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Sedans Acura TSX Acura TSX Real World MPG Numbers
221 messages, Last post on Sep 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
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Just a little more input on the effect of premium gas vs regular gas on mileage. It definately makes a difference! I have tested this out repeatedly on several different types of cars - sedans, minivans, auto transmission, manual transmission, ... Premium gas consistently improves the gas mileage - generally somewhere between 5 and 10% (usually 2-3 MPG for most cars that get 20-35 MPG). Personally I think it makes sense to pay even 10% more for premium, even if you only get 5% better mileage (the cost difference is often less than 10%). Better performance, cleaner burning (both for engine and out the tailpipe), less emission into our precious environment, .... - and better mileage. By the way, the "medium" grade fuel is NOT worth it - that is the biggest ripoff of them all - modest or negligable improvement in effiecience for a significant cost increase.
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Replying to: gdswede (Aug 03, 2005 4:57 am) |
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Have not experienced differences with using premium gas in a car rated for 87 octane. My expereince is that for engines requiring 87, use 87. 89-93 octane never appeared to me to improve performance, mileage or make the engine run any smoother or better. However, for engines requiring premium, I have experienced differences in performance, mileage and engine smoothness when running 87 octane, none for the better either. My experience has been consistant in running the engine with the octane that the manufacturer recommends. If Acura lists premium, then I would suggest that the buyer uses it. The anti-knock capability that manufacturers have included with their engines is just for that -- to reduce or eliminate pinging and knocking with sub-standard octane. It is not to mitigate performance reduction. (Wasn't the SAAB Lambda system the 1st car to have the capability to run regular instead of premium without knocking?) My take is that Acura is basically telling their customers that if you want to run lower octane, go ahead. It will not hurt the engine and it shouldn't make unnatural sounds in the engine compartment. However, for maximum performance and mileage, use the minimum recommended octane that they have designed their cars to run with. As manufacturers globalize their car platforms and engines, they need to be able to run the engines in locales that may have varying levels of gas based on the limitations of the local refineries. In Europe, it appeared to me in June, that most "petrol" stations had mostly premium and diesel. The car I rented required premium according to the sticker on the gas cap door. |
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Here is an interesting article on Regular vs. Premium gasoline. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8844563/ |
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Lainey -- Your link wasn't working when I tried it, but here's another from the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/05/AR2005080501595.html?sub=A- R Here are a few very brief excerpts: ***** Automotive experts say using regular gas in most vehicles does no damage and makes no discernible difference in performance. Cars made in the past 15 years have such highly refined computer controls that the engine will adjust to the grade of octane in the gasoline, even in cars sold as requiring premium gasoline. Some drivers -- in some cars under some driving conditions -- may notice a drop in horsepower, but for most people behind the wheel, it wouldn't be enough to notice, the experts say. "It's not going to hurt anything," said Peter Gregori, service manager for EuroMotorcars, a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Bethesda. In fact, Gregori has been using regular gas in one of his own Mercedes cars for two years, and "it's perfect," he said -- even though Mercedes-Benz says owners should use only premium. "I get better mileage with the regular than I do with the high-test, in this particular model that I have," Gregori said. Among cars that come in for service, Gregori said, he can't tell which have been sipping premium. |
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Replying to: jrynn (Aug 15, 2005 6:26 pm) 
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Replying to: jrynn (Aug 15, 2005 6:26 pm)
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Replying to: frisconick (Aug 20, 2005 10:55 am) I tested out regular in my wife's tsx. The car ran like a sick dog. This week...filled it back up with premium in hopes of exercising out those demon dogs. Next experiment....mid-grade.
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Replying to: delmar1 (Aug 21, 2005 8:08 pm) 
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I have noticed no difference in either performance or fuel economy. I get about 29+ mpg in my daily commute ( 40 mi, 80% state hwy). Tried regular once and noticed some slight hesitation when accelerating from stop.
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