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Acura TL and Premium vs Regular Gas

78 messages,  Last post on Aug 03, 2009 at 5:44 PM

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#6 of 78 Did a try...and maybe too early to tell. by awhm Jun 23, 2006 (5:54 am)
I picked up a loaner car (TL) today; as our new TL is being serviced. I cannot, for the life of me, imagine someone using a loaner paying more than the minimum for gasoline, e.g. 87 octane. Like putting the cheapest gas in a rental. The tank was almost empty, and the gas light was on. I filled up with a few gallons of 87 and the car is running fine after 50+ miles. Now, too early for me to tell what the long term effects are, but I can't be the first to use the lower grade. The car (with 16K miles) runs fine, but I did notice that the acceleration was a bit hindered - but no knocking. Perhaps the reasons for manufacturers to state requirements for 91+ octane (premium fuel,) in to meet their advertised performance claims. I recall BMW recommending 92 octane, but saw no difference 91 or 93. However, did see a big performance difference between mid grade/low grade 89/87 and 91. Replies to this message: igiban (Jun 28, 2006 8:57 pm) 8motor8pheen8 (Jun 29, 2006 11:04 am)
#7 of 78 Re: Did a try...and maybe too early to tell. [awhm] by igiban Jun 28, 2006 (8:57 pm)
Replying to: awhm (Jun 23, 2006 5:54 am) Did you notice mpg dropped vs. using premium? Replies to this message: 8motor8pheen8 (Jun 29, 2006 11:04 am)
#8 of 78 Re: Did a try...and maybe too early to tell. [igiban] by 8motor8pheen8 Jun 29, 2006 (11:04 am)
Replying to: igiban (Jun 28, 2006 8:57 pm) hi i just setup my acct. but i have an 03 tl and i have noticed no difference in the mid to highgrade change but every time i put in low grade it what i call starts to stutter and putter but thats all i have noticed. i have also noticed that the gas mileage to begin with in my car is highly unpredictable even if u use premium. does someone have an answer or solution to this if u have also noticed or heard about this.
#9 of 78 Tid bit of info by slimjim2 Aug 08, 2006 (2:17 pm)
Regarding octane, the premium gas is actually harder to ignite therefore tolerating higher compressions and you get more power output. Cheaper gas is actually has a lower flash point under higher compression therefore having spontaneous ignition before top dead center (producing the detrimental knock).   Most new cars do have knock sensors that in fact retard the timing to ignite the gas at a lower compression (to protect your engine). This does lower power output and the driver will inevitably push harder on the gas pedal to maintain drivability. This will in turn decrease your MPG.   This is a round about way of saying, pay for the correct octane. You will get the satisfaction of having the correct amount of power output, better MPG, fewer fill-ups, safer fuel for your car, and will ultimately spend the same if not less money in the long run. If this aggravates you, go bland and buy an accord.
#11 of 78 Buy the Accord? by z71bill Aug 08, 2006 (5:51 pm)
Let me go out on the limb with a saw in my hand -   I bet if Acura offered a no charge re flash on the control module (assume its that simple - lets not get too technical) for the 3.2L engine in the TL that reduced the HP down to the Accord's "pitiful" 240 6244 RPM and the "doesn't have enough torque to get out of its own way" 211 foot pounds 5,000 RPM - rather than the AMAZING 258 HP at 6200 RPM and the OUT OF THIS WORLD 233 foot pounds at 5,000 RPM found in the TL - but allowed regular gas to be used that MANY people would ask for the change. By many I mean between 35 and 50 percent.   For some warped reason Acura, Lexus, BMW & MB (plus others) think a car that requires premium fuel somehow equals more prestige. What would the 3.2L have for power if it was programed for regular? I don't know - but it must be somewhere between the 3.0L Accord's power and the 3.2L TL? How much more power did premium really give us?   Best would be a button on the dash so you could switch between regular, plus or premium fuel. Most would not even miss the puny increase in power as a result of the extra octane. But then some would be shamed at the gas pump when they select regular gas! But then I guess most would just send their servants out to fill up their cars!   I will burn premium in the TL - because that is what it was designed to use - but I doubt my wife (its her daily driver) would ever miss the extra power (over the 3.0L V6 Accord). Replies to this message: taxesquire (Aug 10, 2006 11:13 am) jdelabre (Dec 27, 2006 2:02 pm) ggesq (Dec 28, 2006 9:49 am) and 5 more... 06tl (Aug 11, 2006 8:33 am) habitat1 (Aug 13, 2006 11:11 am) geojb3 (Feb 02, 2009 2:28 pm) ohoh2 (Jun 07, 2009 11:01 am)
#12 of 78 Re: Buy the Accord? [z71bill] by taxesquire Aug 10, 2006 (11:13 am)
Replying to: z71bill (Aug 08, 2006 5:51 pm) Great post! I didn't realize the Accord and TL were so close in terms of HP & torque. Replies to this message: jdelabre (Dec 27, 2006 2:02 pm) ggesq (Dec 28, 2006 9:49 am) habitat1 (Dec 28, 2006 10:28 am) and 4 more...
#13 of 78 taxesquire by z71bill Aug 10, 2006 (1:11 pm)
Actually I had a typo in that post - the Accord has 244 HP at 6,244 RPM (not 240).
#14 of 78 Re: Buy the Accord? [z71bill] by 06tl Aug 11, 2006 (8:33 am)
Replying to: z71bill (Aug 08, 2006 5:51 pm) very good response. I don't know if you actually know this to be fact but it makes a lot of sense. I just bought my new TL and I'm wrestling with the same issue. Only for me the diff is .25 cents per gallon for premium. so far I used plus 89 and prem 93 with no difference in performance. I have also gone easy during the break-in phase of 600miles

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