Effects of using cheap, regular octane gas for 60k miles
02-26-2006, 06:45 PM
#1
Effects of using cheap, regular octane gas for 60k miles
I see in the FAQ that
Are the ill effects of using regular gas for 60,000 miles at all reversible if I start using premium now? By other means?
Suppose you had the power to know for sure, would you be detered from buying a max that ran on said gas for that many miles?
For the 4th and 5th gen Maxima, it is important that you use a premium grade gas (i.e. 91 or greater octane). Using premium gas is not for increasing performance (not directly) or for giving you extra horsepower. What it does for you is to prevent detonation or pre-ignition. Detonation means that the fuel and air mixutre ignite at the wrong time due to the high compression and heat. This is VERY bad for the engine. The effets of detonation is cumulative, meaning the damage adds up. Higher octane gas will be more resistant to detonation and allow your engine to run as intended
Suppose you had the power to know for sure, would you be detered from buying a max that ran on said gas for that many miles?
02-26-2006, 06:49 PM
#2
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 538
Running lower octane gas in a big bore vehicle or high compression vehicle can cause damage to the pistons and rings. Just switch to premium you'll also get better mileage using premium. There's not really a good excuse to not run premium in a vehicle that requires or recommends it.
02-26-2006, 06:57 PM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 538
Most of that savings is negated by poor fuel consumption
Also if there has already been damage there is no way to reverse it, but running crap gas can cause oil consumption to rise dramatically.
Also if there has already been damage there is no way to reverse it, but running crap gas can cause oil consumption to rise dramatically.
02-26-2006, 07:15 PM
#5
Guys, I realize the benefits and I'm using premium.
The reason I asked is because I'm the second owner and I know for a fact the previous owner never used premium. So I was wondering if the damage (if any) can be undone.
The reason I asked is because I'm the second owner and I know for a fact the previous owner never used premium. So I was wondering if the damage (if any) can be undone.
02-26-2006, 07:59 PM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 538
Originally Posted by 02maxxxSE
Guys, I realize the benefits and I'm using premium.
The reason I asked is because I'm the second owner and I know for a fact the previous owner never used premium. So I was wondering if the damage (if any) can be undone.
The reason I asked is because I'm the second owner and I know for a fact the previous owner never used premium. So I was wondering if the damage (if any) can be undone.
02-27-2006, 05:50 AM
#9
Yeah, i did the math one day when my mom and gf both yelled at me, "you waste money on putting that stuff in your car?!" even with filling up at half a tank, i took the highest price of gas stations around here and the difference was like $2.53 more for 93 octane. I'd just try to get the engine in better condition, your already using premium, run a can of good injector cleaner, run some Auto-Rx, seafoam through the mani, and switch to synthetic then change the plugs.
02-27-2006, 05:53 AM
#10
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 538
Originally Posted by Anuj
my little 2.0l s2k requires premium -- oh wheres does my $ go 
03-05-2006, 02:56 PM
#13
I wouldn't worry about it at all. No need to tear the motor down or do anything at all. The car has a knock sensor which will retard the timing and prevent detonation. It doesn't damage anything at all.
Premium gas actually does improve performance if the car can take advantage of it. Retarding the timing on any vehicle cuts power and efficiency. The previous owner never saw the full power potential of the car but they didn't hurt anything.
Put the best gas in it from now on to get the best performance from it. I wouldn't worry about anything else.
If we were talking about an ultra high performance car I would have a different opinion. Those cars are built to make the most power they can. Durability isn't as important and the owners are expected to know how to take care of them.
Regular passenger cars are designed to be idiot proof. Nissan knows people will put cheap gas in them and still expect them to last for ever. I wouldn't worry one bit.
Premium gas actually does improve performance if the car can take advantage of it. Retarding the timing on any vehicle cuts power and efficiency. The previous owner never saw the full power potential of the car but they didn't hurt anything.
Put the best gas in it from now on to get the best performance from it. I wouldn't worry about anything else.
If we were talking about an ultra high performance car I would have a different opinion. Those cars are built to make the most power they can. Durability isn't as important and the owners are expected to know how to take care of them.
Regular passenger cars are designed to be idiot proof. Nissan knows people will put cheap gas in them and still expect them to last for ever. I wouldn't worry one bit.
03-05-2006, 10:27 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 117
I was curious about this myself so I did a little research. I ran two tanks of 89 through the max and my avg. mpg was 19.6. There was also a noticable difference in the engines response. After running two tanks of 93 the average MPG shot up to 23.2 (same driving conditions, same avg. temp) and the response was vastly different. In the summer when it becomes more available I had wanted to try running a few tanks of 99 to see how that would wake her up. But with 93 @ 2.57 a gallon it may be a while before I do that
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