I bought my 2000 Maxima about 3 weeks ago from a Chrysler dealership (I guess it came off a lease). Right before I was going to drive off I asked the sales person if they were going to fill it up with gas and since it was low on fuel during the test drive. He said that's something they don't even do with new cars anymore Anyways I stopped at the first gas station I see and I fill it up with just enough to get me home with 87 octane and later with some more 87 octane when I was closer to home. I read the manual and I learned that it takes premium (92). Since then that has been the only time I have used 87 and it will have been the last time. Lately I have noticed that my car doesn't take off as it use to. It doesn't feel the same. maybe I got used to it since my last car was an 88 Dodge(100 hp). My question is did I mess up the engine a bit by using 87. Also, from reading post about transmissions, I still don't understand what a slipping transmission means. How do I know if my automatic is slipping? Thanks guys for your thoughts, input, and opinions.

 

To test for a slipping transmission

1) make sure the car is cold (maybe let it sit overnight)
2) floor it to like 5k or up
3) if it slips it's going to take about 1-2 seconds to shift making a high pitch shifting sound.
4) then it "catches" 2nd gear and shifts really hard (if it's really severe it will even chirp the tires)

Also, look at the sticky thread on the top to verifly your VIN number.

 

Maxima has a sensor that reads the octane and retards the timing accordingly.
You are just too worried and tricked yourself into thinking the car became sluggish. In reality, I am certain that your car is 100% fine.

 

Hey littledog, where on the car do we check the VIN number ?

Thanks


Cheers

Double A

 

Standing outside your car, look through the front window at the corner of the dash on the driver's side.

 

Just for laughs and giggles, get yourself a 20 oz bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate and put it in your gas tank next time you fill up. See if that makes a difference.

 

Also look under the hood. There is a big metal thing stuck in the middle, right in front of the windshield. The VIN is engraved in it.

 

You can also get it from the driver's side door jam.. probably several other places on the car too.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the info, I will check it today.

Cheers

Double A

 

Fuel recommendation is Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number. If unleaded premium gasloine is not available, unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI can be used. However, for maximum vehicle performance, the use of unleaded premium gasoline is recommended. In most parts of North America, you should use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating ot at least 87 or 91 AKI number. However, you may use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as 85 AKI number in these high altitude areas [over 4,000ft] such as Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western South Dakota, western Nabraska, and that part of Texas which is directly south of New Mexico. Using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than stated above can cause persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If servere, this can lead to engine damage. If you detect a persistent heavy spark knock even when using gasoline of the stated octane rating, or if you hear steady spark knock while holding a steady speed on level roads, have your dealer correct the condition. Failure to correct the condition is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not responsible. Your vehicle is equiped with knock sensors. Some people have the wrong meaning of what this is. Knock sensors are NOT designed to compensate for low octane unleaded gasoline. They are designed for different brand of gas of the same AKI number, different road conditions, weather, car/engine load. Knock sensors hear pinging in the cylinder, after the pinging has taken place (which will damage your engine), and retards ignition timing. Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking, after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause excessive fuel consumption or damage to the engine. However, now and then you may notice light spark knock for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no cause for concern, because you get the greatest fuel benefit when there is light spark knock for a short time under heavy engine load.

Nissan recommends a premium unleaded gasoline (91+ AKI number). It even says so on the gas cap. No one knows your car better than Nissan. You can use 87, but if your engine starts to have servere spark knock and/or showing signs of damage, its not Nissans fault and is not covered under warranty.