can cheap gas mess-up your engine?
06-06-2006, 06:50 PM
#1
can cheap gas mess-up your engine?
last week I let my bro-in-law borrowed the car for 2 days. (his work)
the car rattle on the engine when I step on gas (ex: going 40, want to pass a car, step on gas, engine rattles at first but none when it reaches higher rpm.)
I know he put on cheap gas 'cause dat's him.
anyway, I had a code about 3 months ago for 5th engine misfire, changed updated brand new coils and spark plugs.
Thanks guys.
the car rattle on the engine when I step on gas (ex: going 40, want to pass a car, step on gas, engine rattles at first but none when it reaches higher rpm.)
I know he put on cheap gas 'cause dat's him.
anyway, I had a code about 3 months ago for 5th engine misfire, changed updated brand new coils and spark plugs.
Thanks guys.
06-06-2006, 07:37 PM
#6
yea, I've always run on premium. Especially over here we have 93 octane.
so what's with the rattles on the engine? my friend told me I need a tune up. But I just replaced coils, spark plus...........
or is it the result of my 2 months old Berk intake? hehehe.
so what's with the rattles on the engine? my friend told me I need a tune up. But I just replaced coils, spark plus...........
or is it the result of my 2 months old Berk intake? hehehe.
06-07-2006, 06:51 AM
#11
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 79
When gas prices started getting nasty, I started using regular gas regularly. At first I couldn't detect any diff. - no knocking, no pinging, maybe a little power difference. After a while, with everybody telling me that I should be hearing something, I started noticing a little rattle from the engine when it first start and when I first step on gas. Now, I alternate tanks between medium and premium. Also, I think I get slightly better gas mileage with premium. In my opinion, Nissan's got a lot of nerve requiring (or recommending) premium, when Accords, Camrys, and every other mid-size, mid-level sedan only needs regular (and they get way better gas mileage, too) - geez, a 300HP Mustang only needs regular!
06-07-2006, 06:58 AM
#12
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 8
Yep, I got the same rattling sound upon acceleration. I've always used premium, and still started getting the knocking sound. I've been using mid-grade lately since the knocking is there anyway. The dealer said it could be some kind of spark knock, timing issue, or sensor problem as well. I guess the rattling isn't that detrimental, but more annoying.
06-07-2006, 01:08 PM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 20
yeah, it may be a spark gap issue too. i agree w/ recommending premium. I had to use it in my 00 Jetta and 04 TSX. My wife hates that I always use it but it's not that big of a deal over the course of a year. I think it costs about $300 more per year to use 91/93.
With prices so high, I typically will use 89 for one or two tanks outta five.
With prices so high, I typically will use 89 for one or two tanks outta five.
06-07-2006, 02:25 PM
#15
using 87 shouldn't harm the car...our cars have knock sensors which will retard timing when engine knock is detected. however, you will notice a decrease in gas mileage and power. the decrease in gas mileage, in my opinion, is not worth saving a few cents for cheaper gas.
06-07-2006, 05:42 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 1,113
Theres not that much of a price differance between 89 & 93 octane gas!
The reason I took the 2 seconds do do these calculations is because I want to show everybody how filling up on 89 or 93 octane doesn't break the pocket.
I was kind of board so heres my calculations:
If 87 costs $3.19, 89 costs $3.29 and 93 costs $3.39 Per Galon (Prices I've seen in NY)
If you fill up 12 galons at a time then it costs $38.28 for 87 octane, $39.48 for 89 octane and $40 for 93 octane.
So for the record its a meer $1.72 differance between the top and bottom octane levels...And thats not going to break most peoples pockets!
"I hope I stand correct, if I don't I'll be willing to edit the post."
I was kind of board so heres my calculations:
If 87 costs $3.19, 89 costs $3.29 and 93 costs $3.39 Per Galon (Prices I've seen in NY)
If you fill up 12 galons at a time then it costs $38.28 for 87 octane, $39.48 for 89 octane and $40 for 93 octane.
So for the record its a meer $1.72 differance between the top and bottom octane levels...And thats not going to break most peoples pockets!
"I hope I stand correct, if I don't I'll be willing to edit the post."
06-08-2006, 06:43 AM
#17
Does it make a difference if you get Premium From Amoco/Exxon (Name brands) or if you get it from mom and pop stations?? I have always been to afraid to fill up at those non namebrand gas stations... shoud i be?
06-11-2006, 08:10 AM
#19
When gas prices started getting nasty, I started using regular gas regularly. At first I couldn't detect any diff. - no knocking, no pinging, maybe a little power difference. After a while, with everybody telling me that I should be hearing something, I started noticing a little rattle from the engine when it first start and when I first step on gas. Now, I alternate tanks between medium and premium. Also, I think I get slightly better gas mileage with premium. In my opinion, Nissan's got a lot of nerve requiring (or recommending) premium, when Accords, Camrys, and every other mid-size, mid-level sedan only needs regular (and they get way better gas mileage, too) - geez, a 300HP Mustang only needs regular!
Personally, I don't put in less than premium (which is 93 around here). If gas gets insanely expensive, I may drop to plus. My dad (being the cheap person and slow driver that he is) never puts anything above regular in his I35....
06-11-2006, 11:24 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
Originally Posted by SilverGLE
FYI: The third generation Camry V6's (92-96) required 91. Personally, I don't put in less than premium (which is 93 around here). If gas gets insanely expensive, I may drop to plus. My dad (being the cheap person and slow driver that he is) never puts anything above regular in his I35....
Personally, I don't put in less than premium (which is 93 around here). If gas gets insanely expensive, I may drop to plus. My dad (being the cheap person and slow driver that he is) never puts anything above regular in his I35....
06-11-2006, 11:14 PM
#21
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1
cheap gas, no ping here ...
Hi,
My 01 has had mass airflow replaced, gaskets, 02 sensors, and 2 coils under warranty thankfully.
Until the above was performed, the "check engine light" was on and it pinged like a banshee.
I always use name-brand cheap gas (87) with no ping at all during any circumstances. Maybe it depends on elevation a bit?
My 01 has had mass airflow replaced, gaskets, 02 sensors, and 2 coils under warranty thankfully.
Until the above was performed, the "check engine light" was on and it pinged like a banshee.
I always use name-brand cheap gas (87) with no ping at all during any circumstances. Maybe it depends on elevation a bit?
06-12-2006, 12:05 AM
#23
I always use 91+ up here in north dakota, all we have is 91. This winter when it was really cold I definately noticed a difference between 91 at BP(Amaco) and 91 at cenex. The car ran a lot smoother and starter a lot more easily. People always give me crap for puttin in BP(Amaco) premium, but I figure the manual says use premium for maximum performance, and it only costs like 2 - 3 bucks more a tank, so I figure its worth the hassle. Instead of wondering, I just put 91 in and no problems..and if your comparing to 89(w/ethanol) forget it 91 beats 89 w/ethanol outta the water, I have heard and seen nothing but bad things come about from using ethanol.
06-12-2006, 05:23 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 184
Ethanol cant be run safely in maximas I thought unless you do some fuel line change out and some conversion pieces because over time (not much time by the way) will eat away at the fuel system componets. This is due to the fact that the ethanol we use (corn instead of sugar like the rest of the world which is way cheaper to make btw) is very corrosive. Someone correct me if I am wrong in this. Also in the way of name brands it is stated that Chevron has been stated to be the best gas. I have heard for a friend of a friend in the gas business that Ammaco is the best in teh way of less detergents and what not.
06-12-2006, 09:28 AM
#25
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 108
Opinons, opinons
BP Amoco,
Unofficial study of mine over the years with a friend has been that they always ran our cars better (93) than any other brand we've used. He loves Fords and they too run better on Amoco, so we did some comparisons on MPG etc. This was several years ago, back when we were in college.
It gives me better power, acceleration but not necessarily the best MPG. It'll give me 22-23 mixed highway local. NY area traffic conditions. So it can drop to around 19 MPG also.
Mobil on the other hand has for some reason given me the best MPG when going long range, i.e. from NY to Boston. Got almost 27 MPG. Keep in mind I've kept my Max stock.
Speaking of this, when I put in a CAI, will this improve MPG, stay the same or kill it?
Unofficial study of mine over the years with a friend has been that they always ran our cars better (93) than any other brand we've used. He loves Fords and they too run better on Amoco, so we did some comparisons on MPG etc. This was several years ago, back when we were in college.
It gives me better power, acceleration but not necessarily the best MPG. It'll give me 22-23 mixed highway local. NY area traffic conditions. So it can drop to around 19 MPG also.
Mobil on the other hand has for some reason given me the best MPG when going long range, i.e. from NY to Boston. Got almost 27 MPG. Keep in mind I've kept my Max stock.
Speaking of this, when I put in a CAI, will this improve MPG, stay the same or kill it?
06-12-2006, 10:24 PM
#27
Originally Posted by ctrent86
Ethanol cant be run safely in maximas I thought unless you do some fuel line change out and some conversion pieces because over time (not much time by the way) will eat away at the fuel system componets. This is due to the fact that the ethanol we use (corn instead of sugar like the rest of the world which is way cheaper to make btw) is very corrosive. Someone correct me if I am wrong in this. Also in the way of name brands it is stated that Chevron has been stated to be the best gas. I have heard for a friend of a friend in the gas business that Ammaco is the best in teh way of less detergents and what not.
06-14-2006, 10:12 AM
#28
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 228
agree totally. Amoco has the best fuel around
Originally Posted by 1MaXXfan
BP Amoco,
Unofficial study of mine over the years with a friend has been that they always ran our cars better (93) than any other brand we've used. He loves Fords and they too run better on Amoco, so we did some comparisons on MPG etc. This was several years ago, back when we were in college.
It gives me better power, acceleration but not necessarily the best MPG. It'll give me 22-23 mixed highway local. NY area traffic conditions. So it can drop to around 19 MPG also.
Mobil on the other hand has for some reason given me the best MPG when going long range, i.e. from NY to Boston. Got almost 27 MPG. Keep in mind I've kept my Max stock.
Speaking of this, when I put in a CAI, will this improve MPG, stay the same or kill it?
Unofficial study of mine over the years with a friend has been that they always ran our cars better (93) than any other brand we've used. He loves Fords and they too run better on Amoco, so we did some comparisons on MPG etc. This was several years ago, back when we were in college.
It gives me better power, acceleration but not necessarily the best MPG. It'll give me 22-23 mixed highway local. NY area traffic conditions. So it can drop to around 19 MPG also.
Mobil on the other hand has for some reason given me the best MPG when going long range, i.e. from NY to Boston. Got almost 27 MPG. Keep in mind I've kept my Max stock.
Speaking of this, when I put in a CAI, will this improve MPG, stay the same or kill it?
06-14-2006, 11:10 AM
#29
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 39
My understanding is, if your engine is working 100% properly, putting in normal fuel will only affect your performance (by 10-15 HP or so?). I use 87 most of the time, and the car is generally commuting to work and back so it's not like I'm missing the horses.
06-15-2006, 07:28 AM
#31
To add to the Nissan only thing... My wife's Toyota Sienna requires 91 or above. You can use 87 or 89 but you feel the difference. This is the same engine that is on the Camry.
The new camry v6 also requires the higher octane.
The 2 dollar per tank difference I think is not enough to put your vehicle at rish of pinging, knocking, retarding timing and loss of power.
93 all the way...
The new camry v6 also requires the higher octane.
The 2 dollar per tank difference I think is not enough to put your vehicle at rish of pinging, knocking, retarding timing and loss of power.
93 all the way...
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