I am looking into purchasing a 2016 MDX Advance Package and the specs say premium gas is recommended and the dealer says regular is fine. What is everyone using in theirs?
I also regularly fill up at Costco, but only recently as they have received the Top Tier certification which is more of a cost/marketing thing, but it does show that they have A LOT of additives. These additives are added at Costco while the fuel is being delivered from the tanker.As for where I get my gas, I just buy premium from Costco. I don't get into the "additive" hype of some of the major brands... and even if they are proven to be true, it is really just a fuel filter issue... just my two cents.
I follow the manufacturer's recommendation - premium. I also follow their other recommendation of using 'Top Tier Detergent Gasoline'.
MDXSTANG, how do you determine if the gas you use is "top tier detergent gasoline"?
I use 92 octane at Thortons most of the time. I think it is recommended you need 91 octane or better so I don't see the point of using 93 octane which most gas stations use for premium gas. I am sure all 93 octane is a top tier detergent.
The 2008 Pilot recommends regular fuel only recommends premium when towing. The MDX recommends premium all the time. We had a 2006 Pilot before our 2013 MDX. Used the recommended fuel in the Pilot and MDX. You could also change oil every 20k miles to save a few more dollars.FWIW, I had a 2008 Pilot EX-L that also recommended premium (similar engine to earlier MDX's).
Interesting, please explain how retarded timing results in 5-10% less MPG. I'm genuinely interested. Also, does that have something to do with the engine wear? How are those connected or are those two separate things? BTW, my owners manual only recommends (not requires) premium, but maybe that is only on the Base model.then you seem to be acknowledging that your gas mileage will also suffer... so that 10% cost premium you save on regular unleaded gas might just get eaten up by 5-10% less MPG and lower performance... and long term engine wear... of course, that is if it required premium in the first place...
Here's what the manual states - it's not just an empty recommendation -my owners manual only recommends (not requires) premium, but maybe that is only on the Base model.
Lower performance implies that one will compensate for it by giving it more gas which adversely affects gas mileage which will negate some of the savings by getting cheaper non-premium gas. Whether it's significant or not I don't know since I haven't scientifically tested this and neither has anyone else here.Use of lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance.
Use of gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to engine damage.
On my 2005 MDX, I would use cheap premium for 4 or 5 fillups, then do 1 with Top Tier. After 135K miles I am satisfied with the results. No rough idle or misfire or injector clogging.
Tried the same on my 2014 with the GDI engine, but I can feel the difference in performance and get better MPG with Shell Premium. I still hate to pay the 50 cents a gallon extra, but I'm at 43,000 miles and running out of warranty soon, so I don't want to screw myself by fouling the expensive injectors. Lots of reports of GDI problems when not using top tier.
One cheat that I do use sometimes is to add 5 gallons of 87 octane top tier on top of a half full tank of 93 octane. Results in about 91 octane, which is the recommended number. I then go treat myself to a Happy Meal with the two-fifty I just saved.
Life is good.