View Poll Results: what kind of gas do you put in
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what kind of gasoline do you put in?
what kind of gasoline do you put in?
ive heard from people that the maxima "needs" premium. depends on who you talk i guess. is it more of a need or a want?
whats the difference if i started putting in regular or plus instead of premium.
whats the difference if i started putting in regular or plus instead of premium.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 533
From: Long Island, NY/Tampa, FL
I have read the stories of people changing to regular and getting pinging, losing power, and almost everyone will tell you that you will lose gas milage. I haven't tried this little experiment out for myself and I don't plan to. I'm sticking with 93.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 534
If i'm not mistaken maxima's require Premium Unleaded, but like u said depends who u ask, but personally when i first got a max i used to use regular but once i heard that it requires premium and i used it, it made a HUGE difference with me, so i'm a PREMIUM user ever since then on 3 maxima's i've owned. I only used the BP or the SHELL Premium thats the cleanest out there IMO 
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Maxima requires premium btw...
I used to use 93 octane only, but decided to put in 89 back during Katrina prices. Mileage never went down, knock sensor code never came up, kept on doing it.
I could use 87, but I have a feeling that wouldn't quite get the job done.
I could use 87, but I have a feeling that wouldn't quite get the job done.
Proud Maxima Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 435
I have faithfully been running 93 octane for years now. I log my fuel records on http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ which is a helpful tool. I wanted to test if 87 octane makes a big difference in mileage, driveability, and any other noticable affects. I have a 1/4 of a tank left, so far I've noticed that the car shifts better w/ 87. I don't have the mileage yet but I will post results next week.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,879
Can the Maxima benefit from 91 octane vs. 87? YES
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
One thing has drastically changed since I started replying to these octane threads--I always said that premium is relatively cheap. When regular was 1.099, premium was 1.299, 20 cents more. When regular was 3.099, premium was 3.299. In the later, 20 cents more is relatively cheap.
This time around, as regular returned to say 2.579, premium is no longer just 20 cents more. I see it as much as 40 cents more, or on avg. about 30 cents more. That means that the elasticity of demand has changed a bit for super.
I can't believe it's 2006 and this debate is still going on. I wouldn't answer but I hate the myths like mpgs are better with higher octane, the knock sensor is ruined by lower octane, stuff like that. Even mfg's have gotten with the times because they don't want to market the cars as requiring premium. Take the Toyota Avalon for example--Toyota says premium is recommended but regular may be used. Why? You guessed it, because of something called a knock sensor.
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
One thing has drastically changed since I started replying to these octane threads--I always said that premium is relatively cheap. When regular was 1.099, premium was 1.299, 20 cents more. When regular was 3.099, premium was 3.299. In the later, 20 cents more is relatively cheap.
This time around, as regular returned to say 2.579, premium is no longer just 20 cents more. I see it as much as 40 cents more, or on avg. about 30 cents more. That means that the elasticity of demand has changed a bit for super.
I can't believe it's 2006 and this debate is still going on. I wouldn't answer but I hate the myths like mpgs are better with higher octane, the knock sensor is ruined by lower octane, stuff like that. Even mfg's have gotten with the times because they don't want to market the cars as requiring premium. Take the Toyota Avalon for example--Toyota says premium is recommended but regular may be used. Why? You guessed it, because of something called a knock sensor.
I've been running 87 for a few years. I noticed no difference when I switched. I initially would go back and forth and log my mileage and since I noticed no change for the worse, I stuck with 87. My mpg only seems to change with my driving style, not the type of gas that goes in. Now most of my driving has been highway and now with over 200k on the car, she still runs great and I will continue to use 87.
Originally Posted by Geo T
Another stupid post!
back on topic:
i use that 91...usually costs ten cents higher than the regular but hey...i need to keep my car in tiptop shape so i can transport those corpses around.
i've noticed for some reason that Vpower from SHell drops down a lot faster than the usual arco or chevron...
nuthin but 93.....nething else is uncivilized
but to answer your question the maxima ECU is programed to run on regular NOT super. JWT reprograms it to run on higher octane so you can reap the benefits but the stocker isnt.....
but to answer your question the maxima ECU is programed to run on regular NOT super. JWT reprograms it to run on higher octane so you can reap the benefits but the stocker isnt.....
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
Can the Maxima benefit from 91 octane vs. 87? YES
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
If you're using a low grade of gas, your engine is more likely to knock. If the ECU detects knock, it retards timing and richens the mixture to compensate. This is not a matter of debate. Nor is it a matter of debate that a richer mixture means more fuel is injected, which by definition means more fuel usage. Unless, as I also said in the other thread, you live on a planet in which fuel magically regenerates itself as you drive.
So, if your driving style and driving conditions are such that your car won't knock with 87 octane, e.g. easy highway driving, of course you won't notice any difference in mileage between 87 and 93 octane. Your ECU will run as much timing advance and as lean a mixture as it can, and it'll be fine.
But, if your driving style and driving conditions are more strenuous, your ECU will not be able to use that much timing advance and that lean a mixture without causing knock UNLESS it uses a higher octane. In that case, you WILL notice a difference in mileage between 87 and 93 octane.
Since more people fall into the former category than the latter, it is possible to say that most people will not notice the difference between 87 and 93 octane. But the argument that octane has no effect on mileage whatsoever is untenable, because there are some instances in which the difference is very large and very noticeable.
I, personally, can tell the difference between 87 and 93 octane very easily. The way I drive, it's good for 3-5 mpg. And I can tell you for sure that it does affect my foot: one of the things I'm most intimately aware of about my car is how much passing power I have on the highway at part throttle in 5th gear, and I am absolutely dead certain that I have a little less with 87 octane than 93 octane.
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
I can't believe it's 2006 and this debate is still going on. I wouldn't answer but I hate the myths like mpgs are better with higher octane, the knock sensor is ruined by lower octane, stuff like that. Even mfg's have gotten with the times because they don't want to market the cars as requiring premium. Take the Toyota Avalon for example--Toyota says premium is recommended but regular may be used. Why? You guessed it, because of something called a knock sensor.
Besides, saying "premium is recommended but regular may be used" still means the engine will be at its best with premium.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,183
From: Atlanta, GA
^^^^ An excellent post. I can definitely agree with the passing power statement. I remember I gave my 95 to my dad once and he filled it with 87. I wanted to scream at him for that one, but I couldn't complain about free gas. It wasn't till I was on my way back to college and HAD TO DOWNSHIFT in order to pass people on the highways that I noticed the car was not performing correctly. It is science and not opinion that determines that premium gets better gas mileage ... and it does.
/thread
/thread
heres a little tip...
with the gas prices being so high these days, one of my buddies who works at the gas station told me that you should not put in gas on a hot day. this is more of an issue in the summer (or for you you people who get hot days even in the fall/spring). the heat will make the gas in the tank below the station more vapor and you will be getting less than you would if it was cooler. he always told me if you know its a hot day wait for the cool night or early morning.
with the gas prices being so high these days, one of my buddies who works at the gas station told me that you should not put in gas on a hot day. this is more of an issue in the summer (or for you you people who get hot days even in the fall/spring). the heat will make the gas in the tank below the station more vapor and you will be getting less than you would if it was cooler. he always told me if you know its a hot day wait for the cool night or early morning.
I used to run 87 regularly in my car. I have since switched to 89 (midgrade)-
(93 is prem in NC). I use 93 when going long distances.
This fuel issue will never die. There are too many variables. I too feel a difference between 87 and 93, and as has been covered before, drive the appropriate way for the fuel I use. I can say for certain tho, that my mileage does not vary that much regardless of what grade fuel I use. It varies more depending on how and where I drive. I routinely get between 390 to 415 miles to a tank a week regardless of the grade of gas.
(93 is prem in NC). I use 93 when going long distances.
This fuel issue will never die. There are too many variables. I too feel a difference between 87 and 93, and as has been covered before, drive the appropriate way for the fuel I use. I can say for certain tho, that my mileage does not vary that much regardless of what grade fuel I use. It varies more depending on how and where I drive. I routinely get between 390 to 415 miles to a tank a week regardless of the grade of gas.
IDK, I have never, ever put 87 in any car that i owned. They actually all happened to be Nissan's too, but they only saw 93. My 05 4 cylinder Altima only sees 93. I fill up w/ 93 at Shell V-power and that lasts me 1 week...always, that's roughly around 300-350 miles and i push the car all the time!! I'm certain that with 87 the car would not perform aswell, get the same mileage, and the fuel would burn up alot faster and cause knock. I never look at prices when I'm filling up, i always go for the premium stuff not only because the car requires it, but i feel good knowing that my car is running on it's finest potential.
Prices in NY are unreal but that never stopped me. Couple of weeks back 93 was at 3.59/g and i think it ran me way over 60 bucks to fill my tank.
Prices in NY are unreal but that never stopped me. Couple of weeks back 93 was at 3.59/g and i think it ran me way over 60 bucks to fill my tank.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by Frank Fontaine
Can the Maxima benefit from 91 octane vs. 87? YES
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
One thing has drastically changed since I started replying to these octane threads--I always said that premium is relatively cheap. When regular was 1.099, premium was 1.299, 20 cents more. When regular was 3.099, premium was 3.299. In the later, 20 cents more is relatively cheap.
This time around, as regular returned to say 2.579, premium is no longer just 20 cents more. I see it as much as 40 cents more, or on avg. about 30 cents more. That means that the elasticity of demand has changed a bit for super.
I can't believe it's 2006 and this debate is still going on. I wouldn't answer but I hate the myths like mpgs are better with higher octane, the knock sensor is ruined by lower octane, stuff like that. Even mfg's have gotten with the times because they don't want to market the cars as requiring premium. Take the Toyota Avalon for example--Toyota says premium is recommended but regular may be used. Why? You guessed it, because of something called a knock sensor.
Does mileage go down when lower octane is used? NO, that's a myth that people seem to want to keep going, like many of the internet hoaxes. One person went so far as to say that 87 affects one's foot thereby yielding lower mpgs, what a stretch.
One thing has drastically changed since I started replying to these octane threads--I always said that premium is relatively cheap. When regular was 1.099, premium was 1.299, 20 cents more. When regular was 3.099, premium was 3.299. In the later, 20 cents more is relatively cheap.
This time around, as regular returned to say 2.579, premium is no longer just 20 cents more. I see it as much as 40 cents more, or on avg. about 30 cents more. That means that the elasticity of demand has changed a bit for super.
I can't believe it's 2006 and this debate is still going on. I wouldn't answer but I hate the myths like mpgs are better with higher octane, the knock sensor is ruined by lower octane, stuff like that. Even mfg's have gotten with the times because they don't want to market the cars as requiring premium. Take the Toyota Avalon for example--Toyota says premium is recommended but regular may be used. Why? You guessed it, because of something called a knock sensor.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15
I have a 97 GLE and use regular unleaded. I get 24 mpg, but I've been known to drive 115 mph when I'm late for class or just really want to get home. I'll try the premium next time and see what happens. My mom uses regular in her 96 GLE and it's still going strong at over 240,000. Could I get 300K out of mine if I switch to premium? I only have 98K now.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,879
Originally Posted by D-3vil
I haven't done any tests on the Maxima, but until recently I owned a '93 240sx. That car *loved* premium (as recommended in the owner's manual). During the 4 years of ownership, I carefully tracked my gas consumption and found that when using 87 octane, fuel consumption would be higher by roughly 10% compared to using 91 octane. This meant that above a certain price, it was cheaper to fill up with premium than regular. I chose premium because of the roughly equivalent costs in the end and the added benefits of using the higher-octane fuel.
I just thank goodness people who believe that higher octane = higher mpg's aren't running clinical trials for tomorrow's miracle drugs. We'd be in a whole lot of trouble if that were the case.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by ethnic6
wait so whats the verdict, does premium really help gas mileage, I know that it definately helps performance... I just want to know since I consider myself a newbie when it come to cars.
