Gas grade for 2002 Altima

danz300 · Apr 17th, 2003, 04:51 PM

Just had a wild hair today, saw a 2002 Altima SE, loaded, 25K miles and is will be for sale soon. How do these things run on regular gas? Or do you have to run premium gas. I have a 1990 300 ZX and it runs like crap on regular. Any help would be appreciated.

altima25s · Apr 18th, 2003, 07:48 AM

I have a 2002 altima2.5s and even though it isn't the V6, all of the altima's take regular gas. Clearly stated in the owners manual. You do know that isn't a big difference in the gases. You just pay more for premium. Thats about it.

dschrier · Apr 18th, 2003, 10:24 AM

If the zx is turbo I would definately put premium in because you might cause detonation and pinging, not sure about the non-turbos though.

Afty · Apr 18th, 2003, 11:01 AM

The 3.5 runs fine on regular, but "premium fuel is recommended for best performance," as the owner's manual says.

MakoMeat · Apr 18th, 2003, 11:52 AM

I've got an 03' and has been fed a stedy diet of regular since day 1.
But like Afty posted "premium fuel is recommended for best performance" if you need it.

Ruben · Apr 19th, 2003, 03:33 PM

I found my gas mileage is less on regular unleaded....

altima25s · May 7th, 2003, 01:01 PM

well as the owners manual for a 2002 nissan altima 2.5 S says...........regular gas is recommended.
If you can use regular gas and get away with it, WHY would you spend the extra dollars for "premium" gas?? We are talking about a nissan altima not a Bently.

johnmann · Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:14 AM

There is no performance gain from using higher octane gas in a 2.5, unless your timing has been advanced, or you are running forced induction.

johnmann · Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:16 AM

To answer your question, the 3.5 will retard the timing at the slightest hint of detonation with regular gas, resulting in lost hp. This has been dyno-proven, search.

3.5SE Auto · Jun 2nd, 2003, 07:19 PM

about premium

the 3.5's knock sensor is proven to kick in on hot engines during dyno's with regular gas

seen it don't remember where.

Ratwayne · Jun 2nd, 2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OhThreeSpecV
I found my gas mileage is less on regular unleaded....

I agree, the manual says at least 91 octane for the 3.5. It thrives on the 91. I have 24 K on mine now.

**ALTYHOLIC** · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ratwayne
I agree, the manual says at least 91 octane for the 3.5. It thrives on the 91. I have 24 K on mine now.

Where you been, Rat?

Down here in Texas we get 93 from the pump!

Ratwayne · Jun 3rd, 2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ALTYHOLIC
Where you been, Rat?

Down here in Texas we get 93 from the pump!

Hi Alex, took a sabatical, hahaha I heard there was 93 in Texas. Must be for all those ElDorados.

**ALTYHOLIC** · Jun 3rd, 2003, 10:07 AM

Sabatical, huh?
O.k. if you say so!

Yeah, when you put the bullhorns
on the front of the El Dorado, it tends
to weigh it down, so the 93 comes in handy!

costen · Aug 28th, 2003, 07:03 PM

I just got my new 03 alti 3.5 and I've noticed some pinging after highway driving home from work. It's got 500 miles on it and the dealer originally filled the tank up for me gratis. Does anyone think maybe they used regular 87 oct and this is why it has been pinging? I just filled it up yesterday with 91 and it still pings a bit... Is this normal?! I didn't expect a new engine to be doing this and I'm hoping the VQ engine is 'bulletproof' like the sales guy said.....