what kind of gas does everyone use?
11-28-2007, 07:24 PM
#41
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chevron premium (91 in AZ).
chevron (or any of the previous standard oil divisions including amoco, sohio, etc.) has long been considered to be the best gas due to the additives (techron...now in texaco too after the merger). i have read this for years both on forums and in a book titled "drive it forever". my last car ran exclusively on chevron for over 200k and never required any type of service on the injectors and the fuel filter never needed replacement. shell is also considered to be good. i originally got on the chevron/shell bandwagon when they were the only brands in IL that didnt add 10% ethanol back in the 80's.
chevron (or any of the previous standard oil divisions including amoco, sohio, etc.) has long been considered to be the best gas due to the additives (techron...now in texaco too after the merger). i have read this for years both on forums and in a book titled "drive it forever". my last car ran exclusively on chevron for over 200k and never required any type of service on the injectors and the fuel filter never needed replacement. shell is also considered to be good. i originally got on the chevron/shell bandwagon when they were the only brands in IL that didnt add 10% ethanol back in the 80's.
11-28-2007, 07:53 PM
#44
And, whats the highest rated gas available in your respective areas?
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
11-28-2007, 08:22 PM
#45
11-29-2007, 06:12 AM
#47
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Location: Toronto, Ontario
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11-29-2007, 09:53 AM
#50
regular(87) is 3.00 bucks here
premo(93) is 3.25 bucks here give or take
after 15 gallons thats only a few bucks more for better gas milage, and performance...the the bettter gas milage probably make up for the extra 4 bucks you spend at the tank.
hearing people ***** about putting in premium is retarted.
premo(93) is 3.25 bucks here give or take
after 15 gallons thats only a few bucks more for better gas milage, and performance...the the bettter gas milage probably make up for the extra 4 bucks you spend at the tank.
hearing people ***** about putting in premium is retarted.
11-29-2007, 11:16 AM
#51
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Location: Minnesota
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I think they stop selling 94 in my area. Some people say that the octane doesn't make a diff. I did notice, while driving my girlfriends VQ, more rattling and of valves and and fiddly bits on 89. When I used 93 it went away. I do know that if you want some serious rattling and hesitating use some 89 in a ford with over 100k
I use 87 theres no reason to spend more money on the stuff (granted there are exceptions) some times the gas station by my house sells 89 for the same price as 87 so i get it then but she runs good so I have no reason to spend more.
11-29-2007, 11:17 AM
#52
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regular(87) is 3.00 bucks here
premo(93) is 3.25 bucks here give or take
after 15 gallons thats only a few bucks more for better gas milage, and performance...the the bettter gas milage probably make up for the extra 4 bucks you spend at the tank.
hearing people ***** about putting in premium is retarted.
premo(93) is 3.25 bucks here give or take
after 15 gallons thats only a few bucks more for better gas milage, and performance...the the bettter gas milage probably make up for the extra 4 bucks you spend at the tank.
hearing people ***** about putting in premium is retarted.
i agree! kinda crazy that we are happy when premium is less than 3 bucks
11-29-2007, 08:13 PM
#57
I used to mix av gas in my Chevelle when I was running brackets with it, but technically, it is illegal to use in cars driven on public roads. Nothing to do with pollution or anything like that but because there are no state and federal road taxes included in the price.
11-29-2007, 11:26 PM
#61
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Well, I see 3 or 4 posts here claiming better gas mileage for higher octane.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
11-29-2007, 11:50 PM
#62
And, whats the highest rated gas available in your respective areas?
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
11-29-2007, 11:52 PM
#63
Guest
Posts: n/a
i guess pinging in stock 3.5's is a problem that needs to be fixed. or maybe its a problem of people not using the 91 that nissan says they need to use...and what works.
11-30-2007, 12:33 AM
#64
i use 87 on my maxima and i will continue to do so on my Z how ever the manual of both cars to use an octane rating of ATLEAST 83 so i think i am good. some times on long trips i would put 92 in and despite what every one says i get better mileage.
example:summer time headed to portland average temp 85-90F
92 yeilded ~375 miles on one tank filled from E
87 yeilded ~320 miles on one tank filled from E
mabe its just the way a 2nd gen is or just my car because i try to eek and tweak as much as i can out of 87 that the 92 works so much better. i dont care what consumer reports says my car isnt in a lab, cars dont operate in controled enviorments they operate in real life.
example:summer time headed to portland average temp 85-90F
92 yeilded ~375 miles on one tank filled from E
87 yeilded ~320 miles on one tank filled from E
mabe its just the way a 2nd gen is or just my car because i try to eek and tweak as much as i can out of 87 that the 92 works so much better. i dont care what consumer reports says my car isnt in a lab, cars dont operate in controled enviorments they operate in real life.
11-30-2007, 05:33 AM
#66
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Well, I see 3 or 4 posts here claiming better gas mileage for higher octane.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
now im really itching to try a tank of something lower than 93 octane...
because... there is an almost 8$ difference between a tank of 87 and a tank of 93.. ... that means 40$ extra every month...
87 @ $3.12 .......93 @ $3.50
thats pretty significant to my pocket book....
11-30-2007, 08:42 AM
#67
Well, I see 3 or 4 posts here claiming better gas mileage for higher octane.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
WRONG.
WRONG.
WRONG.
Individuals trying to measure their mpg sometimes THINK they get better mpg with higher octane, but they DON'T; rumors of such accomplishments are strictly an urban legend.
Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports . . you name it; every official and CAREFULLY CONTROLLED UNDER LABRATORY CONDITIONS test has proven for over thirty years that higher octane does NOT give higher mpg. PERIOD.
Does higher octane give a cleaner engine? Sometimes slightly.
Does higher octane give better performance? Only in extreme driving situations, such as a timed quarter mile.
But each testing agency has come to the same conclusion: unless your engine has been specifically tuned for the higher octane (stock Maximas have not), or is somehow out of tune, octanes over 87 are money out the tailpipe.
OR psychological salve. which is why I use 89, when 87 works perfectly well in my car.
Those blaming a low octane gas for problems with their car which are 'solved' by higher octane are simply masking a problem which should be addressed and fixed.
The only saving grace is that the higher octane will certainly not HURT your Maxima, and may make some drivers feel better.
Higher mileage or better power would only occur if the lower octane was causing knock retard. hence not running 100%.
Since Octane is the ability not to self ignite, I equate that to not being able burn as easy. Not being able to burn as easy makes me think less power, less mileage.
Obviously, 100 octane in a race engine will produce more power than 87, as the 87 will cause pistons to melt/blow up and have no power!
That said we use 87 in the Max, and I use 87 in my preminum recommended turbo dodge, but only after some modifications that allow me to do so and with an active knock retard feed back system. I wrote a data logging app that I use to use but have since gone with calibration that will flash the CEL on knock retard.
Last edited by ScottS; 11-30-2007 at 08:43 AM. Reason: grammar
12-01-2007, 12:19 AM
#70
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Niku-Sama (and several others here who claim higher mpg with higher octane) - By 'not caring about what all the lab tests say', you are denying reality right from the top. That is the worst possible way to approach any true evaluation of mpg or any other scientific measurement. The fallacy of your approach is that truly accurate mpg cannot be determined by burning the fuel in the car; way too many variables.
Such as:
Lateral tilt of car at fillup
Lateral tilt of car at each refill
Frontal tilt of car at fillup
Frontal tilt of car at each refill
Sensitivity of fuel nozzle cutoff device indicating 'full' at fillup
Sensitivity of fuel nozzle cutoff device indication 'full' at each refill
Temperature at fillup
Temperature at each refill
Wind direction during each foot travelled during test
Wind velocity during each foot travelled during test
Road surface must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Road gradient must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Total weight of car (including fuel) must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Application of accellerator must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Application of brakes must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
We could continue this list, but you should be getting the idea by now.
A rough approximation of mpg may be obtained by running the test over exactly the same trip at the same speed under the same weather and traffic conditions with each fuel. But, because of the fillup variables listed above, a trip of less than three tankfuls in length will not be very accurate.
Those who want the higher octane to give higher mpg will interpret things the way they wish. But the reality is that, in a properly tuned car, 87 octane and 93 octane give exactly the same mpg. To deny that is to deny reality. Which some here will do.
ps - ScottS - Thanks for bringing facts instead of urban rumors to the board. We needed some reality here.
Such as:
Lateral tilt of car at fillup
Lateral tilt of car at each refill
Frontal tilt of car at fillup
Frontal tilt of car at each refill
Sensitivity of fuel nozzle cutoff device indicating 'full' at fillup
Sensitivity of fuel nozzle cutoff device indication 'full' at each refill
Temperature at fillup
Temperature at each refill
Wind direction during each foot travelled during test
Wind velocity during each foot travelled during test
Road surface must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Road gradient must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Total weight of car (including fuel) must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Application of accellerator must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
Application of brakes must be exactly the same when testing each fuel
We could continue this list, but you should be getting the idea by now.
A rough approximation of mpg may be obtained by running the test over exactly the same trip at the same speed under the same weather and traffic conditions with each fuel. But, because of the fillup variables listed above, a trip of less than three tankfuls in length will not be very accurate.
Those who want the higher octane to give higher mpg will interpret things the way they wish. But the reality is that, in a properly tuned car, 87 octane and 93 octane give exactly the same mpg. To deny that is to deny reality. Which some here will do.
ps - ScottS - Thanks for bringing facts instead of urban rumors to the board. We needed some reality here.
Last edited by lightonthehill; 12-01-2007 at 12:28 AM.
12-01-2007, 11:34 AM
#71
Interesting last couple of posts, however I will say I was using premium and every so often switching back to regular 87 for a couple fill ups when my maxima had around 70ish maybe 80-85k miles. Now that she's got 123000 I used 87 again and it pinged pretty bad when its cold. Switched back to 93 and it runs a bit smoother. MPG's didnt really notice a difference. To the one who said "blaming performance issues on octane is just masking a different problem" that's probly correct, I've got original knock sensor, 3 out of 4 original O2's and basically everything else emissions-related and fuel delivery original.
12-02-2007, 01:53 AM
#72
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
carsarecool - Thanks for your thoughtful insight. Your experience sounds normal. It is probably true that once a car passes the 100,000 mile mark, if we get pinging, it may be easier and less expensive to step up in octane rather than try to restore the engine, fuel and emmissions systems to 'like new' status.
12-02-2007, 02:22 AM
#73
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN USA
Posts: 620
And, whats the highest rated gas available in your respective areas?
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
I usually use Sunoco 94 Ultra, which is the highest rated gas you can get in Ontario. Although i'm not sure if theres a significance over using other station's premium 91 gas.
I have at times, noticed my milage is a bit better when I use 94, over 91 gas. (which becomes an irrelevant benefit due to the increased gas cost, but still interesting to note)
12-02-2007, 12:37 PM
#76
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN USA
Posts: 620
12-02-2007, 12:42 PM
#77
12-02-2007, 12:44 PM
#78
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Pretoria - South Africa
Posts: 1,205
What exactly (chemical compound) is it that you can dump into the fuel tank that may serve a purpose that is not already present in common fuel at the pump as it is? ...............and at what concentrations is it damaging and to which components in the fuel system?
12-02-2007, 02:18 PM
#80
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Well... im gonna fill with something other than premium today...
dont know what though.... should i go one step down to 89?.... prlly gonna fill up only a few gallons just to see what happens...
if my car can run healthy according to some of the posts in this thread.... id love to save $50 a month by going lower octane.
dont know what though.... should i go one step down to 89?.... prlly gonna fill up only a few gallons just to see what happens...
if my car can run healthy according to some of the posts in this thread.... id love to save $50 a month by going lower octane.