I've read from some people its worth it, some say it's not. I just put it in and it was an extra $10 to fill up. I haven't noticed a difference yet.

 

Just based on the last 5,687,653,874,829,973,819 threads here on this subject, I would not dare answer this question.

But then nobody can resist chiming in on a fuel thread.

Seriously, with a few dozen posters here excepted, the 7th gen Maxima does not run at its best on regular fuel. I would recommend not using regular.

But midgrade (89 octane) is very near the 91 octane for which this 7th gen Maxima fuel system is set up, and works very well.

Those who say they can tell the difference between midgrade and premium fuel in this car by the seat of the pants are simply trying to justify the use of premium in their minds. The only way the difference in performance between premium and midgrade in this 7th gen can be measured is with electrical timers on a closed track, and the difference is miniscule.

In owning nothing but Maximas since October of 1984, I have followed the same procedure with every one of them - premium fuel the first 18 months, then midgrade the rest of the way. In that twenty year span, I have never once detected any difference in performance or fuel efficiency between premium and midgrade, and I have measured and tried to find any difference.

Repeating, a few dozen here have been able to operate fine with regular (87 octane), but most who tried could immediately tell the difference, and some 7th gens just would not run on regular gas. I would not use regular in this vehicle.

 

I will never know. Using premium on all my cars, including my subaru legacy, which is supposed to run on regular fuel.

 

from what ive heard the owners manual for 7th gens says 91 octane and up

 

http://www.cartalk.com/content/premium-vs-regular-1

Basically, you might want to stick with midgrade or premium fuel if...

1. you drive with a lead foot
2. the weather is really hot
3. you drive up lots of steep hills
4. your towing a boat with your maxima

Otherwise, regular fuel is fine. I've been running it since i got the car and i've never heard it ping. My dad ran regular on a 2006 passat with the 2.0 turbo and its still running fine 100k miles later. IMO, If regular can be used in a turbo, its fine in a NA car like the maxima.

 

I had a 4 mpg drop when running regular over premium. This was consistent over 4 tanks of gas.

 

Stop cutting corners dude, first you didn't get a relay for your HIDs and now you want to use regular fuel.

 

I tried regular a few times just to see if there was any difference, and there sure was. Car would shudder at idle and lost a mile or so per gallon. I wouldn't recommend using anything less then 89 octane, but personally I only use 93 since 91 is not available where I live

 

.


Cars octane requirements are based on the compression ratios of their engines. Higher compression engines require gasoline with anti knock additives (meaning higher octane) to make it more difficult for the fuel to ignite. Cars would provide optimal performance (power) when the recommended fuel is used. So using premium fuels in cars rated for regular gas is just a waste of money. However, many cars rated for premium gas will run fine on regular gas (at reduced HP) because the engine will sense knock and retard the ignition timing to prevent engine damage.


As far as gas mileage is concerned both regular and premium fuels have the same energy content (same BTU) so claims for better gas mileage with (engines properly calibrated) with premium are a myth.


PS for my driving conditions in FL regular works fine in my Maxima. Also talking to people that lease cars, most use regular gas for their premium gas recommend cars with no ill effects.

 

I'm not sure I follow that statement. I clearly get significantly worse gas mileage running regular instead of premium in my maxima.

Now, I used to have a Juke, with the 1.6 turbo motor. That vehicle returned identical results with regular or premium.

 

If this is in fact true you went to the wrong gas station. Typically, the price difference between regular and premium is .20. Had you ran your car out of fuel (unlikely) and filled up with premium there would be a $4 difference in cost over regular.

How did it cost you $10 extra dollars?

 

I could tell the difference in performance, but if I hadn't known what the power was like with premium I wouldn't have minded what it was like with regular.

I didn't check the gas mileage.

 

Well, the shell by my house (in texas) is $3.49 for regular and $3.99 for premium. I waited till my car got to ---- miles remaining so I didn't mix much of regular gas into the premium. So with that .50 difference and almost 17 gallons I got into the $8.xx mark.

 

well this car never goes to wide open throttle because of the way nissan programmed the ecu, why bother trying to get maximum performance? i probably will get mid or regular grade fuel from now on until i get my next new, non-cvt Nissan vehicle.

 

The 7th Gen maxima has a higher compression engine in it versus previous years. Premium was recommended before, and now it is required. You're losing around 50 horsepower by running 87 in a 7th gen.

 

Premium fuel is recommended for the 7th gen, not required. This is stated inside the fuel cap door and in the manual. I have been using midgrade 89 and have been very satisfied with the performance.

 

This isn't true for all 7th gens. My 2009 SV Sport/Tech requires premium fuel as stated on the fuel door and manual. I believe this changed to "recommended" in 2010 or 11. Either way, it's an expensive car, if folks can't afford the extra money for premium fuel then why purchase a premium car? Personally, it doesn't matter what you folks put in your gas tank. If you're okay with mid grade or lower then go for it! Regardless of your decision it will be you who will have to deal with the consequences whether it a higher fuel budget or possibly poor performance.

That is all.

 

I can deal with the consequences of a slower time in the 1/4 mile. I'll stick with mid-grade.

 

It actually is true for all 7th gen Maximas. Premium fuel was never required. In fact it was a misprint and that is why in the later models Nissan changed it. Lol it's not like they've changed anything in the engine from 09 till now that would make you think otherwise.

 

True. Nissan reduced the fuel recommendation between the 2009 and 2010 Maximas, but made no changes to the engine, per my service guy. I suspected at the time that this may have been in reaction to the desire (and inquiries) of masses of newly unemployed drivers (recession) to save money any way possible.

Those living where the difference in price between fuel levels is only 20 cents or so need to light a candle of thanks each night, and stop taunting us with that '$4 per tank difference' garbage. Some of us are not nearly so lucky. The stations around me had a per gallon difference of 46 cents between regular and midgrade a month or so ago, and another 24 cents from midgrade to premium.

It is perfectly fine to use either 91 or 89 octane in the 7th gen. Nissan recommends 91 octane because then the magazine testers have to use 91 octane when testing the car. 91 octane might give a zero to 60 in 6.03 seconds, which will be stated as 6.0, while 89 octane might take 6.07 seconds, which will be stated as 6.1. Undetectable in any way but electronic timing on a closed course, but important when buyers are comparing the specs of competing vehicles.

 

Filled up on on Shell 89 when I saw 93 was a ripoff at 4+ a gallon. No deterioration in gas mileage... in fact, an improvement on midgrade. No more... Max runs fine on 89 with a noticeable improvement in gph.