Hello Maximites,

First of all I love this forum and Maxima.org. I think this site kicks ***. Do to recent gas hikes among other things like being a cheap bastage. I have been putting 87 octane in the tank. I know that it should only drink the 92+. Is their any harm as long as it does not ping or knock. Any help would be great.

Thanks In Advance

Brett in Texas

 

You will be ok the computer will sense the knocking and change the timing on the engine. You will loose a little power but you will not hurt anything. Too bad you don't live in the midwest 89 octane gas is cheaper then 87 octane gas due to the ethanol in it!!! I use 89 most of time unless I am going to an autocross. Plus the higher elavation you live the less octane you need!! Unfortunalely you are probably at a pretty low altitude.

 

Check your Owners Manual. I think you will find it recommends unleaded fuel with a 91 AKI rating.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you run your Maxima on regular fuel (87 AKI) you will lose performance and also lose fuel economy. Some Maxima owners have made careful fuel consumption measurements. They reported that the better fuel economy obtained with 91 AKI fuel largely offsets the higher purchase price.

My practice is to tank up with half 89 AKI (mid-grade) and half 93 AKI(premium). That is an economical way to run on 91 AKI.

 

I thought of doing that once. But then I started to wonder, "does the 89 and 93 in the tank thoroughly mix??" I.e. does the fuel pump constantly send 91 octane to the engine, or does the car for a while drink 93 happily and then satr to get somewhat sluggish as it gets to the 89 part of the tank??

DW

 

I have noticed a performance boost from the 93 octane when compared to the 87, but I have also noticed that I get a lower gas mileage with the high octane gas. Also sometimes I can smell the gas burning. Could this be from a little of the 87 still in the tank?