Do I really need premium?

pastorbrad · Postby **pastorbrad** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:02 am

Been using 87 because I thought that's all I needed and it's running fine so far. (1600 miles in the first two weeks!) No way do I want to pay more if I don't have to!

OurPathfinder · Postby **OurPathfinder** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:00 am

We have tried 85, 87, and 91 octane here in Colorado. We have noticed a bit better fuel mileage between 85 and 91. Like others have said though, if you're towing and want optimal power and mileage then premium is the way to go.

Cr@2y Gr33k · Postby **Cr@2y Gr33k** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:03 pm

I strictly go by what the owner's manual recommends. I know a couple of people that own the R50 and have had some issues with pinging. Plus, they have also replaced fuel injectors that have been clogged.

2008PatherfinderS · Postby **2008PatherfinderS** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:56 pm

I've noticed better fuel milage using premium over 87 and 89 octane here in Maryland. 1 - 2 MPG difference.

SilverGhost · Postby **SilverGhost** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:08 pm

2008PatherfinderS wrote:I've noticed better fuel milage using premium over 87 and 89 octane here in Maryland. 1 - 2 MPG difference.

Read back thru this thread. I, and others, have noticed the same difference. But, at 20-30 cents a gallon price difference here in Houston, it's simply a matter of economics - times are tough for a lot of us.

skippy · Postby **skippy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:39 pm

i have always used 93 or whatever the highest octane is--- i get 21 pmg going 70 mph on the highway and my engine purrrrrs al the time-- when i floor it about 3-5 times per tank-- it sounds great, it has giddyup, and it feels great to-- i would estimate my 0-60 time is prob 7.4ish or so--- i alos run my tires at 35-36 psi-- stiffer ride, better mpg-- just my opinion-- nothing too good for my PATHY.

me&pathy · Postby **me&pathy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:44 pm

i find that the motor dosent run at red line as smoothly as it does on 91. but if you want save a little money just put the cheap crap in and keep on with the maintenance and youl be fine, the motor in the path is very solid so i wouldn't worry

thejean · Postby **thejean** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:26 am

I'd be curious to understand how agressively the ecu adds timing and how much it pulls timing when it hits detonation? For example, it senses pinging, will it pull back timing and keep it there or will it continually try to advance timing back after each pinging event? I know my subaru continually advances it so if you use 87 it will basically destroy itself trying to get to 91 timing thresholds. If you put in crappy 91, it will sense it and pull timing but will also add it back in slowly up to the setpoints programmed into the ecu. Just curious if Nissan's ecu's find a sweet spot and then settle there indefinitely or if it continually tries to advance timing. Because if you get even a small amount of detonation on a daily basis, that continual pounding on the crank bearings will eventually take it's toll on the engine.

Has anyone tried 89 as a compromise between cost and performance?

2008PatherfinderS · Postby **2008PatherfinderS** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:38 am

SilverGhost wrote:
2008PatherfinderS wrote:I've noticed better fuel milage using premium over 87 and 89 octane here in Maryland. 1 - 2 MPG difference.
Read back thru this thread. I, and others, have noticed the same difference. But, at 20-30 cents a gallon price difference here in Houston, it's simply a matter of economics - times are tough for a lot of us.

For me the price of premium fuel is offset by the MPG savings. So I just stick with premium. If you are not towing or off roading, I suspect 87 octane will get you by just fine.

Do I really need premium?

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