So I recently bought a 1995 Nissan Maxima. I was wondering if it’s ok to use 87 Octane gasoline? Also I know for the oil it’s 5w 30 4 1/4 quarts. However, is it ok to use conventional oil?

 

You're right ... the search function is broken.

Wait ... no it's not.

 

heck, you could even find that info searching google....

 

LOLOL

You sound like me. WE'll have to party in the same nursing home when that time comes.

 

I'm feeling generous.

Use premium fuel.
Yes, conventional oil (5w 30 or 10w 30) is okay.

Search if you want further explanations.

 

I understand that I can look up these things, but I just like to hear what people’s experiences are. Also the owner manual mentions “Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research octane number 96)” but then it also says” Octane rating tips In most parts of North America, you should use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 or 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number. However, you may use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as 85 AKI...”
So I should rephrase what I’m asking is whether using 87 Octane or conventional oil will cause damage. I understand that there are newer cars like the Mustang that can run on 87 Octane with less power that cause no damage since the computer can compensate. However, the 1995 Maxima is an older car so I’m not sure if it have the computer to compensate.

 

You bought a performance oriented family car.

Our engines are designed for premium gasoline.

Yes, you can feed it regular or mid grade gas.

The knock sensor will dial back spark advance if it's broken or if you fill with regular gas. This also means that acceleration will suffer. Quite often gas mileage will suffer as well.

Do you have a check engine light on?

A properly maintained 4th Gen Maxima will get 30 to 35 mpg on the freeway. That's what I get when I fill with premium.

I've noticed that a bad oxy sensor will drop mpg to 27 or so.

So might as well take care of deffered maintaince issues, then get good performance on premium gas.
It costs only a little more.

 

In CA, the difference between 87 and 91 is generally 20 cents. That's only $3.00 more per fillup.
Will 87 octane ruin your Max? Nope
Will it run at peak performance using 87 octane? Nope. The ECU will compensate and adjust fuel trims accordingly.
So ask yourself, is it worth saving $3.00 per tank?

 

No I don't have a check engine light on or anything like that. It passed smog yesterday first try yesterday so I assume there's no serious issue with anything emission related. I suppose my car can run on 87 as I filled up with 87 yesterday and drove it about 50 miles with no issues. Based on what you guys are saying running premium 91 octane fuel will actually get better gas mileage for the Maxima? Is that true? If anyone has experience with a 4th gen Maxima on this topic I would love to hear your experience.

 

That's exactly what I'm saying. I've owned mine since 2006. Many of us have owned our cars for a long time. Our cars are intended for 93 octane premium. Or premium, not mid grade gas.

Perhaps you, as a newbee know more than we do?

 

JvG..... Welcome to the Nursing Home!

 

Yup. Bang head against wall.

Seems to me that the engineers at Nissan at the time knew less than our new bees .

The owners manual states that premium gas is prefferred.


I find it amusing that some members who only burn regular gas ask how to increase performace.

 

The reason folks gave you hell is due to the fact that you had the factory manual and read it's recommendations. If you want to run a lesser fuel to save a buck, ok....no one is going to say otherwise.
I use to run low-grade gas in my mowers, edgers, and stuff. Here's what I found, over time what use to start with one pull or a crank began to take more effort to start. After that point, I put premium fuel in everything. Now all of them fire up reliably. If I want to save a buck, I'll use coupons or reply to a survey on the back of a receipt....IJS use 91+

 

and here's where the opinions divide, i have always used 89 octane and the max has always ran perfect with that in her belly. running premium is fine if you feel it makes a difference, i never thought it did.

 

It definitely does make a difference if the knock sensor works.

Yet since failed knock sensor do fail, putting premium in a car with a bad knock sensor makes no difference.