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Honda Accord Fuel and Fuel System Questions
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Comments
I've been putting 93 octane in my 2007 Accord V6 for nearly 3k miles now, with only two tanks of regular: the original tank-full, and a full tank somewhere around the 2k mile mark. To be honest I couldn't really tell a difference for the first several tanks. In fact, when I first switched to 93 from 87, the car felt slower. That was likely due to the engine burning 93 octane using an ignition timing map optimized for 87 octane. However, after a couple of tank-fulls of 93, the car started to perk up a bit. Uncertain as to whether the added perk was due to the premium gas, the engine loosening up from break-in, or both, I decided to fill up with 87 and see what'd happen. I noticed a difference within half a mile of leaving the gas station. The difference wasn't startling, but it was definitely noticeable, and it became even more noticeable in stop and go traffic on the way to work the next day. The car just wouldn't respond as quickly as I'd come to expect of it. Throttle response was laggy and torque was missing throughout the powerband. Not only that, but my gas mileage for that tank was only 22 MPG, 2 MPG lower than the previous tank. While I'm sure the drop in mileage didn't have anything to do with the fuel itself, it was likely due to me having to put my foot deeper into the throttle to make up for the lack of power. After emptying that tank of 87, I swore that I'd only use 93 from there on out. I don't mind paying an extra $3 a tank if it gives me the responsiveness that I want out of my engine.
I can understand why people don't believe that premium fuel increases the amount of power produced by these engines. It boils down to this: People are impatient and want instant gratification. In this case, they fill their Accord V6 up with premium fuel expecting instant results, and then, when they're two-tenths of a mile down the road and they can't feel an improvement, they immediately declare premium gas not worth it and let the world know they're not happy (and these people love message boards). Unfortunately, they're not willing to wait a tank or two to see what happens.
Now about the waiting...
From what I've read around the net, it takes at least 300 miles for the PCM to advance the ignition timing after the owner switches to premium gas. I've read that this is a safety measure that protects the engine from detonation in the case of a bad tank of gas.
In other words, when regular fuel is used, the engine runs a "safety map", or an ignition timing map that is safely optimized for regular gas.
Supposedly, this "safety map" is used for 300 or so miles before the PCM tests the waters again by advancing the ignition timing. If it immediately detects knock, the ignition timing will once again revert back to the safety map. However, if no knock is detected initially, the PCM will continue to advance the ignition timing until knock is detected. It will then dial back the timing a few steps to provide a safety net. This process tailors the engine's performance according to the grade of fuel used.
Unfortunately, we'll never know for sure if this myth of extra power from premium gas is confirmed or busted as long as Accord owners refuse to have their cars dyno-tested. A couple of dyno runs would have this debate settled in an instant. All it'd take is for one person to go dyno their 2003+ Accord V6; one set of runs on premium fuel, and one set of runs on regular. I'd do it myself, but there are no shops in my area with dynos open to the public. The last one closed down months before I even got my new Accord. Unfortunately, I live in North Carolina, and not California, where there's a tuner shop conveniently located on every corner.
*sigh*
Until the day an Accord owner steps up to the plate and solves this problem once and for all, this will always be a subjective debate...
The only way to really see if using premium has any benefit is to dyno the vehicle under laboratory conditions.
Seat of pants dyno can be wrong - especially if one wants to believe one way or another.
My experience has been that when I used up 12.50 gallon, the Empty Tank Warning Light is on. In one occation, I drove another 40 miles after the light was on. Then, when I filled up the tank I could only pump in 13.56 gallon.
How much fuel (in gallons) is left when the warning light is turned on? Techically, will I be able to use up all 15.4 gallons. If so, will it do harm to the fuel system (i.e. deposit at bottome of tank will be sucked in the fuel system)?
I don't intend to use up all 15.4 gallons but it's good to know what the bottom line is.
Please share your experience. Any adice? Thanks.
Richard
I think you mean 3.6 gallons.
Mrbill
Just wondering... where'd the 15.4 gallon idea come from?
The owners manual states that there is 2.7 gallons left once the light comes on plus a small reserve amount. Seems like that small reserve is .8 gallons to make up the 3.5.
In city driving there are too many variables, so I would probably just fill up before the light comes on or shortly after. On the highway, where I know what my mpg is, I may push it a little and use up 1 or two of the reserve gallons - leaving at least 1.5 gallons.
Of course 2 gallons at around 35+ mpg is 70+ miles - that is a long way to drive with the light on, and may be hard to do psychologically.
So the reserve means: it cannot be used at all. As a result, only 16.3 gallons of fuel can be sucked out of the fuel tank. If for highway driving, it convert to almost 500 mile range (16.3 x 30mpg).
Car and Driver and Motor Trend (as well as Edmunds.com for that matter) will have the info you are looking for, but ALWAYS check your manual and take it as the last word.
what should i do to get this hunk of junk moving again?
I've seen tow truck drivers come to a call, get out, wack the fuel tank, and have the owner try starting their vehicle again. When it does, he smiles, hands them their minumum trip charge, and drive away.
Mrbill
kriswright
The three possibilities the mystery liquid could be are kerosene, deisel, water, and or watered down gasoline.
These are some things I know about whats going on:
The car is getting spark
fuel treatment didn't work
the fuel pump is working
properly
Someone please help me
Thanks for any info
THanks
oil w/filter 3.7 Qts
trans 5-Spd 5.0 Qts
trans auto 6.0 Qts
Fuel 15.8 Gal
Cooling system 6.4 Qts
Mrbill