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Sedans Acura TL Acura TL and Premium vs Regular Gas
78 messages, Last post on Aug 03, 2009 at 5:44 PM
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Replying to: z71bill (Aug 15, 2006 6:51 am) Manufacturers like BMW, Porsche, Acura, etc. have put considerable engineering effort in getting the most power and efficiency out of their engines. I have a 3.8 liter 911S that can match an 8.0 liter Viper in 0-60 (4.0 seconds) and still got 27.8 mpg on a 360 mile highway trip at 75 mph. Both happen to use premium gas, but it appears that Porsche is much better at using higher compression and more precise ignition timing to achieve extraordinary performance with limited displacement. Last fall we drove straight from Pittsburgh to Annapolis with friends (about 300 miles). We were in our 2005 Acura MDX with our two kids. The other couple was in a 2005 Honda Pilot, with no kids. Our MDX was carrying at least 100 lbs more in people and luggage. We got 24.0 mpg, they got 22.5 mpg (the EPA highway rating is 23 and 22 respectively). As I understand it, these are virtually identical 3.5 liter V6 engines / 5-speed transmissions, with the MDX having a different exhaust system. The MDX uses premium and the Pilot uses regular gas. When I originally test drove both vehicles back to back, I noticed a smoother feel to the MDX, especially under hard acceleration. Not a dramatic difference, but a noticable one. Again, we bought the MDX over the Pilot for a combination of factors, but extra do-dads would not have carried the day if I hadn't also felt the MDX was a somewhat better performing vehicle. And yet I fully respect Pilot buyers who keep that extra $7,000+ in their pocket.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Aug 15, 2006 8:53 am) I now drive an 06 TL but have yet to try out regular gas. My point here is that it is certainly possible that the recommended premium gas in the TL is more a marketing scheme to further separate Honda and Acura. From the Acura standpoint, you lose power with regular gas. From the Honda standpoint, you gain power with premium gas. Either way, i do feel the TL has more power regardless of premium or regular gas. I do remember my 04 accord having a noticeable lag in acceleration with the A/C at full blast. In the TL, I have yet to feel said difference in power with or without the A/C on. |
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Replying to: xafwodahs (Jun 20, 2006 7:31 pm) I started my quest for a used car thinking Solara or Accord Coupe, lightly used. I test drove those as well as new '06 models. Then, on a whim, I test drove an ES 330. I almost bought an '05 ES, but read about tranny problems so I kept looking at similar cars and found that I liked the TL a lot. I test drove an '03 Accord Coupe and an '03 TL back-to-back and to me, the difference was huge. The toys like heated rear view mirror and memory adjustments were just an added bonus. I bought a TL because the acceleration was stronger and smoother, the ride smoother and quieter. It feels more luxurious and more sporty at the same time. For me, there is no comparison. I am happy to pay the price for premium gas. |
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Replying to: z71bill (Aug 14, 2006 7:26 am) It is true that this is not much of a difference in power, but you have to consider that these are the new SAE power ratings. The 2004 Honda Accord V6 was rated at 240hp and the 2004 Acura TL was rated at 270hp. Now from what I understand, the engines have not been changed since the cars were redesigned, so there is a much bigger difference in power, but the new ratings system seem to narrow the gap. I think that a 30hp difference justifies premium gas. |
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I do not understand what your are trying to say. You know both 2006 models are rated using the same method - the difference between the two engines is 14 HP. 14 is not 30. What does the old method have to do with anything? The question is - how much of the 14 HP is because of the larger displacement (3.2 VS 3.0) and how much is due the higher compression ratio (reason premium is required) I have no way of knowing - but part of the 14 HP must be because of the larger displacement - Like I posted before - if you gave TL buyers a chance to re program the 3.2 L to run on regular gas by flipping a switch on the dash and the result would be the loss of 7 HP (1/2 the difference - just a stab in the dark) I would bet many TL's would have their gas tanks full of regular unleaded - really - I bet many do anyway. Acura's use of premium is more marketing than performance - I bought the TL over the Accord because I like it better for many reasons - I use premium because that is what the car was designed to use - |
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Replying to: taxesquire (Aug 10, 2006 11:13 am)  :)This was using 93 octane. I use ONLY BP Amoco 93!!! Better H.P. better MPG. Why buy a car with a great engine and not treat it correctly. GO FOR IT!!! 
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Replying to: jdelabre (Dec 27, 2006 2:02 pm)
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Replying to: ggesq (Dec 28, 2006 9:49 am) I'll take your side on that bet, as well. On the other hand, even if it did show that on an overly generous dyno, it would be almost impossible to tell with ones own buttmeter. I have to carefully control my clutch outtake in my 2004 TL 6-speed so as not to spin the wheels and induce wheel hop and torque steer. And that's with the "restated" 258 hp / 238 ft lb. base engine. Adding more horsepower to a FWD platform definitely runs into the law of diminishing returns.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Dec 28, 2006 10:28 am) 
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Replying to: jdelabre (Dec 28, 2006 11:06 am) I'm sure you can do the math. It equates to about 230 WHP (wheel hp).
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