Ever since I bought a 98 Accord EX V6 brand new, I've been using Sunoco Ultra 94 Gasoline. I recently spoke to a mechanic at some Honda Dealer and he told me to switch to 87 Gasoline because it will give me better gas mileage. If I just switch the gasoline grades just like that, will it have an effect on my car and the life of my car. So far, I have 175K and its running fine.

 

NO.

I have the same car as you. The V6 is designed by honda to run on 87 octane. Nothing will change. No damage will be done.

 

P.S.

Funniest Question. Ever.

 

I'm not sure why thats so funny but anyhoo
That car is designed and tuned to run with "regular" gas but it's not a requirement.
Better gas mileage? Possibly. It really depends on your right foot. But just a switch in gas grade is not going to give you a monumental gas mileage increase.
Edited for a tpyo


Modified by MooGoCow3 at 9:25 AM 6/16/2006

 

man the money you wasted on getting ultra 94 over the years coulda got you a new car

 

OK

here is the low down

ALL accords built prior to 2003 cannot make use of higher octane fuel since the ECU has no ability to adapt to higher octane fuel (IE ADVANCE THE TIMING based on fuel used) and the V6 cars are lacking a knock sensor.

The j30a is CONSERVATIVELY Tuned and is making 200HP on 87. take a look at the 7th gen cars and you will see what I mean. Honda manages with a few changes to get 240HP and if you use high octane 250HP (HP slightly more for the 2006 year).


Refer to Car and Driver November 01 issue where they saw a LOSS Of 4HP throughout the RPM range. This translates to a loss of torque of up to 15 ft-lbs depending upon RPM.

 

A car with that many miles you needn't worry about the gas grade you put in it after all that mileage, however if you would like professional advice read your owner's manual and in there it should tell you what octane level of gas you should run in it, i however would try running 93 or 92 on one tank see how much mileage you get until you have to refill it all the way, try 89 and see if there is any difference, then go to 87, I bought a 97 ACCORD a couple years ago and in my manual it said to run 87, i didn't look into that till about 6 months later because i used to run 89 on it all the time and there was no difference in the performace. On a final note if you only have the car because you like to drive real fast and since it has alot of mileage and you also drive long distances keep using Ultra 94, best for racing.