Your just wasting money if you don't use premiuim
10-31-2011, 12:48 PM
#121
I bet diesel will clean the motor pretty good......im gonna try that next time I fuel up. Clean motor means great gas mileage. I also think "the man" tries to lie to us so that "unleaded fuel recommended" on the gas filler door is a all just a ruse..... lol 
How do I turn off sarcasm in here?
Oh, and for the OP: I think that you are most likely correct about the grade having an effect on your car. Its hard for numbers to lie...so long as they are calculated correctly.
How do I turn off sarcasm in here?
Oh, and for the OP: I think that you are most likely correct about the grade having an effect on your car. Its hard for numbers to lie...so long as they are calculated correctly.
11-05-2011, 01:03 AM
#123
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Premium benefits
Hey i've been here for years but this is my new username i was c918. My specialist Nissan repair shop has always told me they saw more fuel related problems from users who always used regular gas especially O2 sensor problems. Ive always burned premium. i have 141000 miles on my 98 GXE with a manual and get 25mpg average. Just saying why risk it when the difference is 10% or less in cost?
11-05-2011, 07:13 AM
#125
This makes no sense at all....im pretty sure ALL 99's were cali spec as i have yet to see one FED spec...i got a 99 se-l fed spec engine from another car with cali ecu..and im averaging 18-20 around town and 26-28 on the highway and im missing ALLm o2 sensors and i got a bad map solenoid...mpg goes by how hard you accelerate and also tire tread. i got fx wheels on my car and im a 5 speed not even close to stock(mevi y pipe 2.5 inch exhaust random technologies cat no egr valve....lightweight flywheel etc etc etc.....and im getting good mileage...i think you need to change some plugs and do some cleaning to the tb and maf sensor among some other things if your mileage is that bad...put it this way....im throwing 25 codes for my emissions system due to a fed spec motor with cali spec ecu and missing parts that i just dont give a f**k about....
damn talk about not giving a **** haha 
11-06-2011, 01:53 PM
#129
11-07-2011, 07:32 PM
#134
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central Cali
Posts: 49
I've tried premium and regular from various gas stations and every single time I get 110 miles when it hits the 3/4 tank mark and 370 miles per tank. I notice no increase or decrease in performance. I'm sure premium does offer a bit of performance gain, but I can't tell in my completely stock car. I have no codes and no leaks. Car is great.
11-07-2011, 09:09 PM
#136
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 36
I studied up on this a few years back and I recall that octane will make a difference, but only up to the octane rating that the engine was designed for. If the engine is designed for 93 (compression ratio, head material, chamber design, etc.), then running less than 93 will cause knocking.
The knocking happens because at TDC the air/fuel mixture is on the edge of detonation. Once the plug lights a flame kernel, a shock wave goes through the mixture which detonates other flame fronts. When the multiple fronts collide, cylinder pressure spikes, causing a knock.
If a knock is detected, the ECU can delay ignition so that ignition takes place after TDC, when the air/fuel mixture is under lower pressure and less likely to detonate as a result of the initial flame kernel.
Retarding the ignition effectively lowers the compression ratio, reducing thermal efficiency, lowering power and economy.
The upshot is that octane rating below design targets will lower performance/economy but octane above design targets will not improve things.
I think.
The knocking happens because at TDC the air/fuel mixture is on the edge of detonation. Once the plug lights a flame kernel, a shock wave goes through the mixture which detonates other flame fronts. When the multiple fronts collide, cylinder pressure spikes, causing a knock.
If a knock is detected, the ECU can delay ignition so that ignition takes place after TDC, when the air/fuel mixture is under lower pressure and less likely to detonate as a result of the initial flame kernel.
Retarding the ignition effectively lowers the compression ratio, reducing thermal efficiency, lowering power and economy.
The upshot is that octane rating below design targets will lower performance/economy but octane above design targets will not improve things.
I think.
11-08-2011, 12:32 AM
#137
Regular fillup: $60.00
Premium fillup: $62.56
Difference of $2.56
If you're filling up with premium, you need to gain 13 miles over regular on a tank of gas in order for this to work. If you're getting less than 13 miles, you're better off sticking with regular. Since most members tracking their numbers are getting more than 13 additional miles when using Premium, it makes financial sense to use Premium.
Unless I'm doing the calculation wrong, you only need 4% increase MPG to make this work. It's not a whole lot, but then again, it's why this's a no-brainer. I mean, if you're getting 21mpg, you need to achieve 21.84 mpg on premium. I'll let the super techy guys explain if that .84mpg is possible on premium vs regular.
Dr J
Last edited by ThurzNite; 11-08-2011 at 12:38 AM.
11-08-2011, 12:41 AM
#138
Maybe all this would be easier to understand if we did like europeans do and not compare MPG, but litres-per-100km? Such as this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ec...llons_per_mile
Dr J
11-08-2011, 02:32 AM
#139
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Denver From Houston Lived in Boston
Posts: 242
Didn't think there would be this much interest in my thread.
Can some folks in here take a look at my newest thread.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...-progress.html
Any input is welcome only 2 people or so have chimed in.
tnx
11-08-2011, 02:01 PM
#140
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
I've never heard of it, and I didn't know about that actually. But I just know diesel is the only other thing that's offered and not unleaded, haha. I was just speaking for personal experience as the guy I quoted in my previous post was mixing up the differences between premium and unleaded.
As premium is still unleaded just a higher octane. But thank you for the information, the more you know.
Yeah, I'm only 18, haha. So that'd definitely be out of my age range, but thank you for clarifying with Br0nz for me.
Haha, I agree. The Unleaded only confused me at first which is what led me to research it and find out the differences but they never mentioned ""Tetraethyllead" in what I looked up.
As premium is still unleaded just a higher octane. But thank you for the information, the more you know.
Haha, I agree. The Unleaded only confused me at first which is what led me to research it and find out the differences but they never mentioned ""Tetraethyllead" in what I looked up.
11-10-2011, 05:30 PM
#141
Just over three months ago I got my dad's 95 SE with 100,640 miles. I've put almost 9000 miles (Yea, I drive over 120 miles per day to get to/from work) on it.
I have kept track of every fill (all fill-ups), miles driven between last fill-up and this one, gallons to top-off and total miles.
I have yet to get less than 29.8 mpg and no more than 31 mpg with 89, 91 and 93 octanes. All but three of my fill-ups have been at the same station, usually at the same pump and usually with 89 octane. The car runs the same with all grades.
My driving breaks down as follows
1.5 miles at 35mph (from driveway start)
7 miles at 55mph with one stop sign mid-way.
.5 miles at 35mph to usually red light right at freeway ramp
40 miles at 70mph - 72mph on the freeway
8 miles at 55mph on State Route between freeway exit and edge of city
3 miles ~35mph through city with 3-5 stop lights to my parking spot.
Reverse going home. I usually make "four trips" between fill ups. Haven't hit the low fuel light yet that way and usually put just under 16 gallons in. At that point the needle is smack in the middle of the Empty line. I've had one trip to/from/in an out of state city and put over 510 miles still without the light. Needle was WAY below the line.
I have kept track of every fill (all fill-ups), miles driven between last fill-up and this one, gallons to top-off and total miles.
I have yet to get less than 29.8 mpg and no more than 31 mpg with 89, 91 and 93 octanes. All but three of my fill-ups have been at the same station, usually at the same pump and usually with 89 octane. The car runs the same with all grades.
My driving breaks down as follows
1.5 miles at 35mph (from driveway start)
7 miles at 55mph with one stop sign mid-way.
.5 miles at 35mph to usually red light right at freeway ramp
40 miles at 70mph - 72mph on the freeway
8 miles at 55mph on State Route between freeway exit and edge of city
3 miles ~35mph through city with 3-5 stop lights to my parking spot.
Reverse going home. I usually make "four trips" between fill ups. Haven't hit the low fuel light yet that way and usually put just under 16 gallons in. At that point the needle is smack in the middle of the Empty line. I've had one trip to/from/in an out of state city and put over 510 miles still without the light. Needle was WAY below the line.
11-10-2011, 07:19 PM
#142
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Coarsegold, CA
Posts: 11
Just to add my 2 cents.............
I have two Maxima’s a 1995 SE A/T with 286,000 miles and a 2000 GLE 5 speed with 109,000 miles........
I commute 168 miles round trip to work and have for the last 6 years....
In back to back tests between regular and premium unleaded, in both vehicles, I found no difference in the fuel mileage....
I average 29.6 MPG with the 1995 and 28.4 MPG with the 2000....
I work nights and the average speed going to work is about 60 MPH and at 1:00AM on my return trip home I average about 75 MPH......
That's pretty good mileage at that speed...
Bob
I have two Maxima’s a 1995 SE A/T with 286,000 miles and a 2000 GLE 5 speed with 109,000 miles........
I commute 168 miles round trip to work and have for the last 6 years....
In back to back tests between regular and premium unleaded, in both vehicles, I found no difference in the fuel mileage....
I average 29.6 MPG with the 1995 and 28.4 MPG with the 2000....
I work nights and the average speed going to work is about 60 MPH and at 1:00AM on my return trip home I average about 75 MPH......
That's pretty good mileage at that speed...
Bob
11-10-2011, 10:43 PM
#145
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Denver From Houston Lived in Boston
Posts: 242
Just to add my 2 cents.............
I have two Maxima’s a 1995 SE A/T with 286,000 miles and a 2000 GLE 5 speed with 109,000 miles........
I commute 168 miles round trip to work and have for the last 6 years....
In back to back tests between regular and premium unleaded, in both vehicles, I found no difference in the fuel mileage....
I average 29.6 MPG with the 1995 and 28.4 MPG with the 2000....
I work nights and the average speed going to work is about 60 MPH and at 1:00AM on my return trip home I average about 75 MPH......
That's pretty good mileage at that speed...
Bob
I have two Maxima’s a 1995 SE A/T with 286,000 miles and a 2000 GLE 5 speed with 109,000 miles........
I commute 168 miles round trip to work and have for the last 6 years....
In back to back tests between regular and premium unleaded, in both vehicles, I found no difference in the fuel mileage....
I average 29.6 MPG with the 1995 and 28.4 MPG with the 2000....
I work nights and the average speed going to work is about 60 MPH and at 1:00AM on my return trip home I average about 75 MPH......
That's pretty good mileage at that speed...
Bob
11-11-2011, 10:45 AM
#146
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 12
If your mpg increased (or decreased) enough for you to actually notice, contribute it to your move. While changing geographically typically won't make that much of a difference. If you moved form somewhere like Louisiana, the significant change in altitude will effect combustion in general. A move from San Diego to Phoenix.....not so much.
11-11-2011, 10:53 AM
#147
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 19
I relied on premium gas for my motorcycle when I used to race motocross because I could feel the performance difference. But in my 96 Maxima, I haven't found any appreciable difference between gas grades. My 96 has never knocked or pinged and mileage is pretty consistent. Some cars "may" benefit for premium though ,especially if they are tuned for performance .If you change the timing, you may have ot run premium.
11-14-2011, 09:55 PM
#148
Meh, I've used premium since I bought my Maxima a year ago. I see no reason to use anything else because it really isn't that big of a difference in price. My brother had an Acura Legend and when he put regular in that you could tell..... but from what I've heard it really depends on the car. I think I might have put in regular maybe once or my girlfriend did it and I did notice a little lag going up the hill, but nothing really serious.
I really wouldn't have a problem putting regular in, but I see no reason to. Like I said, the price difference isn't all that much. The bigger thing for me is not getting gas from places like Arco.
I really wouldn't have a problem putting regular in, but I see no reason to. Like I said, the price difference isn't all that much. The bigger thing for me is not getting gas from places like Arco.
11-14-2011, 11:52 PM
#149
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fuk 301 it's 410 Bal Md black/purple.
Posts: 1,860
The reason this idle drop and rising is because the defrost button is on (on the climate control not the bezzle)and then you turn your heat on than the fans kick on and the engine is under load as if your using the a/c. The heat has nothing to do with the gas it's all electrical.
11-15-2011, 08:34 PM
#150
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 164
I have to disagree to one point early in this thread: I always get lower MPG in the winter, both city and highway driving, and a 10% difference at that. I am not surprised about the short trips, but the highway mpg is depressing in the winter, and points mostly to the gasoline. Two main reasons I can think of:
- longer warm ups use more fuel, especially for short trips.
- gasoline sold in the winter has less energy, probably due to the relaxed vapor pressure requirements.
I've read the denser cold air increases wind resistance, not sure how much. I get the poor winter highway mpg even at ambient temperatures of 60f, so I blame the gasoline. And since pump octane is the rage in the thread, all my mpg comparisons are using premium.
- longer warm ups use more fuel, especially for short trips.
- gasoline sold in the winter has less energy, probably due to the relaxed vapor pressure requirements.
I've read the denser cold air increases wind resistance, not sure how much. I get the poor winter highway mpg even at ambient temperatures of 60f, so I blame the gasoline. And since pump octane is the rage in the thread, all my mpg comparisons are using premium.
11-15-2011, 10:13 PM
#151
I have to disagree to one point early in this thread: I always get lower MPG in the winter, both city and highway driving, and a 10% difference at that. I am not surprised about the short trips, but the highway mpg is depressing in the winter, and points mostly to the gasoline. Two main reasons I can think of:
- longer warm ups use more fuel, especially for short trips.
- gasoline sold in the winter has less energy, probably due to the relaxed vapor pressure requirements.
I've read the denser cold air increases wind resistance, not sure how much. I get the poor winter highway mpg even at ambient temperatures of 60f, so I blame the gasoline. And since pump octane is the rage in the thread, all my mpg comparisons are using premium.
- longer warm ups use more fuel, especially for short trips.
- gasoline sold in the winter has less energy, probably due to the relaxed vapor pressure requirements.
I've read the denser cold air increases wind resistance, not sure how much. I get the poor winter highway mpg even at ambient temperatures of 60f, so I blame the gasoline. And since pump octane is the rage in the thread, all my mpg comparisons are using premium.
11-16-2011, 12:49 AM
#152
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Woodbridge VA
Posts: 138
After reading this thread, as well as my own thoughts about the octane level system, I think the question we need to be asking is "Are gas stations really selling us 3 different fuels?"
Think about it. Most pumps in this country are single nozzle with three buttons to choose which "grade" you want. Wouldn't that mean that if the person before you pumped 87 and you pump 93 that the different octanes are mixing together? That's just my thought on this. I truly think most gas stations are duping people with the whole octane level thing. Most of us won't tell because modern engines can retard or advance timing based on the fuel the engine is receiving. That's my 2 cents. I only use V Power or Sunoco fuel. I do use 93 because my experience is that it's cleaner and it usually gives me better MPG. There may be some truth into the whole argument, but it could be completely coincidental.
Think about it. Most pumps in this country are single nozzle with three buttons to choose which "grade" you want. Wouldn't that mean that if the person before you pumped 87 and you pump 93 that the different octanes are mixing together? That's just my thought on this. I truly think most gas stations are duping people with the whole octane level thing. Most of us won't tell because modern engines can retard or advance timing based on the fuel the engine is receiving. That's my 2 cents. I only use V Power or Sunoco fuel. I do use 93 because my experience is that it's cleaner and it usually gives me better MPG. There may be some truth into the whole argument, but it could be completely coincidental.
11-16-2011, 03:51 AM
#153
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tenn
Posts: 3
terrain and the longer drive
After reading the post I have to agree that seeing that much difference is not always the type of fuel, but the terrain and stop go distance. FACT...UPS now route's their truck drivers to making certain turns in the overall route to save fuel and become more efficient. My car did seem to want the good stuff at the pump and it is an overall factor in the increase, but. Not the only reason. Change cities, elevation, route, temp, terrain, etc... I live and drive in East Tennessee. Dailey route is 135 miles round trip. Yep. When I travel to FL for the corporate meetings and run around on the beach, city stop and go , and the big one terrain, I see better economy in FL. Flat grid in Tampa St pete, FL and better fuel economy. I think if you want to spend your money on fuel that’s your biz. I prefer to spend it in other ways. 87 Oct all the way here. Cars I service for my Fams... 96 Maxima, 05 Honda CRV, 02 Acura TL-Type S, 98 Toyota Camry, 93 Toyota Camry... All over 200k but the CRV with 150K. Unless your car REQUIRES the high octane don’t bother for commuting.
11-16-2011, 08:39 AM
#156
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tenn
Posts: 3
From UPS corp site Back-up on FACTS
Dont want to get in trouble because I am new to the forum, but had to repost this because I did say FACT... this link is to UPS pressroom about the routing I mentioned. Sorry the memo did not reach your location.
http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Fact+Sh...ing+Left+Turns
I joined because people told me this was the best forum online. I purchased my Maxima cheap and need to do a few repairs and gain advice from fellow 4th gen Maxima/Nissan owners. So please understand that I am not spam, I am an owner and love the car... photo for my garage coming soon. I also made a quick video of the day I purchased my maxima for $250.00 and drove it home...
http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Fact+Sh...ing+Left+Turns
I joined because people told me this was the best forum online. I purchased my Maxima cheap and need to do a few repairs and gain advice from fellow 4th gen Maxima/Nissan owners. So please understand that I am not spam, I am an owner and love the car... photo for my garage coming soon. I also made a quick video of the day I purchased my maxima for $250.00 and drove it home...
11-17-2011, 12:32 AM
#157
Dr J
11-17-2011, 02:03 PM
#160