant cost savings using premium. Better mpg offset higher per-gallon price of premium.
Wish I knew the science behind it, I just know I save $. Knocking is another story. It seemed like everytime I put in regular, it was more likely to knock.
Just for the heck of it, someone should set up a test, collect $5 donations towards gas, and do this for a few months to report back.
Dr J
Wish I knew the science behind it, I just know I save $. Knocking is another story. It seemed like everytime I put in regular, it was more likely to knock.
Just for the heck of it, someone should set up a test, collect $5 donations towards gas, and do this for a few months to report back.
Dr J
Who knows. Maybe since the ignition timing is not having to keep being retarded the engine has more power per revolution and requires less fuel to keep the car moving. When I drove from Boston To Houston I was getting 29-31 mpg on avg with prem fuel. This test I conducted was only city driving. Should have been higher than that but I was running the A/C at 75MPH and had a back seat/truck full of stuff atleast 300 pounds worth.
Last edited by augnon; 10-26-2011 at 10:19 AM.
#48
I actually just had to prove this concept that 91 octane on up is better for the maxima than 87 or lower grade gas. (she drives the 2001, and I have my 95 Maxima)
We went on a road trip in June from Fort Myers Florida on up to Ashville North Carolina. On our trip up we ONLY us 87 octane and recorded how many gallons we used and how many miles we went and filled up twice along the way and once as soon as we got to the outskirts of town. We averaged 26.9 MPG
Two weeks later when we went back to FL we stopped at the same gas station and Filled up before we left at the same gas station that we filled up at when we got into town, except we ran 91-93 Octane and we average 30.3 taking the same roads back to fort myers
We went on a road trip in June from Fort Myers Florida on up to Ashville North Carolina. On our trip up we ONLY us 87 octane and recorded how many gallons we used and how many miles we went and filled up twice along the way and once as soon as we got to the outskirts of town. We averaged 26.9 MPG
Two weeks later when we went back to FL we stopped at the same gas station and Filled up before we left at the same gas station that we filled up at when we got into town, except we ran 91-93 Octane and we average 30.3 taking the same roads back to fort myers
#49
I typically used 93 octane in my maxima. i have only used 89 (we have 89,91 and 93 where i live) and i didnt notice a big difference. One thing i did notice in the maxima is when i switched from ethenol enriched gas to non ethenol enriched gas, my car got better gas mileage and ran better.
#50
I only used premium fuel if my car calls for it. Otherwise, it's a waist of money. For awhile, I was using mid-grade for my maxima and everyone (family members only) what drove it noticed the difference in response.....sluggish. I noticed it too but at $4.55/gallon for premium, I didn't care anymore since it's an old car. Now that prices are down a bit, I started using premium again and everyone noticed the sluggishness is gone. I agree with them.
#51
Plenty of turbo, and supercharged street cars run compression ratios MUCH higher than 5:1, many are in the 9.5-10.5:1, there's a few NA's listed there that are running 12:1. Fords, Chevys, Dodge (Dakota 5.9L runs 8.9:1, the lower displacement models are both above 9:1) all typical run 9:1+. 10:1 is not a "high compression" engine. I'll buy that they recommend premium so that the ECU can run advanced timings, that makes sense, but it isn't because it's high compression ratio.
#53
Ahh maxima owners....
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
#54
The engine doesn't know what octane gas you put in, it relies on the knock sensor, and other sensors, to detect detonation, and emissions to maintain air/fuel mixtures, and add/take away fuel, retard timing as necessary.
#55
Plus do you not count any of the sensors or electrical equipment that function with the engine as part of it or the car Really don't know where you were going with that.
#56
Ahh maxima owners....
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
#57
I always use Shell V-Power and a lucas injector cleaner at fill up. I'm also switching over to Royal purple on my next oil change. Plasibo effect or not I Feel like all these things make an impact on my Maxima.
I get more power from 91 vs 85 and after putting purple in my buddy's 01' Maxima I've noticed a difference in how the engine runs and a slight increase in power. Besides it's only $10 more an oil change for purple and .08 cents more to use premium.
Stop cheeping out on your Maxima guys. I make a crummy $9 an hour and still manage to shave some money aside for the good stuff. Because of it, my Maxima gets me where I need to go even with over 250,000 miles.
I get more power from 91 vs 85 and after putting purple in my buddy's 01' Maxima I've noticed a difference in how the engine runs and a slight increase in power. Besides it's only $10 more an oil change for purple and .08 cents more to use premium.
Stop cheeping out on your Maxima guys. I make a crummy $9 an hour and still manage to shave some money aside for the good stuff. Because of it, my Maxima gets me where I need to go even with over 250,000 miles.
#58
I dont understand people who cheap out on gas for a mere $3 difference. These are usually the same people that put in regular and while its filling up, go inside and come back out with coca cola, cheetos, candy and gum.
#59
I always use Shell V-Power and a lucas injector cleaner at fill up. I'm also switching over to Royal purple on my next oil change. Plasibo effect or not I Feel like all these things make an impact on my Maxima.
I get more power from 91 vs 85 and after putting purple in my buddy's 01' Maxima I've noticed a difference in how the engine runs and a slight increase in power. Besides it's only $10 more an oil change for purple and .08 cents more to use premium.
Stop cheeping out on your Maxima guys. I make a crummy $9 an hour and still manage to shave some money aside for the good stuff. Because of it, my Maxima gets me where I need to go even with over 250,000 miles.
I get more power from 91 vs 85 and after putting purple in my buddy's 01' Maxima I've noticed a difference in how the engine runs and a slight increase in power. Besides it's only $10 more an oil change for purple and .08 cents more to use premium.
Stop cheeping out on your Maxima guys. I make a crummy $9 an hour and still manage to shave some money aside for the good stuff. Because of it, my Maxima gets me where I need to go even with over 250,000 miles.
I ran lucasoil once and my car ran like sh*t that entire fill up. I never ran it again.
I only tried it cuz i was tryin to cheap out and not spend the 8 bucks for the Chevron techron. never again bro, only techron for me!
#60
#61
Ok don't know why you replied with that but like I said the car will retard timing. Its not necessary unless you put lower octane gas plain and simple.
Plus do you not count any of the sensors or electrical equipment that function with the engine as part of it or the car Really don't know where you were going with that.
Plus do you not count any of the sensors or electrical equipment that function with the engine as part of it or the car Really don't know where you were going with that.
#62
and to those who are using the age of the car as an argument against spending more for gas, why not just get a newer car? cars should be properly maintained regardless of age.
#63
#66
So many variables.
In these many octane arguments, too often what's left out of the equation is the human factor. If you drive like "driving miss daisy"....all slow and careful, you will get great mileage with 87 octane. But you will get even better mileage with 93. The VQ will compensate once you give it top shelf stuff. HAHA!
And because you may drive miss daisy style, you are less likely to notice a power difference. But if you measure your gas mileage per tank, the 93 tank will always be better. Always. Always. That's why premium is recommended.
Secondly, altitude. For those in Denver (a mile above sea level), especially given a normally aspirated car like the VQ, since there is less air up there, a maxima in Denver is less likely to need premium than a maxima on the coast. 93 might in fact be a waist in Denver, but once you get to denser air, put in 93 and drop the hammer baby
DW
In these many octane arguments, too often what's left out of the equation is the human factor. If you drive like "driving miss daisy"....all slow and careful, you will get great mileage with 87 octane. But you will get even better mileage with 93. The VQ will compensate once you give it top shelf stuff. HAHA!
And because you may drive miss daisy style, you are less likely to notice a power difference. But if you measure your gas mileage per tank, the 93 tank will always be better. Always. Always. That's why premium is recommended.
Secondly, altitude. For those in Denver (a mile above sea level), especially given a normally aspirated car like the VQ, since there is less air up there, a maxima in Denver is less likely to need premium than a maxima on the coast. 93 might in fact be a waist in Denver, but once you get to denser air, put in 93 and drop the hammer baby
DW
#68
Whats the best oil?
Whats the best springs?
Whats the best struts?
Should I flush my trans?
Should I go with platinum or iridium plugs?
Whats the best brake pads and rotors?
What coolant should I use?
CAI or SRI?
What should I tune with?
Whats the best sounding exhaust?
Any pics of white max with black rims?
Whats the best springs?
Whats the best struts?
Should I flush my trans?
Should I go with platinum or iridium plugs?
Whats the best brake pads and rotors?
What coolant should I use?
CAI or SRI?
What should I tune with?
Whats the best sounding exhaust?
Any pics of white max with black rims?
#69
So many variables.
In these many octane arguments, too often what's left out of the equation is the human factor. If you drive like "driving miss daisy"....all slow and careful, you will get great mileage with 87 octane. But you will get even better mileage with 93. The VQ will compensate once you give it top shelf stuff. HAHA!
And because you may drive miss daisy style, you are less likely to notice a power difference. But if you measure your gas mileage per tank, the 93 tank will always be better. Always. Always. That's why premium is recommended.
Secondly, altitude. For those in Denver (a mile above sea level), especially given a normally aspirated car like the VQ, since there is less air up there, a maxima in Denver is less likely to need premium than a maxima on the coast. 93 might in fact be a waist in Denver, but once you get to denser air, put in 93 and drop the hammer baby
DW
In these many octane arguments, too often what's left out of the equation is the human factor. If you drive like "driving miss daisy"....all slow and careful, you will get great mileage with 87 octane. But you will get even better mileage with 93. The VQ will compensate once you give it top shelf stuff. HAHA!
And because you may drive miss daisy style, you are less likely to notice a power difference. But if you measure your gas mileage per tank, the 93 tank will always be better. Always. Always. That's why premium is recommended.
Secondly, altitude. For those in Denver (a mile above sea level), especially given a normally aspirated car like the VQ, since there is less air up there, a maxima in Denver is less likely to need premium than a maxima on the coast. 93 might in fact be a waist in Denver, but once you get to denser air, put in 93 and drop the hammer baby
DW
I posted links to what the government and a couple of other expert sites say onthe subject. If you want to believe you get better gas mileage, add premium. Nissan recommends premium for one reason. To cover their ***. That's it.
#70
Ahh maxima owners....
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
Lets save the drama, this is Maxima.org, the same place where a guy thrives on selling knockoff mods for ONLY SIX DOLLARS less, of course people are going to argue that their 87 performs just as well as 91/93.
So in the end, keep putting 87 in your car, just remember, I always will get better MPG than you.
If you take that to the extreme, you could get race gas that gives uber performance, but costs so much that you never "make" that money back (vs regular).
For many owners of older cars, we're just trying to keep our cars running, which's a money pit of maintenance. The 1 place we can "win" on economy is at the gas pump, and using the seemingly counter intuitive premium gas.
Dr J
#71
Why stop at 93? Head on down to the local airport and put some 110 in. Or the local track and buy some U4 or U12. Guaranteed to give you 50mpg, right? I mean it is higher octane.
I posted links to what the government and a couple of other expert sites say onthe subject. If you want to believe you get better gas mileage, add premium. Nissan recommends premium for one reason. To cover their ***. That's it.
I posted links to what the government and a couple of other expert sites say onthe subject. If you want to believe you get better gas mileage, add premium. Nissan recommends premium for one reason. To cover their ***. That's it.
It's like talking about politics or religion
It's just gas, yo!
You do you, my friend.
I have a 98 Civic that will never see anything but 87 octane so long as I own it. And my 98 I30 will only use 93.
I recently took a road trip from LA to NY. Measured gas mileage per tank for the whole trip. On average I was getting 23-24 mpg for the tank. At one stop in the mid-west, for some reason 90 was the highest octane available. I filled it up and sure enough I got the worst gas mileage on that tank for the entire trip. 20 mpg. Go figure.
DW
Last edited by dwapenyi; 10-26-2011 at 03:33 PM.
#72
^^^ and I have alternated between 87 and 93, using the same gas station and driving the same route since I bought my 98 SE 2 months ago. This is a mixture of city, freeway and mountain driving here in Cali. I use an app on my phone to record exact fill-up cost, gallons used and miles driven. Regardless of the octane, it has been darn near exactly 21mpg every single time. if it wasn't for the steep uphill climbs on the mountains, I'm sure I'd be well over 25mpg.
But that is just my car and my ever so normal, plain-Jane, OEM engine.
But that is just my car and my ever so normal, plain-Jane, OEM engine.
#73
When I first put fuel injector cleaner in my tank it ran horrible for about 2 fill ups. After that it ran smoother than before using that cleaner.
Do a google search for a crapping running car after using fuel injector cleaner.
#74
I see this debate on the motorcycle forums alot. My bike for example, requires 87 yet some many members on the vfr board say I am crazy for using 87 instead of 93. Bottom line is not to try and out-engineer Nissan. Unless you have mods which would reqire a higher octane using more than is recommend is wasting money. There is a plethora of research on the topic.
#75
I see this debate on the motorcycle forums alot. My bike for example, requires 87 yet some many members on the vfr board say I am crazy for using 87 instead of 93. Bottom line is not to try and out-engineer Nissan. Unless you have mods which would reqire a higher octane using more than is recommend is wasting money. There is a plethora of research on the topic.
#76
*edit*
Run whatever gas you want to run.
46-50* BTDC (Need more trials w/ race gas, 93 octane isn't enough ) / 30 City MPG / 34 Combined Driving / 36 Highway / 40.1 mpg highest recorded.... All on 93/91 octane
Run whatever gas you want to run.
46-50* BTDC (Need more trials w/ race gas, 93 octane isn't enough ) / 30 City MPG / 34 Combined Driving / 36 Highway / 40.1 mpg highest recorded.... All on 93/91 octane
Last edited by aackshun; 10-27-2011 at 01:51 PM.
#77
I always run prem cause it is just better and exactly what the TP said, however my main reason I tell people that have no clue what they are taking about when they say "oh gas is gas it doesn't matter'" (I get this a lot from old school mechs) I say I mainly put it in because I have my Knock sensor by passed. lol Ooops. and they shut up from there. I mean less knock=less problems.
#78
Funny thing is... The only people supporting 87 Octane in this thread, are the ones who have NO idea what their motor+ecu is doing every single ignition cycle.
And yes, I do run race gas on occasion when it's hot outside because I know how my ECU is going to run my motor via weather conditions, thus why I have some sensors unplugged so it won't make any on the fly adjustments to hinder performance.
No our cars aren't as advanced as the Ford Cayote, but it still runs ignition timing based on the sames rules the Cayota ECU uses, just with less sensors and more guessing.
If I was in a better mood I would post log sheets of what the motor is doing pending Octane, but no way in hell that's gonna happen? You know why? Because Maxima.org, as soon as I take the time to fully explain a topic, no one says ****, or just says it's full of bull**** and doesn't say anything else to back it up.
So you know what? Run 87, enjoy mediocrity, you do own a 90's family sedan, so you're accustomed to that by now
46-50* BTDC (Need more trials w/ race gas, 93 octane isn't enough ) / 30 City MPG / 34 Combined Driving / 36 Highway / 40.1 mpg highest recorded.... All on 93/91 octane
And yes, I do run race gas on occasion when it's hot outside because I know how my ECU is going to run my motor via weather conditions, thus why I have some sensors unplugged so it won't make any on the fly adjustments to hinder performance.
No our cars aren't as advanced as the Ford Cayote, but it still runs ignition timing based on the sames rules the Cayota ECU uses, just with less sensors and more guessing.
If I was in a better mood I would post log sheets of what the motor is doing pending Octane, but no way in hell that's gonna happen? You know why? Because Maxima.org, as soon as I take the time to fully explain a topic, no one says ****, or just says it's full of bull**** and doesn't say anything else to back it up.
So you know what? Run 87, enjoy mediocrity, you do own a 90's family sedan, so you're accustomed to that by now
46-50* BTDC (Need more trials w/ race gas, 93 octane isn't enough ) / 30 City MPG / 34 Combined Driving / 36 Highway / 40.1 mpg highest recorded.... All on 93/91 octane
I fell you aackshun it seems like anything I post thats useful is always questioned or ignored as well.
But you don't know what your talking about its all a myth
#79
Mature.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
All I can suggest to you is to check the manual. (in case you need help, page 10-2) The manual "recommends" 91 octane. It does not mandate 91 octane.
And a Maxima does nt have a high compression engine. I find that actually amusing. And no, our engines will not pre-detonate using 87 octane. And if you think Nissan is 'recommending' anything for your benefit, then you really are ignorant to the ways of the world.
#80
Why stop at 93? Head on down to the local airport and put some 110 in. Or the local track and buy some U4 or U12. Guaranteed to give you 50mpg, right? I mean it is higher octane.
I posted links to what the government and a couple of other expert sites say onthe subject. If you want to believe you get better gas mileage, add premium. Nissan recommends premium for one reason. To cover their ***. That's it.
I posted links to what the government and a couple of other expert sites say onthe subject. If you want to believe you get better gas mileage, add premium. Nissan recommends premium for one reason. To cover their ***. That's it.