255HP_03_SE

Just got back from a 1,400 mile trip this past weekend.

I was able to get 410 miles from 15.9 gallons of gas, did this several times running straight highway miles with an average MPH of around 70 to 75... an average of 25.8 MPG. Not bad. And that was running on 89 octane as well!

-R

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

Not bad, things will just improve

btw, why 89?

255HP_03_SE

Because of all the hype I've seen here and read about for gas octane levels and using 'premium' gasoline. I wanted to experiment and see what the outcome is. I'm finding it to be the same as what others did... when I use 92 or 93 octane (the premium levels sold at various stations), I get a lower MPG than when I use 89. We can have all the same debate as has happened before, with various 'experts' chiming in to give an engineering definition of what's better or worse, or why higher or lower octane results in a different MPG... we can also have the 'soothsayers' that will chime in and say that you will 'ruin' your engine if you run less than premium.

All I know is this... I ran nothing but 89 octane in my previous vehicle and it had a 3.5L in it as well. I got GREAT mileage with that vehicle (averaged 360 to 380 miles per tank city, 460 to 480 miles per tank highway). Same logic here... once in a while I put a tank of premium in it, but I will probably continue to run 89 in my Maxima.

To all of you soothsayers, before you flame... get this... it's MY car, MY choice. I'm willing to bet, as well, that my Max will last just as long as the same model/same year Max that is running 93 octane. I grew up with an auto mechanic and learned a lot about cars... I know that the biggest deal is keeping your car serviced on a regular basis, not the octane level of the gas that you run.

-R

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

I won't argue with you on the octane thing. But just for reference, i've been getting constant 30+ mpg on my ride - 93 octane from the start.

I almost wanted to go and use regular, but with gas prices back to where it was - i'd rather spend the extra $8 each month on 5 fill-ups in exchange for peace of mind.

Well, that and the fact that the variance in gas prices from station to station can be as much as 15cents. I could get 93 in one Chevron station for $1.49 or for the same price some 89 in another Chevron a couple miles away.

bigdo26

iTrader: (3)

i put in 3 gallons of 87 once cause my tank was empty and i couldnt justify paying 2.20 a gallon for 93 octane. but i could most definatly feel a difference... the car didnt want to go. havent tried 89, but probly will eventually. in the mean time, i'm happy usin the 93 cause i'm guaranteed a ping-free ride

jeepik

iTrader: (2)

while i will agree with you that running the max on 89 wont cuase any harm in performance and MPG

one thing i will tell you is this, if some **** goes down with your Maxima, and serois damage occurs
for examaple a blwon engine, a blwon transmission

this is exactly the type of thing the delaership will look at to void your warranty.

If Premium is reccomended, that means that's what they want you to use

Not saying anything will ever happen, lets hope it doesnt.

guapsnaman

I've always used premium gas in all my cars, even an 87 Stanza. I think that's the only things keep the car running. I was brought up using premium gas and using anything with an octane below 90 is a sin...

Oh and I wish I were running at 28 mpg all day...

JAKE02

How do you suppose the dealership is going to prove he used 89 octane vs 92/93 octane in the event he has trouble with his drivetrain? I dont see that happening....

jeepik

iTrader: (2)

simple octane ratings test takes no time at all
if it will come down to it they can and will test it

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

Ok this NOT a flame, but are you SURE you got 30+ mpg??????

Were you doing the math, or were you trusting the TRIP COMPUTER??


I KNOW my trip comp. is WAAAAy off, cause I haven't seen anything higher than 26 mpg on a hwy stint (93 oct).

Hey, if you're gettin' it -- more power to you!!


gr

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

Yep, calculated the old way. Actually the trip computer is completely off in my case... it's reading at 39mpg

IceY2K1

iTrader: (3)

What do you normally get on the 93-octane? Is 25.8 better or worse?

I wish I could get more than 23.xxx mpg on the hwy!!!

2001SE

depends how fast you go. i usually go 80-90mph average and i get 23mpg on the highway

people posted taht they drove 70-75 all the way and they got 28mpg on an automatic tranny. so you can see why they get better mpg

i personally would wish to drive 80-90mph average safely ofcourse and get home faster and not get better MPG

Jules Maximus

Damn, I run 89 in mine and the best I've seen is around 22mpg. I just got back from a weekend in Palm Springs and managed 300 miles on 14 gallons of gas. I average around 80mph on the freeway. My trip computer is way off also, reads 22 average when I'm really getting about 18mpg. Maybe I'll try a tank of 91 octane at my next fill-up.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

I get 29-31 MPG...calculating manually.

My trip shows 31-33.

I avg 50/50 or so Hwy to city driving....93octane

IceY2K1

iTrader: (3)

You must drive like an old lady or that 6spd really kicks ****.

For me:
City = 21-22mpg
Hwy = 23mpg <~~~85mph avg. w/100+mph jaunts

I FLY when I'm out on the hwy, so that's why my MPG sucks.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

Nah..not like a granny, but I dont drive like an idiot either. I shift regularly around 2500-3000 getting up to speed. Then I skip gears once I hit 40-45mph...I go straight to 6th.

I red line the old gal on average of .5 times a day throughout the week.....so there are a couple of hard runs included in the tank of gas.

92 SE-R 02 SE

i get about 350 to a tank, filled up last night and it was 16 gallons! How big is the tank in an 02 anyway?

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

IIRC, 18.5 gallons.

2003MaximaSi

I just got home from a long trip (450 miles). I calculated 29 mpg driving around 70 mph. My odometer is 100% correct (checked by GPS).
I'm using 87 octane. My dealer told me that they found nothing wrong with using 87. He actually told me to save some money and use 87. The car is running well. No pinging! BTW I've got an automatic.

trey

Ok, plenty is said about how your engine will pink and not run up to par with lower octane like 87 but has anyone actually experienced it?

255HP_03_SE

NO

Don't believe the hype.

That is why I say you can run 89 and not worry about it.

All of the soothsayers who say "oh, you'll blow your engine" or "oh, you'll blow your tranny (yeah, right)"... whatever.

-R

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

I, for one, don't think much about the ping. It's more on power production. The Maxima can handle the lower octane but with that comes lower power output.

One of the primary reasons i bought the Max was for the TQ and HP it puts out. At 87 octane or so i'm very sure power is retarded by a few hp/tq. If i wanted to go that route i would have settled for a Honda or similar which could very well provide slightly lower HP and TQ with regular.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

I've done 3 different tests on MPG on 87 vs 93. I get better MPG with 93, and enough to offset the price difference.

I do however agree with you on 87 blowing the engine.

255HP_03_SE

Well I am willing to bet that with 89 octane I will have just as much 'power output' as an 03 running 93.

-R

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

I'm gonna disagree. There is a noticable difference in power when I run 89 vs 93. I guess only the dyno will tell.

Or mabye SteVTEC will chime in with his God given engineering powers.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

BTW....how much $$ do you want to bet??

jjs

Octane ratings generally do not reflect 'power' differences, they indicate resistance to detonation (knock and ping).

Just one of many, many articles out there on this...

http://www.handymanusa.com/articles/octane.html

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

There is a difference.

jjs

Maybe to the ignorant.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

You just went on my shat list.

255HP_03_SE

Padsy... any time, any place. You run 93, I'll run 89.

Power difference due to octane, my DUPA!

-R

jjs

Like I haven't been there before!!!

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

No...not you. I love ya man!!!!!!

hokiemax

iTrader: (2)

can I chime in? I put 140,000 miles in my 98max in 4.5 years and I can attest to the mileage debate. Runnin 89 will NOT RUIN the engine, but I do get better mileage with 93. And from my personal experience, SHELL does suck and Chevron and MOBIL gives my car the best mileage. I thought MOBIL and EXXON would be the same since they're same company, but their fuels are definitely differnt. MOBIL is better than EXXON. At leat thats the case in Virginia. And with 89, my bro's 2k5spd pings horribly. I'm serious. He says the pingings are due to the bad coils on the 2k and 2k1s. I dont know if thats true or not, but 89 does ping and 93 doesnt. (on his car). But in all honesty, with strictly highway driving on cruise control, I dont think there will be a much difference with 89 and 93. Maybe 1-3 MPG but no more.

255HP_03_SE

I can attest to the bad coils on the 2k/2k1... the dealer told me about that.

-R

jjs

Uh, not quite. It comes from several different refineries with different additives, etc.

255HP_03_SE

especially in Chicago, where they add all the ethanol, etc.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

Well there ya go...........thats why you cant tell. Your gas isn't even pure.

alembicf1x

My grandma tells me she gets the same mileage from her 02 6-speed!