What fuel should I use?

bigbro9395 · Postby **bigbro9395** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:40 am

I have approx 11000 miles on my 2008 Pathfinder and have been using regular, unleaded 87 octane. Should I change to premium? I have run into several, similar questions, with various answers.

myriad46 · Postby **myriad46** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:11 am

Do you have extra money in your pocket? If so, by all means, buy a higher grade.

In my experience...no measurable difference in gas mileage. Stick with the regular.

me&pathy · Postby **me&pathy** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:23 am

myriad46 wrote:Do you have extra money in your pocket? If so, by all means, buy a higher grade.

In my experience...no measurable difference in gas mileage. Stick with the regular.

i have to differ i can get about 4 more miles to the gallon when running 91 and it runs much smoother.

myriad46 · Postby **myriad46** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:48 am

I apologize for not believing you at all, but can you give more info? What kind of driving do you do? Is that an overall improvement for a whole tank, or do you reset the meter coasting downhill?

What mileage numbers are you getting? Is that 15 and with 91 you get 19?

Postby **Captain** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:45 am

I to also used low grade fuel for the first year. After noticing bad mpg and lowe power I switch to high grade with major improvment along with my 04 Xterra. I also ran cheep gas in my boat engine 4stroke. and I noticed a improvment as well.

Npath · Postby **Npath** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:28 pm

bigbro9395 wrote:I have approx 11000 miles on my 2008 Pathfinder and have been using regular, unleaded 87 octane. Should I change to premium? I have run into several, similar questions, with various answers.

I've been using 87 octane then switched to 91 octane for a few weeks. I have not noticed any difference in mileage. I do both city and highway driving to and from work, mainly, with little traffic in the morning. During the summer, mileage is at it's peak. When fall comes, mileage will go down, based on outside temperature. The Californians and south will get great mileage, while the north will not fair as well.

So yeah, in my opinion, higher octane won't give you better mileage. The 4.0L Pathfinder's compression ratio is less than 10:1, therefore 87 octane is fine. If it were higher, then a higher octane fuel is needed as you'll hear a knocking/pinging sound coming from the engine.

Try it for month, if you want, and tell us your experience.

JAHBLESSINGS · Postby **JAHBLESSINGS** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:23 am

i notice a slight mpg improvement with premium in my path around town. i went from 15-16 mpg on regular to 16.4 with premium if i feather it. just not enough for me to only use premium.

Sven1olaf · Postby **Sven1olaf** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:40 pm

i find that the 91 octane is the only way to go. the truck loves it and my mpg is improved. i dont have any metrics on the mpg improvement, but i drive a lot for work and the extra cash put into the tank is more than compensated for.

plus 91 octane is usually a pure blend out here, no ethanol

What fuel should I use?

What fuel should I use?

Re: What fuel should I use?

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