I wanted to know can i get away with putting in 89 octane in my 2000 Se automatic Max?

 

You may want to read this first.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=203139

 

As long as no one sees you

 

Everyone is an expert, and everyone has their own opinion. The book recommends one thing and another... lots of debate here.

From experience, I ran nothing but 89 octance in my previous car (1997 Dodge Intrepid w/3.5L), and I traded it on the Max just recently. The Dodge never had engine knock, had over 115k miles when I traded it, and was purring like a kitten. I had the best MPG by using 89 octane.

I realize the engine in the Max is a little different, but again... I would offer my opinion (NOTE: don't flame, it's an opinion) that 89 octane wouldn't hurt your Max. Personally, I am running premium as the Max is such an awesome car... but if I were to put 89 in it, I'm willing to bet it won't hurt it.

Ask your dealer... ask mechanics... don't trust the 'KIAs' on the org.

-R

 

dude...how do you compare a Maxima to a Dodge?? American cars are engineered for 87 octane...they run like **** on anything but......

If you run 89, you're asking for engine troubles down the road...spend the extra $$$ and buy premium...the Maxima and your pocket will thank you later.

 

American engines are no 'worse' than foreign engines. You have to listen to the engineers, not whether it was made in US or oversees.

That said, nissan says use 91 so I use either 91 or 89 sometimes. YOU WILL NOT 'HURT' YOUR ENGINE USING 89! Read the thread posted earlier and see who you believe. I'm starting to think 75% of the people on this board have no idea what 'octane' really means and does.

 

rest assured, I know what I'm talking about....either way, its ur car, do what you want. Run it on 89, 87, pure sugar for all I care; not my car

 

thank god now I can sleep at night

http://www.techweasel.com/articles/octane.htm
http://www.indianaobserver.com/2002/09/octane.html
http://www.handymanusa.com/articles/octane.html
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm
(there are hundreds... thousands more)

All I'm saying is 89 won't HURT your car as long as there's no knock/ping. It might give a little less HP, it might do the exact same as 91. Anything over 91 is a waste of money. So who to believe... you or everyone else?

 

As soon as you hear the knock, it's too late. Damage done. Don't rely on the knock sensor.

Nissan recommends 91, use 91. Maybe the Dodge only recommended 87? Who knows. There are also smokers who live to 100.

How much did you spend on your car? Are you really gonna worry about the extra $2 a week from buying 91+? If so, maybe you need to re-evaluate your budget.

 

There are also non-smokers who get lung cancer and die at 27 (rest assured, I know what I'm talking about).

So now, what did I say? I said I use 91 and sometimes 89 (when 91 isn't available) and Anything over 91 is a waste of money.

Of course all of this assumes you didn't do anything (like boost) to warrant needing higher octane.

 

so what part of the world do you live in where 91 isn't available?? I know in NY, we don't have 91, its 87, 89, 93 or 94 (Sunoco only)

and by you telling me that 91 isn't different than 93 or 94, you've got definite reality issues

 

Damn, would you please read EVERY word in a post before trying to make a smart-aleck remark? It isn't working

Please point out where I said 91 isn't different than 93. I said 93 is a waste of money, not that it's the same as 91.

 

debating with you is like talking to the wall; useless....

 

You're making no sense... I said 3 things:

89 will not 'hurt' your car
I use 91 or 89 if 91 isn't available
Anything over 91 is a waste of money

Please, prove me wrong because this is no more a debate than the Tyson/McNeeley fiasco was a boxing match... and you're going down hard (ancient boxing reference, but I happen to know McNeeley so it's fitting )

 

Its funny how such an innocent post triggers such (mini) battles


Chill folks - after all its Friday

Oh and to answer the original poster: I use 91 - recommended by the manual and also I don't want to skimp on a few dollars - I dropped about 23K into the car !!
Put 91 and be at peace ...

later....

 

The VQ utilizes knock sensors to retard timing to minimize knock. When you run lower octane gas, your ECU simply backs off on the ignition timing, reducing performance and fuel economy, but avoiding severe engine damage. Knock sensors detect sounds that will not be audible to the ear, so you will never hear anything, but you may, or at least claim, you feel reduced performance.

The bad thing about knock sensors is that they are REACTIVE, not PROACTIVE. In other words, knock must occur for the sensor send a signal to the ECU to retard the timing. So knock will occur, but is minimized. I would highly recommend using the manufacters recommended octane for maximum engine life and longevity. To put if bluntly, if you cannot afford high octane gas or are too cheap to buy it, consider getting a different car, or trade in for a 4cyl Altima.

Copied off Altimas.net

 

Don't worry about the car running on 87. I'm sure SHaBBY is 'cooking up' a lawsuit right now against Nissan to get them to change the octane recommendation for the max.

 

thanks, but my car has never run on 87 and I wasn't worried