Premium gas

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Mac66

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Just purchased 2013 QX56 black on black with triple pack. Quick question manual states premium recommended, yet you can put in lower octane but it will affect performance.

How many members put in mid grade or regular and have they seen lower performance?
 
fuel

Yeah, 93 octane is best I can do around here in Virginia. I buy from my nieces third grade friend Julie's, grand-dad that owns the 'service station' which sells the PURE brand of gasoline with no ethanol. He is owner-operator & fix your tire too.

Its a little more than the cheapie corporation gas station across the street, but I like helping the small business guy that has been there for years, who does sell a better product. Don't believe me that it makes a difference? I suggest you ask all the motorcyclist and lawn care guys that drive for miles to fuel up there. The QX likes it very well.(My Triumph does too !):D
Only time the QX see's ethanol is when were out of town.
Check out http://pure-gas.org/ to find a station near you, I hope.
Your QX will appreciate it, and you won't have to listen to 'pinging'.
Have a good one !
Parrott
2011 QX56, 20 inch wheels, Black on Black, Tech pkg, new air filter, and new key fob battery on the way.
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Premium is recommended, however using regular is ok too. Note that using regular fuel will result in decreased performance (reduced HP) and responsiveness.
 
I receive better performance and gas mileage when I use premium. I skimped and used mid grade for minute and the difference was noticeable.
 
I used to use premium on my cars.... after years of my father-in-law poking fun at me for "throwing away $$" I switched to regular a few years back.

Never noticed any difference.

Even on my 2 LS460's over the years (supposedly requires premium) and on the QX.... no difference noted what-so-ever. Supposedly hotter burning high-performance engines need the premium stuff.

I do take my cars in for the factory recommended service -- perhaps over time they might start acting up on regular fuel if not for that.

It's not really the extra 30-40 cents per gallon that bugs me, just the fact that I have a sneaky suspicion that these "premium" fuels are just a marketing ploy.... not really sure on this one, but my cars drive very nicely on the regular stuff.
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jgm2626 said:
I used to use premium on my cars.... after years of my father-in-law poking fun at me for "throwing away $$" I switched to regular a few years back.

Never noticed any difference.

Even on my 2 LS460's over the years (supposedly requires premium) and on the QX.... no difference noted what-so-ever. Supposedly hotter burning high-performance engines need the premium stuff.

I do take my cars in for the factory recommended service -- perhaps over time they might start acting up on regular fuel if not for that.

It's not really the extra 30-40 cents per gallon that bugs me, just the fact that I have a sneaky suspicion that these "premium" fuels are just a marketing ploy.... not really sure on this one, but my cars drive very nicely on the regular stuff.
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High octane is needed for higher compression motors
 
Terrific article, thanks!

The last paragraph seems to sum it all up nicely:

If the car is sufficiently new and sophisticated, it may not suffer any ill effects, but all such skinflints should be ready to switch back to premium at the first sign of knock or other drivability woes. And finally, if a car calibrated for regular fuel begins to knock on anything less than premium or midgrade, owners should invest in a tuneup, emissions-control-system repair, or detergent additives to solve, rather than bandage, the root problem. Class dismissed.
 
I recently purchased a used 2008 QX56. I put 93 premium gas, just as recommended.
If you really think about it, you save very little if you put the lower octane. Not worth it in my opinion.
 
I have always used 93 or higher octane fuel, but the following link adds additional items for discussion.

Tier 1 or Top Detergent fuel. It's an interesting read.

"The Top Tier designation is separate from the issue of octane levels ... "​
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When you try to save on gas you lose on performance! On a full tank of gas you might save $4.But lose on mpg and hp. I get 21mpg city driving with Premium .
 
Lucky you, I just fuelled up 2 days ago and I am currently sitting at 19.4L per 100 kms or 12.12 mpg (US) or 14.56MPG (IMP) for city driving. Not very good.... :(
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAIT_vn0WSY

Any new car with a modern ECU won't be damaged by using regular gasoline. Octane has nothing to do with the quality of fuel. Buy your gas from a reputable source, and you'll be fine.
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bigdogbts said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAIT_vn0WSY

Any new car with a modern ECU won't be damaged by using regular gasoline. Octane has nothing to do with the quality of fuel. Buy your gas from a reputable source, and you'll be fine.
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That is not completely true...yes it won't damage the motor and emissions right away but over time it can...ive seen this happen and DIG engines already have enough issues with carbon build up. I don't understand why people want to cheap out on fuel. Its not even the cost of a damn cup of over priced Starbucks per a tank. If you don't want to pay for premium then buy a vehicle that doesn't require it!

And as for the cleaning additives being the same in all grades of fuel....thats false too...Chevron puts more techron in their premium. Shell V-power has more additives than their regular....and yes...I know this for a fact...im an engineer and I have ties with people who work for both companines.


I will stop ranting now...the purpose of the ECM being able to adjust the timing is so that if you CANT find the proper grade you can get what you can find so you can keep driving...like when we get hit with hurricanes and their is a fuel shortage.
 
My M35H says premium as well which really means minimum 91 octane. I always use 89 octane and never a notice or issue.
 
Mfnf said:
My M35H says premium as well which really means minimum 91 octane. I always use 89 octane and never a notice or issue.
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Why? No you probably don't 89 is better than regular but still not what's required...the ECM is retarding the timing but if you drive under heavy throttle or under a load you will notice a difference...the manufacturer says use premium for a reason...they aren't owned by the oil companies...so they are just supporting them.

I don't under why people don't want to use the correct fuel...$4-5/ tank on a $60k+ on a truck or car....but to each their own...
 
Rsanders24 said:
I don't understand why people don't want to use the correct fuel...$4-5/ tank on a $60k+ on a truck or car....but to each their own...
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I agree with you 100% .. I too am perplexed why some choose this route.
 
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