Does my car need premium fuel?

Sean Wardrope explains how you will know whether your car needs premium fuel or not.

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[techsitter]

What? Did I hear correctly that you said "we would say to customers go ahead and just use regular mid rate unleaded as premium is not necessary but if you do open your cap and it does say premium recommended or required then definitely go with premium"? What the hell does that mean?

[mikechessin]

I'm coming out with a new product later this year called premium air, that will be sold at CVS and Walgreens. The bottle will say you can keep breathing the free air around you in you choose to, that's up to you, but I would RECOMMEND that you breath PREMIUM air, or better yet, pick up some PREMIUMPLUS air coming out next year.

[sonofrobert]

Wonderful!
About '14 Acura MDX
Regular gas (87 octane) can be used for short periods, but Acura warns: “The use of regular unleaded gasoline can cause metallic knocking noises in the engine and will result in decreased engine performance. The long-term use of regular-grade gasoline can lead to engine damage.”

[emmanuelalva]

My ridgeline runs on 87 but RDX(v6) recommends premium. I’m guessing it’s just for performance because both engines are basically the same on these cars.

[EmilyTienne]

He doesn’t say why you should use premium if the car manufacturer only recommends it but doesn’t require it. In my reasoning, if there were even the slightest risk of damage to the engine, the car maker would use the word, “required.”

[jd]

Ive had a 2017 qx50 fifteen months now always use regular and it runs gret.I honestly just learned im supposed to use premium so will start.Ive put 8000 m on the car runnin reguler

[tomdolgin]

You mean to say, look in your owners manual. My 2012 TSX 2.4 says “unleaded fuel octane 91 required, ” on the fuel pump door. BUT in the manual, it says that 91 is recommended and that a lower grade fuel may be used, but not below 87. The annoying thing down here in Florida is that 99.9% of gas stations only have 87, 89, and 93. I’ve been to other states and seen 87, 89, 91, and 93, which is how it should be. I don’t want to put 89 in, but I also don’t really want to put 93 in also. So I just use Shell Nitro V-power 93. I’ve always wondered this...the timing will retard to adjust to the 87 or 89 and some people say it “can” damage the engine in the long haul. But what’s to say that 93 won’t cause damage too? It’s above what the manufacturer recommends and may make the engine run waaay too hot. Just my $0.02.

[UFOsExst]

Guys… here is the real answer. Use regular if you are not planning on being on boost and stepping on the gas and will just drive conservatively. If you want to drive hard then empty the tank and fill up with premium.

[marketplayer]

If you look at acura's manual in the QA section it says that using 87 can cause knocking in the engine which ultimately can lead to engine damage. You should be ok with putting 87 if you can't find 91 but doing so on daily basis will probably lead to engine damage. Read the manual.

[dawfurby]

Honestly, use 89 or higher, don’t use 87 in acuras. 89 is a good do it all alternative to 91 when you can’t find 91 or can’t afford it. Every 3 fill ups put a full tank of premium 91 in though, and you should be fine. 87 will work but you’re better off with an octane closer to 91 than not.

[qasimhaleimi]

My car manual mentioned premium fuel recommended for optimal performance if not found fill with regular temporary does this mean premium required my car is Toyota Prado V6 engine 2015 middle east model

[CharlesSmith-kizk]

Straight to the point. Thanks great video.

[clementding]

This guy just said what manual says, thank you for not helping, I use 87 and get 31mpg high way on my 2017 MDX, I used 91 for a while, didn't get any better. And I don't feel any sluggish while using 87. I'm not aggressive driver but I'm not that slow either.

[sonofrobert]

@thedarkkinght24 
My VW 1.8 tsi Sportwagon has always had 87 and has never knocked. My mpg record is 39 mpg and higher octain is said to give even higher performance but I haven't tried it. Premium fuel not required.
We are looking at possibly getting a '14 MDX for my wife but I want to be sure on the fuel situation and there may be too much going on with the car, like what happens when the auto telescoping steering wheel brakes..lol
'15 VW 1.8 tsi doesn't knock on '87..lol. I've heard mechanics say Hondas are prone to knocking on cold start ups, as opposed to the VW, which has never knocked. Even in super cold weather!
The TSI is even a turbo engine and can handle the '87!

[JoseTorres-stic]

While the 2022 Acura MDX is capable of driving on regular gas, it will not drive the same. And, in the short run will cause build up to your fuel injection system because of slower combustion. I did attempted this in my car and quite noticeably experienced a change in how the car ran. Also, my car experienced slight vibration to engine while idling. Personally, I will continue to use the premium gas and enjoy the longevity of a beautiful ride. If you can’t afford it, then get a Pilot.

[qasimhaleimi]

If it says recommended and you fill with regular and hear engine knock then it is required ?!

[christophermosley]

Sometimes if I'm being cheap with my gas I'll get mid grade or regular and use an octane booster to save a buck (2010 TL SH-AWD)

Premium makes the car run better Jseries motors are built with 11:1 fuel ratio so it's gonna need a higher octane gas to get the proper performance and gas mileage I promise using lower grade doesn't help gas mileage. (Personal experience from owning several integrals and 08TL now recently stated model).

[musicfashionstyle]

Premium run better unleaded for my Acura Tsx 2009.