5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.
View Poll Results: who really uses 91 octane
I use 87
1
1.45%
I use 89
1
1.45%
I use 91
11
15.94%
I use 91+
56
81.16%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

What's the deal with 91 octane (my babies 4 days old)

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Old 03-21-2001 | 12:21 PM
  #1  
slord
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I believe according to the owners manual that the fuel used should be 91 octane for engine knock, performance, etc...
With the price of gas I really do not want to pay for the premium if I do not have too, but I will if it keeps the engine from being damaged.
Any thoughts out there?
Old 03-21-2001 | 12:34 PM
  #2  
bry2kse's Avatar
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Originally posted by slord
I believe according to the owners manual that the fuel used should be 91 octane for engine knock, performance, etc...
With the price of gas I really do not want to pay for the premium if I do not have too, but I will if it keeps the engine from being damaged.
Any thoughts out there?
I have always put either 93 or a 50/50 mix of 93 and 89 into my 2K.

There has been quite a bit of speculation in previous threads as to what gas to use. 87 is out of the question as it limits power and has worse gas milage. To me it's worth the extra $.50 per tank to fill it with the higher octane (Though if 91 was avail local.. I would be happy to use that)
My opinion: If you are worried about cost.. mix half and half 89 and 93.
Old 03-21-2001 | 01:39 PM
  #3  
HaulinMax@$$'s Avatar
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No cheap gas for my car!!! Never have, never will.....unless I were driving a Yugo (remember those?).
Gentleman (and ladies) were are driving a beautiful piece of machinery here. Would you hook up a speaker to 500 watt amp with 24guage wire?


Geeez, I can be an opinionated SOB sometimes!
Old 03-21-2001 | 02:24 PM
  #4  
TimW's Avatar
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its insurance

against damaging your engine. plain and simple. your engine will run on 87.. and timing will retard. Other than towing or climbing a hill, you might not ever have a problem..

but... my car misses enough on its own when cold. your car is pretty new, but there are some rough starting issues that occur while your engine breaks in (up to 6K). I think some real damage could be done during one of those hiccups.

also, the most compelling reason is not giving the dealer a reason to deny you warranty work should you have some totally unrelated fuel or timing problem.
Old 03-21-2001 | 02:46 PM
  #5  
Magellan's Avatar
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I'm sure there's good reasons for Nissan to suggest 91 or better. After all, they would sell more cars if it was OK to use 87.

In my case, I drive around 15,000 miles per year. At 24 mpg, that's 625 gallons. 92 Octane (there's no 91 in my area) costs around 20 cents extra per gallon. So my annual extra cost is $125. That's cheap insurance for having a healthly, full-power engine.
Old 03-21-2001 | 03:03 PM
  #6  
ispeed's Avatar
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Originally posted by HaulinMax@$$

Would you hook up a speaker to 500 watt amp with 24guage wire?


Geeez, I can be an opinionated SOB sometimes!
I guess thats why I can heat my car with that jensen amp!

Maybe I should use that 16 guage wire for the speakers instead of the power cable for that amp too.

Just kidding w/ ya! No stereo for me...yet...gotta get those mtx amps and jl 12's back up agian. just waiting for a set of focal's for the doors to come down to a respectable price.

but

Yeah its like drinking single malt scotch out of a paper cup

Or buy a high class hooker a happy meal from McDonald's.

Just go ahead and spend the little extra money for a peak performing engine. Also it gives me peace of mind that I may not void my warranty (read some of my prev posts to find the humor in this!)
Old 03-21-2001 | 03:40 PM
  #7  
max2k1SE's Avatar
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I use 87 octane !!!

-- I used 87 gas in a Maxima --
but that was when I was renting it

I did drive a rental maxima for 2 months flat out -- all the time on 87

But my baby, always gets the best -- 92 which comes to $2.15+ in CA
Old 03-21-2001 | 04:44 PM
  #8  
djmaxski's Avatar
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I've been using 92 or 93... Partly because its been the same price at BP stations (for the 93) as the 91 is at other stations... Even if given the choice, I've been choosing the 92 or 93 over the 91 -- Like people have been saying, its worth the extra few pennies....
Old 03-21-2001 | 06:02 PM
  #9  
Loe max's Avatar
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Just do your Maxima right and put in 91+ octane rating. Nissan recommends it and no one knows the car better than them. Knock sensor was NOT put there to compensate for a lower octane gas. Its put there to compensate for different brands of fuel, outside conditions, driving conditions (whether you're towing ect..), and such. Knock sensor listens to "ping" or "knock" in your engine and retards the engines timming to prevent further damage. Just remember that the pingning or knocking already took place and in time, it will destroy your engine.

I always use 91+ octane. I've never have and never will use anything lower.
Old 03-21-2001 | 07:09 PM
  #10  
Pillager's Avatar
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93 Octane all the way!

I've used nothin' but 93 in my ride. Listen, you've already spent approximately 25K-28K for one of the best performance sedans on the planet. Why not go the extra mile and feed it something tasty? It'll love ya for it. Mmmmmmmmmmm 93 GOOD, FILL'R UP!
Old 03-21-2001 | 07:14 PM
  #11  
HaulinMax@$$'s Avatar
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Originally posted by otter'sMAX


I guess thats why I can heat my car with that jensen amp!

Maybe I should use that 16 guage wire for the speakers instead of the power cable for that amp too.

Just kidding w/ ya! No stereo for me...yet...gotta get those mtx amps and jl 12's back up agian. just waiting for a set of focal's for the doors to come down to a respectable price.

but

Yeah its like drinking single malt scotch out of a paper cup

Or buy a high class hooker a happy meal from McDonald's.

Just go ahead and spend the little extra money for a peak performing engine. Also it gives me peace of mind that I may not void my warranty (read some of my prev posts to find the humor in this!)


Focal, ooooh, got any info on them? Now ur talkin....
Old 03-21-2001 | 07:23 PM
  #12  
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You need high octane!!

Without the high octane, my car won't start smoothly. Have to turn the key at least twice. With 91+, I never have a problem.

Trust me, its worth every penny.
Old 03-21-2001 | 07:52 PM
  #13  
edadams's Avatar
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I put in 93 octane all the time. I beleive it also helps the fuel economy.
Old 03-21-2001 | 08:14 PM
  #14  
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My dad uses 87 or 89...I keep telling him, but he doesn't listen...how do I convince him that it is hurting the car...I showed him in the manual where it says 91+, but we only have 87, 89, and 92 available and he says that 92 is too "high." Itz just a stupid excuse not to spend the extra $0.10 per gallon. Any sugestions?
Old 03-21-2001 | 08:22 PM
  #15  
ispeed's Avatar
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Originally posted by HaulinMax@$$




Focal, ooooh, got any info on them? Now ur talkin....

http://www.sounddomain.com

they have some info on all their products. its tough to find a wholesale dist for them though.
Old 03-21-2001 | 09:41 PM
  #16  
Paul6speed's Avatar
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I usually put in 93 octane. I can't find 91 in Maryland. Sometimes I mix 89 and 93. My brother only uses 87 in his 1996 Maxima. He has 189,000 miles on it. (Original tranny too)
Old 03-21-2001 | 10:36 PM
  #17  
Empz's Avatar
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I'm using Sunoco 94 Octane ...

Been doing that since DAY 1!!!!
Old 03-22-2001 | 04:44 AM
  #18  
umpopa's Avatar
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The car is worth more than the few pennies extra, and I don't want to hurt my new Maxima, so I always use 93.
Old 03-22-2001 | 10:13 AM
  #19  
bry2kse's Avatar
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Originally posted by SE MaN
My dad uses 87 or 89...I keep telling him, but he doesn't listen...how do I convince him that it is hurting the car...I showed him in the manual where it says 91+, but we only have 87, 89, and 92 available and he says that 92 is too "high." Itz just a stupid excuse not to spend the extra $0.10 per gallon. Any sugestions?
Tell him to mix the 89 and 92 (just say 50/50 for ease of argument) so the car is getting close to 91.

If he drives the car like it was meant to be driven (read that as you like) .. he should see an improvement in performance. Also, people have noticed better fuel economy with the higher Octane.

Finally.. you could ask him why he didn't buy a Toyota or something cheaper if he intended to treat the car poorly.
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