Acura MDX gas questions
I purchased an '07 MDX two months ago and the manufacturer suggests using premium gas. I started out using premium but have switched to mid-grade. I was wondering if it's okay to use mid-grade and if it will affect my vehicle's performance.
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#1: you get the optimum performance . I also noticed smoother operation, and slightly less noise.
#2: you get more miles to the gallon. I own an 04 MDX, and I tried to run it with 87 octane , and it ran just fine, but I got only about 11-13 miles per gallon in the city, and 14-18 miles per gallon in the highway. So on a full tank of gas, I ran only 218 miles!! On the other hand ,using the 93 octane, I got about 16-19 miles per gallon in city, and you won't believe this, but I got about 20-26 miles per gallon in the highway!! So a full tank of gas took me some 326 miles(with some gas to spare).
I recommend you to use 93 octance, or at least 91 octane. You shouldn't use the 87 octane because after all, this is a car costing upwards of 40 grand. :lemon: I mean, this is a tuned V-6. My 1997 camry (V-4) uses the 87 octane, so most of the time, 87 octane is required for small cars/SUVS.
You spent $46k to $50k on the vehicle, why go cheap on the gas? What will happen if you destroy the engine, the warranty might be void? I'd hate to have that bill to replace it, much less the torment from my wife. Yikes.
FE = Fuel Efficiency
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
If you average 15,000 miles a year (which is the national average) then you are going to be putting about 900-1000 gallons of gas in this truck every year. The cost savings of going .40 cheaper to get lower octane gas will amount to savings of $300-$400 a year, or maybe $25 a month.
Spend $40K on a car and then go cheap on gas to save $25 a month and put fuel in that the manufacturer doesn't recommend? Foolhardy! :P
Note also that American Octaine ratings are different than in Europe. American ratings take the average of loaded v.s. unloaded knocking on a reference engine. In Europe they only measure the unloaded rating. So interestingly enough, the American rating doesn't suggest what an unloaded octaine rating a particular fuel vendor may have.. Two gas companies may produce two totally different unloaded/loaded octain rating pair.. Since you get the average of the two, it's blurred. I wish they'd just display them both.
A few "test conditions":
* I do the all but a few hours of the driving.
* From NH to CA is usually straight out I90 - I80 and speeds are usually Posted+4mph.
* In Ca, the MDX is used for everyday, around the town driving.
* Coming back, we try and take different routes; we do a lot of sight-seeing.
* MPG is always calculated by using the on-board computer.
* Tires are Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza running 38 lps pressure.
* Engine oil is Mobil 1
Until this June, we had always used 91 octane and the overall trip mpg was ALWAYS 22 mpg +/- 0.5 MPG. Remember, this is an average based on at least 7,500 miles per trip, usually over 8,000 miles per trip. And there was never an appreciable difference between Westbound and Eastbound.
This trip, I used "mid-range" octane exclusively on the way out and "lowest" octane on the way back (including a trip up Pikes Peak).
Results vis-a-vis MPG
* The average mileage going out was 20.4 mpg using Mid-range octane.
* The average mileage coming back was the same 20.2 mpg using the "lowest" octane..
Results vis-a-vis performance.
* NO noticeable drop in performance and I was looking for one.
Gas savings on this trip was barely noticeable. In some states, the difference between Premium and whatever I was using was substantial (like California), in other states, not all that much. And when I found a station that was selling Premium for LESS than mid-range, the owner told me Premium was not moving well so he dropped the price.
As always, For What It's Worth,
Dave
What do you figure your net loss or gain was in terms of $$ using 87 vs. 91?
I notice that in our area (Southern New Hampshire), lately, prices are dropping and the difference between premium and regular is shrinking. I will go back to Premium.
As an aside, I also own a 2001 Mercedes E320 4-Matic. The drop in mileage from using premium to regular is significant to the point where it is more expensive to use regular than premium. Performance also drops off. Clearly, MB squeezes as much out of their engine designs as possible.
Dave
Thanks for the information. I just brought a 2008 MDX three weeks ago. I have been using only 91 octane gas and has been able to get 18 MPG around town and 23 MPG highway.
The price difference between lowest grade (87 octane) to highest grade (91 octane) in California is usually $0.20 which is less than 5% saving. It is clear that the best option is to use Premium gas as there is a 9% reduction in MPG by using lowest grade (87 octane) based on your average 22 MPG using Premium and 20 MPG using 87 octane.
If the MDX has o2 sensors downwind of the cats and you remove them, the ECU will cause the engine to run poorly (generally lean or too little fuel which will reduce power significantly and destroy internal components).
Does the MDX 2010 eat up the gas quickly?
I drive mostly highway is the MDX 2010 for me when it comes to gas?
lhh
I think 2010 mdx should able to get 19-20 mpg if you drive 60-65 mph highway driving.. but remember your mdx required octane 91..
kingfans1- how do you like the pilot? Did you drive an MDX before? Will probably replace our '07 MDX with a Pilot.
the car is very quiet.. I read on the forum, other pilots owner are complaining about wind noise.. I don't hear any wind noise on freeway driving.. i have ex-l model. that ex-l and tourin model have Acoustic Windshield.. so it is very quiet..
2010 pilot is a great car.. When I am driving it, I didn't feel heavy.. My brother have 2008 4runner 4wd v6.. When i drive 4runner, it feel heavy..
for now, i am happy with the pilot... I do like acura tl.. I will probably consider in 2 years..
so far my 2010 pilot ex-l 4wd average 21.9 mpg. 90 % highway.. the car have about 4200 miles..