I have a 1995 Accord LX i have 118k miles on it.

Should i be using the better gas (i.e Super Unleaded or even Premium) or is that stuff just a waste of money?

I get free gas so money isnt the issue - just what is better for my car?

 

There is no advantage for your car to use a higher octane than it requires unless you have the timing advanced or if your car is "pinging" now. If it is pinging there may be something else wrong that higher octane gas may not help anyway. There are other additives that may or not help with cleaning and so forth but it is not worth it. You can get solutions for that to add to the fuel yourself. BUT, if it is free it shouldn't hurt, only that it could effect the way the O2 sensor adjusts your fuel/air and timing if it sees that there is some unburned fuel becaus higher octane gas burns slower.

 

I agree with dodge.using 93 vs 87 won't help your fuel milage.Higher octane fuel only helps higher compression engines.I think your car has 8.8:1 compression but not sure.And the engine needs to have atleast somewhere around 11:1 comression to take advantage of the higher octane full. 11:1 may be alittle of of the actual mark but it's close.

 

For an engine specifically designed for it, 87 octain fuel actually works better than the higher versions. This is because of one simple rule:
Higher octain fuels burn slower than their lower octain cousins.

If you had modified the engine with things such as High Compression Pistons, hotter Spark Plugs and short(er) duration cams (Higher dynamic compression), You would then need a higher octain fuel.

Hopes this clears it up a little

P

 

Use mid-grade, as they have all the additives of premium fuel in lower octane variety. There isn't any noticible performance difference, but my car definitely runs smoother on mid-grade over regular.

 

Ok I'll say it again. It's like if you wear a size 10 shoe, but you buy a size 13 instead, because your getting more shoe for the money. You are getting more shoe, but if it doesn't fit, it does you no good.

 

for any accord older than 2003 it is a waste of money to use anything other than 87 octane. The ECU cannot make use of the higher octane fuel. IF your car runs better on hifg octane fuel, then the engine needs attention or it's your imagination.

 

Alright - I think ill just use regular unleaded - the cheapest stuff.

And i see those things at autozone - that you pour in you gas tank and it supposledly adds better gas miliage - is that true?

 

Is it motor oil - or a additive to the gas?

 

Honda and Chevy recommend Chevron/Texaco for their cars. Because of their detergent additives.

 

Several things that I have found of value one (1) is the use of a fuel injector cleaner. I throw a can in the tank once every three months.
(2) For long term storage I've taken to using a product called "Sta-Bil". It keeps the fuel in a gas tank from going stale, and gumming stuff up if stored too long. I learned of this several years ago from a friend in the Marine industry here in RI. Boatyards use it in large boats going into storage for the winter.

P

 

Im going to pick up some of that techron and fuel injector cleaner today.

Thanks for all the help.

 

What kind/brand of fuel injector cleaner do you use? There are 10 million different kinds, and prices to match. I keep looking at them, and can't decide which one to get.

 

to add into this thread:

using a higher octane gas in an engine requiring 87 octane only would lead to more carbon buildup on the exhaust valves...

there's a bulletin on certain 2.5 Mazda's where owners had to be told to use only 87 octane in their v-6 engines. The techs had to use a special orifice tube(to slowly distribute the solvent @ a slower rate), a solvent-resistent hose, & a decarbonizer ie GM top-end cleaner or seafoam to blow out the excess carbon deposits... they also use a certain vaccuum hose ONLY in that location to maximize solvent distribution to all cylinders. Sucked in 1/2 bottle (~7 oz.) w/in ~2min while throttleing 1500-3000 rpms, stalled it, soak for about an hour(overnight is best, but who has the time?), then, repeat for the rest of the bottle. took it out & punch the throttle a few times to get rid of the rest of the solvent/carbon bits...

http://www.motor.com/magazine.htm @ the end of this mag/wife threw it out before i could get the mazda part # (garrrrr)

PS: if you're gonna try that gas-saver additive--> there's a special from autozone, i think there's a free-after-mail-in-rebate for 1 of those items

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Get Gumout Gas Mileage Improver FREE, after mail-in rebate, regular price $5.99 each*
*Free Mail-In Rebate offer limited to one 12 oz Gumout Gas Mileage Improver per household or address. Limit restrictions void in New Mexico. Offer limited to in-stock items only. Not valid with any other offer.Offer not available in Michigan or Connecticut.</TD></TR></TABLE>

from their website @ "In Our Stores" link... Have wife put it in your tank unknowingly during the month that you'll be tracking your mileage...so you won't adjust for the placebo effect & see if this really works.


Modified by ricebike at 8:42 AM 1/30/2006

 

use the premium gas, its much better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirtyorange &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">use the premium gas, its much better. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wrong answer, please try again.

 

STP injector cleaner works well, it seems to have made my acceleration smoother, if thats possible ?? Its the first one Ive put in, owned car for about 3 months,but Ive put 6K miles on it already .