| anyone use other than 91 octane, if so? how perform?
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I am a little concerned that the mdx uses minimum 91 octan, which is 25% more expanesive than the 87 octane i am used to in my subaru outback
That would substantially increase operating costs for me as I drive 25k per year and like my 21-22 MPG ave on my Outback
Any experience with either 89 alone, or 87 or mix of 91 and 87 alternatively? to lower cost of operation?
tx
paul |
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There's been a lot of discussion on this - do a search on octane; there's a thread I started back in December, and a more recent one dominated by physicists, engineers and one physisist (must be an Ohio State grad).
I'd summarize it for you, but basically no one agrees on anything. It's interesting though. |
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All the physics arguments aside, it seems a road test is pretty good testimony. I currently have a '95 Range Rover that is supposed to run on premium gas. A few years ago I ran several tanks of gas of (a) premiun grade and then several tanks of (b) mid-grade gasoline and kept records of costs and mileage. I discounted the first tank of crossover fuel (mixed octaines) and came to the following general conclusions.
Running the premium gas, the engine seemed to be more responsive. It also got better mileage. Using mid-grade resulted in a little reduction in performance and mileage. HOWEVER in comparing cost per mile, it was virtually a dead heat. More expensive gas (prem), more mileage - cheaper gas, less mileage. Net expense to travel "x" miles, in all types of driving - about the same.
Since the manufacturer of the car suggests premium, that's probably better for the car but my RR dealer says a good grade of gas using either premium or mid-grade is OK.
Obviously this is not a test on an MDX, but I might guess the results would be similar.
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ghost,
You forgot to mention chemists! But tomgb's field research makes intuitive sense. I believe the MDX has an octane sensor as do many vehicles such as my 1994 Subaru SVX. The octane sensor retards the spark which reduces the cylinder compression which reduces efficiency. In other words, less octane, lower efficiency, less performance and lower mpg.
Netcommuner if you had purchased a new Outback with the H6 you would have had to use premium as I do in my SVX because it is the same higher compression engine. The Outback is a whole lot smaller than a MDX and comes with fewer creature comforts. I know, I have owned Subarus for the past 15 years.
Quit whining about the gasoline price and be thankful you are actually driving an MDX, unlike those of us still waiting for ours. Also, if you lived in the Chicago area as I do, you would be paying 20 cents a gallon more for whatever grade of gasoline you'd be using so be thankful for that also. Remember, optimism means the gas tank is always half full not half empty!:D |
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Was at the dearler Saturday and picked up the new 2002 TL Brochure. Not sure if the info is applicable but ...
Under General Specifications Acura lists Recommended Fuel as "Premium Unleaded 91 octane" with a footnote! The footnote reads "Gasoline with an octane number lower than 91 may be used, with reduced performance." I suspect the MDX operates the same way. |
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Where do you live! 25% more?
Here in San Diego, CA, we are getting screwed for Gasoline of any level. The oil/gas companies are further rubbing it in the faces of San Diegans when people just 1 1/2 hours north in Los Angeles are paying on average 15 to 20 cents less, regardless of grade.
In San Diego, I'd say currently, I see about an average of $1.95 for Super (91,92 Octane) and $1.75 for Regular (87 Octane). That's only a 11.5% difference.
Basically, don't worry about it! You bought an SUV, the BEST SUV (IMO), and even though it may have one of the best gas mileage ratings in it's class, it is still an SUV, and it still thinks gas is water. Live with it, ENJOY IT, and realize you're really only paying a few or more hundred bucks for the whole year to enjoy your MDX!
Compared to my old '94 Montero, this baby (my MDX) usually squeezes out an extra 3 MPG on average, it's like getting 3 gallons free every tank.
PS - The post before is correct, PREMIUM is just "Recommended". |
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