General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

Switching octane

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-08-2010, 12:03 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HandsonMaxima.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: akron, ohio
Posts: 699
Switching octane

Recently i got another promotion at work and no longer have to take deliveries(loving to drive may this job so nice) but since i was going through a tank of gas every 4 days i switched down to 87 octane, 2 days ago i switch back to the 90's (91 92 93) octane and i forgot how much jump our cars have. its so nice not being in safe mode every morning and having to sift from 2nd gear because my first was a 2 legged dog..

when i switch i also tossed in a can of injector cleaner just to clean the junk crap out.

im still testing to see if my gas milage will go up or down to tune it back to normal.

anyone else enjoying the perks of 90's octane and of course the downside of a 50$ fillup.
HandsonMaxima. is offline  
Old 03-08-2010, 12:50 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
scrib99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 36
I use 93 in my 04 max but only 89 in my 99. I put alot of highways miles on the old one and the gas milage using 93 was lower than using 89 octane. Its a little bit slower, but i can deal with that. I just run some lucas injector cleaner every month and its fine.
scrib99 is offline  
Old 03-08-2010, 01:46 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
i use 90's too, felt a difference and i really dont care about gas mileage/cost so i always go for the highest
chrome91 is offline  
Old 03-08-2010, 02:35 PM
  #4  
Member
iTrader: (3)
 
NIGHTMAREuki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 194
what is this 87 you speak of, my VQ never seen anything other than 93
NIGHTMAREuki is offline  
Old 03-20-2010, 11:57 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
tht98maxkid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 59
Yeaaa my max feel just like how it was whn I bought it when 93 goes in. But I'm still trying to figure out if the gas mileage went up or down from me switching from 89
tht98maxkid is offline  
Old 03-23-2010, 06:08 PM
  #6  
Member
 
joker07x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NC
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by NIGHTMAREuki
what is this 87 you speak of, my VQ never seen anything other than 93
lol.. yea me too i feel guilty even thinkin bout pressing dat 89 button at the pump..
joker07x is offline  
Old 03-23-2010, 06:45 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (46)
 
schmellyfart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 3,827
You mean theres octanes higher than 87?
schmellyfart is offline  
Old 03-23-2010, 06:55 PM
  #8  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by schmellyfart
You mean theres octanes higher than 87?
If you're planning on street tuning your Max without grenading the engine, then yes.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 03-23-2010, 10:29 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (46)
 
schmellyfart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 3,827
Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
If you're planning on street tuning your Max without grenading the engine, then yes.
Well said.
schmellyfart is offline  
Old 03-24-2010, 06:40 PM
  #10  
Addicted to the Org
iTrader: (16)
 
maximized98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1,534
I always use 93. Even when it was 4.09 last summer, still had to do it. Although 62.00 fill ups was a little rough, it's worth it once you get out on the road.
maximized98 is offline  
Old 03-24-2010, 07:48 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
VQ30MPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 191
Anyone trying to test different fuel grades for mileage right now might get a false improvement from the switch. Summer is a lot better for mileage than winter because the temperature rises and the fuel is better across the board. Try it in the middle of summer and see what kind of results you get. I get better mileage on 92-3, without a doubt.
Also, the winter mix for one octane may help your mileage, but the summer mix of another might be better. Unfortunately, it's hard to know exactly what your gas station is putting into your tank, so there's a lot of guess work.

Last edited by VQ30MPG; 03-24-2010 at 07:52 PM.
VQ30MPG is offline  
Old 03-25-2010, 04:07 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
CraigSE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London, ON, Canada
Posts: 595
Always use premium in my cars that require it. Always use regular in my cars that require it.

My '02 runs so much better since I got it from the P.O. He was using 87 and after a few tanks of 94 she feels pretty much like she should.
CraigSE is offline  
Old 03-25-2010, 08:23 PM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
papilgee4evaeva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 58
We had customarily put 93 in the wife's car.

The other day I decided to try 91 for the first time (it's extremely hard to find 91 around Baltimore).

I'm going back to 93. I can definitely feel a difference.
papilgee4evaeva is offline  
Old 03-26-2010, 12:42 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
maXspeed96se's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,877
when i've been low on money, being unemployed, i've put in 87 about 2 times and have noticed a big difference performance wise. mpg has gone down too those times i used 87. 93 only for me
maXspeed96se is offline  
Old 03-26-2010, 10:23 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HandsonMaxima.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: akron, ohio
Posts: 699
well, it has been a couple weeks and i have to say, gas milage went up an easy 4-7%
normally i get about 400 to a tank on 87, now im at 450 with no light yet. but it was lots of highway driving, in the city it tanks a bit because of my newfound 1st gear powuh lol still getting used to it
HandsonMaxima. is offline  
Old 04-06-2010, 08:50 AM
  #16  
Boosted Panda
iTrader: (46)
 
Flava_24/7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 8,489
I cant use anything other then 93.....
Flava_24/7 is offline  
Old 04-06-2010, 09:00 AM
  #17  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by Flava_24/7
I cant use anything other then 93.....
If your FI is giving you issues and not letting you run other octanes, I could always take it off your hands.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 04-06-2010, 09:27 AM
  #18  
Boosted Panda
iTrader: (46)
 
Flava_24/7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 8,489
Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
If your FI is giving you issues and not letting you run other octanes, I could always take it off your hands.
LOL, it doesnt give me any issues. Its currently tuned on 93, and with the Texas heat I will always use the 93 octane.
Flava_24/7 is offline  
Old 04-06-2010, 09:49 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
mdliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: athens, ga
Posts: 386
no more 89 for me after reading this, i want to feel this diffence everyone is talking about and ill get back at ya, even when i put in 89 my freinds are like are you crazy thats so much more expensive why would you put that in.... lets see a reaction with the 93
mdliber is offline  
Old 04-06-2010, 09:55 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
aackshun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 5,404
I learned to always use 93 from my 5th gen, my city mpg would go down to 18-20 (from 25), and the car would feel so gutless below 3k. The savings were not worth the drop in fun and mpg.

I've never tried anything less than 91 in this car (Damn KS and it's lack of 93, I'd have to hunt down a BP whenever I took a trip outside of Manhattan, just to get 92).
aackshun is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 01:33 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
hot_wax_tree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,044
you guys are all crazy!! I use 87 always. i drive the hell out of it then fill it up with 87 again. I have never noticed a difference between 92or93 and 87. cause really theres not that great of a difference. you guys make is seem like night and day, its all in your mind. maybe it idles a little better but I have never noticed and trust me I know when this thing goes over a bump funny I always pay attention to the little stuff on this car. oh PS i put on about 300mi a week so I go threw my fair share of gas.

jake
hot_wax_tree is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 02:33 PM
  #22  
Junior Member
 
papilgee4evaeva's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 58
Originally Posted by hot_wax_tree
you guys are all crazy!! I use 87 always. i drive the hell out of it then fill it up with 87 again. I have never noticed a difference between 92or93 and 87. cause really theres not that great of a difference. you guys make is seem like night and day, its all in your mind. maybe it idles a little better but I have never noticed and trust me I know when this thing goes over a bump funny I always pay attention to the little stuff on this car. oh PS i put on about 300mi a week so I go threw my fair share of gas.

jake
True story below.

For about eight months my (wife's) Max had a busted KS due to repeated low-octane use and was running on retarded timing. I may as well have been driving an Altima 2.5 with the loss of power... and a Town Car with the loss of efficiency.

So paying more for gas by having to visit the pump more often is definitely not anything in my head.
papilgee4evaeva is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 03:25 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
i noticed a difference though with 93 and i blow through a tank usually every week to a week and a half, and ive got a 5 minute drive to work. a extra 15 cents/litre for 93 isnt going to kill me
chrome91 is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 07:15 PM
  #24  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by hot_wax_tree
you guys are all crazy!! I use 87 always. i drive the hell out of it then fill it up with 87 again. I have never noticed a difference between 92or93 and 87. cause really theres not that great of a difference. you guys make is seem like night and day, its all in your mind. maybe it idles a little better but I have never noticed and trust me I know when this thing goes over a bump funny I always pay attention to the little stuff on this car. oh PS i put on about 300mi a week so I go threw my fair share of gas.

jake
I used 87 for about a year. I definitely notice a difference now that I've switched to 93. The car feels more responsive from idle to 3k RPM. My gas mileage has also increased immensely. I'm actually breaking even/saving money by running 93 in my car. It used to take me about 4-5 days to drain a full (Over the F) tank of gas of 87. It takes me about 6 days to drain out a just below full tank of 93.

With the 87, my DTE gauge also used to tell me I could go between 50-55 miles on a 1/8 tank of gas. Now it runs somewhere around 70-75

Last edited by Mr. Brett; 04-08-2010 at 07:18 PM.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 08:20 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
STARR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 2,466
my 06 got nothing but 93, even when I was getting screwed over by my company and traveling a 1000 miles a week for work, still used 93

I've noticed many times over the year that certain cars that should get premium, are such different cars when your behind the wheel, slow no pickup, they lag, but since the owner is use to it they never pick it up, it's like when you get new tires, you did not realize how the ride deteriorated, but with new rubber it suddenly such a better ride
STARR is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:01 PM
  #26  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (13)
 
WhoDatBuuL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Phila.
Posts: 1,018
Man i swar our owner manual say use premium gas only.....
WhoDatBuuL is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:06 PM
  #27  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
Originally Posted by WhoDatBuuL
Man i swar our owner manual say use premium gas only.....

IIRC the 3rd gen one says use premium for best performance, someone posted a pic of the page in the owners manual
chrome91 is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:42 PM
  #28  
SuPeRmOd
iTrader: (6)
 
NismoMax80's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,377
Originally Posted by WhoDatBuuL
Man i swar our owner manual say premium gas recommended.....
fixed.

I remember realizing I hit the wrong button (stupid shell has the damn buttons reversed on the 2nd pump on the same side )
I was all
and pumped 93 to finish. So I basically bought 90 that day.

basically choose 87 if you feel you need to save roughly $0.25 a gallon.
choose higher if you experience knock or care about having the maximum possible output.
but stick with whichever one so your computer doesn't hate you.

93 for my 04 always and forever. it's a whopping 8% more
I remember when gas was less than $1. 93 cost at least 20% more back then.
NismoMax80 is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:55 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
im the one stuck paying over a dollar a litre (over $4/gallon) for gas and i'm in the Province with the most oil and gas resources, figure that one out
chrome91 is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:59 PM
  #30  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by chrome91
im the one stuck paying over a dollar a litre (over $4/gallon) for gas and i'm in the Province with the most oil and gas resources, figure that one out
Canadians and their weak sauce dollar.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 10:08 PM
  #31  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
Canadians and their weak sauce dollar.
we're nearly matched to you guys its like 1USD=1.0048CDN or something last time i checked

i think its because we export most of our oil/gas, but we only pay 5% GST and no PST so that kinda makes up for it
chrome91 is offline  
Old 04-08-2010, 10:41 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
 
hot_wax_tree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by papilgee4evaeva
True story below.

For about eight months my (wife's) Max had a busted KS due to repeated low-octane use and was running on retarded timing. I may as well have been driving an Altima 2.5 with the loss of power... and a Town Car with the loss of efficiency.

So paying more for gas by having to visit the pump more often is definitely not anything in my head.
i never said it doesn't help I just said you guys make it seem like day and night, obviously its different and there are ovbious benefits that come from higher octain. im just saying you guys are crazy for saying "oh boy I can tell the difference it is way faster and quicker off the line now." I just feel a statment like that is deserved for headers or some ACTUAL engine mod. its kinda like when someone says I did the ghetto air box mod and my car was WAY faster......really its not dude. im obsesed with my maxima so dont get me wrong but seriously im not stupid...its a 4-door family car man not a CTS-V or IS-F but a 255hp V6 (my 02) in reality....its in your head.

jake
hot_wax_tree is offline  
Old 04-09-2010, 01:26 PM
  #33  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Celired's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 86
Well I've used both 89 and 93, and I believe I get better mileage with 93, at least if I'm not driving like a maniac! If I drive normally, I get better milage with 93, the car seems to run a bit smoother and is less jerky.
Celired is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 05:49 AM
  #34  
NOT INVITED TO MAXUS 2010
iTrader: (1)
 
stockmaximaFTW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: boston
Posts: 318
Originally Posted by papilgee4evaeva
True story below.

For about eight months my (wife's) Max had a busted KS due to repeated low-octane use

that statement is wrong fyi.
stockmaximaFTW is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 08:25 AM
  #35  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
This argument will never end.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 02:06 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
STARR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 2,466
Originally Posted by SLCPunk267
This argument will never end.
yup their was someone in the 7th gen forum who said the gas attendant accidentally filled his car with 87 and the moment he started it till some BS time in history, whatever length of time he said he drove the car, he said it knocked and rattled and vibrated, thats a little extreme, in fact that is way over board, my 06 and 09 have both been on occasion filled with 87, and except for the lesser gas mileage still ran as smooth as ever just like on their diet of 93
STARR is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 04:24 PM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
hot_wax_tree's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by STARR
yup their was someone in the 7th gen forum who said the gas attendant accidentally filled his car with 87 and the moment he started it till some BS time in history, whatever length of time he said he drove the car, he said it knocked and rattled and vibrated, thats a little extreme, in fact that is way over board, my 06 and 09 have both been on occasion filled with 87, and except for the lesser gas mileage still ran as smooth as ever just like on their diet of 93
thats what im trying to say. I just dont get it when people say it is way faster and you can feel it. I think its funny
hot_wax_tree is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 10:18 PM
  #38  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by STARR
yup their was someone in the 7th gen forum who said the gas attendant accidentally filled his car with 87 and the moment he started it till some BS time in history, whatever length of time he said he drove the car, he said it knocked and rattled and vibrated, thats a little extreme, in fact that is way over board, my 06 and 09 have both been on occasion filled with 87, and except for the lesser gas mileage still ran as smooth as ever just like on their diet of 93
I mean...whatever you say.

My car also rattled and detonated under load with 87 in it. Vibrated, no. But the "bees in a can" sound, yes. I've since Seafoamed and started using 93. No more rattling and detonation.

I'm sure your car ran fine. But try stepping on it hard sometime when you have 87 in it. You'll feel the difference.

The car has a knock sensor for a reason. When it recognizes detonation, it retards ignition timing to keep the engine from getting damaged. The car, just in normal driving conditions will "feel" just fine, sure. But when you break it down, the car wasn't really designed to take 87, so you're only shortening the life expectancy of your engine...

Last edited by Mr. Brett; 04-10-2010 at 10:21 PM.
Mr. Brett is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 10:36 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
chrome91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 7,542
i can see feel it, going into higher RPM my 3rd gen sounds cleaner with 93 than 87, i still say just shell out a few extra bucks and get the best, same with oil, just get the best and dont cheap out
chrome91 is offline  
Old 04-10-2010, 10:40 PM
  #40  
iTrader: (7)
 
Mr. Brett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by chrome91
i can see feel it, going into higher RPM my 3rd gen sounds cleaner with 93 than 87, i still say just shell out a few extra bucks and get the best, same with oil, just get the best and dont cheap out
Maybe you're just imagining it. Sounds like you take acid before you drive...
Mr. Brett is offline  


Quick Reply: Switching octane



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:46 PM.