ludemaxima

just wondering wat kind of gas (93premium or other type) u guys are using for u'r car...I'm thinking of just using 89 unleaded since it's cheaper than 93 premiums but not quite sure if that would kill the car engine's life span.....but since the compression ratio on the maxima's engine is not high as the car I had before which was a 00 prelude ...I wouldn't have to always use 93's rite??

MacGyver265

The compression ratio of the Maxima is around 10:1, what's the Prelude's? The reccommended octane rting is 91, since that isn't available at the pump, I use 93 octane. It won't hurt the engine to use lower octane because the knock sensor will detect knock and retard the timing. However, your power and fuel economy will suffer.

clee130

The owner's manual suggests for best performance, you use premium.

Although my mom used regular for 3 years before I got the car and there were no truly horrible adverse effects.

gjabo178

dont' be a cheap b#stard! use 93

phenryiv1

iTrader: (19)

the FAQs have links to the effects of running less than 89 in the maxima. It is a bad thing for performance.

Max-2-GTR

Between 89 and 93, there's only a few cents more per gallon in the 93 so many what? one or two bucks less to buy candy?

rmb

Diesel

JPMax

iTrader: (10)

I always use Mobil Super which I believe is 92 or 93 octane.

I let my dad borrow the car one day last week and he filled it up with regular 89. Ugh.. The whole week my car felt like it was missing something.

Use 92+ octane. Always.

hacim105

iTrader: (6)

bascially use anything 91 or up. Usually the most expensive but it's the nicest on your engine and will help it last longer.

Miasma

all you ******* fockers! the best we got here in boulder colorado is 91, granted, the altitude affects conbustion and performance as well

pocketrocket

iTrader: (1)

I don't think it is wise to keep switching back and forth between regular and premium. Obviously, knocking would have to occur first in order for the knock sensor to detect knocking. Once the engine control learns that you're using regular, it will then prevent further knocking (at the cost of decreased performace and mpg but NO engine damage).

The only possibility for damage could occur during the intial knock(s), and bouncing between regular and premium all the time will definitely increase the chances of sustaining engine damage due to knocking.

Miasma

i think your understanding of a knock sensor is off.

it works on a stroke by stroke basis. it is a computer so it is checking for knocks thousands and maybe even millions of times a second, while at most, the engine is turning the driveshaft 65 times a second. The ECU is more than capable of detecting the beginning of a knock and retarding the timing before it does any damage. It does not look for low grade fuel, retard the timing for that tank of fuel, and notice when you fill up with higher grade fuel.

maxedout95

iTrader: (1)

I always use 93 or above.

cantgofast

Or you could be a cheap b&stard and half fill it with 93 premium and half with 89 regular = 91! Now you get to save $.14!! Dont spend it all in one place!

Synki

91 octane and up.

I have always used 93 & 94 octane.