I thought I read somewhere that the newer year pathys (and maybe older too, i don't know) should get the highest grade of gasoline. Is this true..and if so, what would be the downfall of not using the highest grade?
I thought I read somewhere that the newer year pathys (and maybe older too, i don't know) should get the highest grade of gasoline. Is this true..and if so, what would be the downfall of not using the highest grade?
First (87-95)and third (05+) generation only need 87 octane. On the fuel doors, it basically says for optimum performance, higher octane fuel is needed. I've tried 91 octane on my 05 and didn't notice a difference in any area... mileage, knocking or pinging, acceleration, torque...
A higher octane isn't neccessary and the only downfall of not using the highest grade that I know of is your wallet stays fatter. )
LOL that's kind of what my thinking was too. I was noticing the price of premium gas today (i don't use it!) and I thought OH my goodness. I sure hope I don't HAVE to use it at that price! Well, not that the lower octane is MUCH better..anyway....
When I used the lower grade fuel, it seemed as if my engine knocked, so i immediately switched to the high grade. It's reccomended, so I use it and I notice a difference in my MPG. It seems as if I get more miles out of a higher octane fuel, then a lower octane fuel. I dont have to fill up as often. In the long run, it's just as cheap to fill up on the higher octane if you do a lot of highway driving. In the city, i would choose the low octane gas. Shoot, now that gas is almost $100 bucks a barrel, the 87 octane is looking good.
Started out with 89, but went to 87 and haven't seen any real difference. It still gets between 16 and 17.5 mpg on average. That's with the wife driving it 90 percent of the time in a mixed situation. If I'm driving, it never reaches 17. The power difference between the 87 and 89 aren't worth the extra money.
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'05 Pathfinder LE
'03 Saab 93SS
I have a 97 Pathfinder. Started with 87. Used it for 9 yrs. Started getting a ticking sound in the 9th yr when pressing the gas pedal down. Switched to 91 and the sound is hardly there.
i have noticed in my situation that i get almost 2 mpg more with super.
if you take the added cost to fill up about $4.00 and almost 40 more miles out of the tank it actually cost me less to run the higher grader of gas tank to tank.........
With the VQ-series engines, you get the best performance with premium fuel. You can use lower octane fuel safely, as any pre-ignition will trigger the knock sensor and the ECM will retard the engine timing (thus, decreasing performance).
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