I have just completed my test of fuel economy using 87-octane vs. 93-octane. To read about it, click here: Fuel Economy Test
I agree with your statement that the price difference is not worth the switch for mileage gains; however, (excuse my ignorance) does not premium fuel offer any other benefits in maintaining the overall condition of the engine? Otherwise, does Premium fuel contain any other agents that regular lacks that keeps the engine running cleaner and efficient over time?
Islander
ps. Thanks for posting, I was wondering if there was much of a difference. I usually alternate ie. 91,89,87,91,89,87, etc. etc.
I agree with your statement that the price difference is not worth the switch for mileage gains; however, (excuse my ignorance) does not premium fuel offer any other benefits in maintaining the overall condition of the engine? Otherwise, does Premium fuel contain any other agents that regular lacks that keeps the engine running cleaner and efficient over time? Islander
I was afraid that I would open this can of worms. We'll soon be bombarded with personal opinions, anecdotal evidence, and pure fairy dust about the relative benefits of regular vs. premium fuel. Here are some facts that are pretty well supported by research:
-It is best to use the fuel recommended for your particular engine. "Treating" your baby to a tank of premium is an absolute waste of money if she has been designed to run on regular. As a vehicle ages, carbon deposits in the combustion chamber might require the use of higher-octane fuel.
-U.S. Government regulations require that all gasoline contain detergent additives. Of course, not all additives are the same, but the "good for your engine" claims are mostly marketing hype from the oil companies. There is some evidence that the use of premium fuel in engines not designed for it can actually create harmful deposits on the valves. If you're worried about clogged injectors, run a can of injector cleaner through the tank every 6 months or so.
-My 2005 Frontier owner's manual says that the recommended fuel is minimum 87 octane. The next paragraph states that 91 octane can be used for improved performance; as my tests have shown, there is very little (if any) improvement in fuel economy with premium. Is there actually a horsepower increase? I'll let you know next week--I have a dyno testing session scheduled and I'll file a report.
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jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm
I thought 93 octane was the recommended fuel for the 6-cyl, no?
You don't get any pinging under load?
No, and no. As stated in my earlier post, 87 octane is the minimum recommended in the owners manual for the 4.0 V-6. Nissan' s rating of 265 HP was done on 87 octane, probably as a competitive edge to Toyota which uses premium fuel to get 245 HP from the Tacoma. My truck runs perfectly well on 87-octane with no sign of pinging, even under heavy load. If you've checked out my page on dyno testing you'll see that my truck managed 222 REAR WHEEL horsepower on 87-octane (very impressive, and showing that Nissan's 265 crank HP might even be conservative) and we had no pinging during the testing. To see the tests, click here:
No, and no. As stated in my earlier post, 87 octane is the minimum recommended in the owners manual for the 4.0 V-6. Nissan' s rating of 265 HP was done on 87 octane, probably as a competitive edge to Toyota which uses premium fuel to get 245 HP from the Tacoma. My truck runs perfectly well on 87-octane with no sign of pinging, even under heavy load. If you've checked out my page on dyno testing you'll see that my truck managed 222 REAR WHEEL horsepower on 87-octane (very impressive, and showing that Nissan's 265 crank HP might even be conservative) and we had no pinging during the testing. To see the tests, click here:
I just looked at my '04 Owner's Manual again and it is only the supercharged 6-cyl that requires a higher (91) octane rating -- I thought I had seen all 6-cyls as 91.
BTW, very nice Website.
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Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd My Frontier Page
Thanks for answering my questions.
This is good to know. Regular fuel right now costs $.93 a litre and Premium costs $1.00 per litre. Or $3.53 a gallon for regular and $3.8 for a gallon of premium. Big difference in price makes a big difference in my wallet.
Islander
I dont know if anyone knows, but the octane is used primarily to control detonation. Higher the octane, it retards the timing. The lower...etc...etc...
I dont know if anyone knows, but the octane is used primarily to control detonation. Higher the octane, it retards the timing. The lower...etc...etc...
Actually it's just the opposite--the higher the octane the more you are able to ADVANCE the timing. The 2005 Frontier owner's manual states that the minimum fuel requirement was 87-octane but higher octane could be used for increased performance. I only ran this test to see whether this engine made significantly more power on 93-octane than it did on 87; my (admittedly unscientific) dyno test indicated that it didn't. Since that time I have used only regular unleaded fuel and my engine runs happily on it.
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jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm
You are the greatest. You do a lot of time consuming research for the rest of us and I for one want you to know
that your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Keep the information coming as it is always interesting.
Gerald
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reverendbiker
I have just completed my test of fuel economy using 87-octane vs. 93-octane. To read about it, click here: Fuel Economy Test
You are the greatest. You do a lot of time consuming research for the rest of us and I for one want you to know
that your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Keep the information coming as it is always interesting.
Gerald
Thanks, Gerald. I am still waiting to see if anyone comes up with a well-designed intake kit so that I can test it. AFE is about to sell one that looks promising, and they are claiming an 11HP increase. Can't wait to get one installed and put the truck on the dyno. Stay tuned...
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jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm
Reverendbiker, check out this thread from another board. They may be getting ready for a mass order. And I really appreciate all the time you spent letting all of us know how things are going with your truck and for showing me my trucks potential. At least I can dream...
Reverendbiker, check out this thread from another board. They may be getting ready for a mass order. And I really appreciate all the time you spent letting all of us know how things are going with your truck and for showing me my trucks potential. At least I can dream...
Thanks, Bro. I have been watching that thread and am ready to jump in on a group buy if they can get one together.
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jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm
Actually it's just the opposite--the higher the octane the more you are able to ADVANCE the timing. The 2005 Frontier owner's manual states that the minimum fuel requirement was 87-octane but higher octane could be used for increased performance. I only ran this test to see whether this engine made significantly more power on 93-octane than it did on 87; my (admittedly unscientific) dyno test indicated that it didn't. Since that time I have used only regular unleaded fuel and my engine runs happily on it.
Octane retards timing.....it help pre-ignition. Yes, it allows you to advance timing to correct the ignition phasing.
Linear Mode
