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I have read most of the threads here on what grade of gas to burn in the MDX, and I still wanted to find out for myself. I'm from the old school: use the lowest octane that doesn't knock; anything else is just wasting money (or supporting the oil companies). I realize (after reading the C&D article) that modern engines retard the timing to avoid knock at some cost to performance. But if I'm satisfied with the performance, why pay more. I have always used the lowest price gas I can find in all of my cars, and we usually run them for 10+ years with good service. Right now I don't think I will handle the MDX differently. I buy gas at 'generic' stations and truck stops (Sams, Pilot, Petro, Raceway, etc.) and have gotten fewer 'bad' tanks than I used to at name brand stations.
I just have 2200 miles (2/3 Interstate) on it, but here is my experience so far:
After using most of the dealer's tank of 91 octane, I ran 2 tanks of 89 with no knock, ping, or noticable performance degradation. Before leaving for a road trip (1400 miles) I mixed in a 1/2 tank of 87 octane. After no problems with the mixture, I used a full tank of 87--still no problems. The next fillup was at a Sams with incredibly low prices, so I topped off (1/2 tank) with 91 octane (@ $1.089!). After 2 fillups (9 gal each) of 87 octane, I probably have pretty straight regular in it now.
During all this time we couldn't really tell the difference in performance between the different gas grades. We pushed it on some steep hills to try to make it knock or stumble, but didn't experience any hesitation. The gas mileage varied more by the type of driving (interstate vs. country roads vs. urban) than by gas grade. (overall average: 20.3 mpg)
One of the attractions of the MDX for us was the fuel economy, and I can't see paying 20% more for gas to get benefits that I can't see or feel. My plan is to run mostly 89 octane (my 'main' station sells it for $.08 over regular vs. $.10 most places here). When I find some cheap premium, I'll use it, but when I have to buy at a high price station, I won't hesitate to pump 87 octane. (I will also use premium when towing or in other 'harsh' conditions.)
The MDX is going to cost more to drive than its predecessor (Mazda 626), but it will be a lot more fun and more useful. (So far MDX $.051/mile; 626 $.041 (lifetime), but $.030 since 10/1/01.)
[I know some of you will say "read the manual", but those same people are using 10W-30 oil, and I don't see that in the manual.
]
- Conrad
I just have 2200 miles (2/3 Interstate) on it, but here is my experience so far:
After using most of the dealer's tank of 91 octane, I ran 2 tanks of 89 with no knock, ping, or noticable performance degradation. Before leaving for a road trip (1400 miles) I mixed in a 1/2 tank of 87 octane. After no problems with the mixture, I used a full tank of 87--still no problems. The next fillup was at a Sams with incredibly low prices, so I topped off (1/2 tank) with 91 octane (@ $1.089!). After 2 fillups (9 gal each) of 87 octane, I probably have pretty straight regular in it now.
During all this time we couldn't really tell the difference in performance between the different gas grades. We pushed it on some steep hills to try to make it knock or stumble, but didn't experience any hesitation. The gas mileage varied more by the type of driving (interstate vs. country roads vs. urban) than by gas grade. (overall average: 20.3 mpg)
One of the attractions of the MDX for us was the fuel economy, and I can't see paying 20% more for gas to get benefits that I can't see or feel. My plan is to run mostly 89 octane (my 'main' station sells it for $.08 over regular vs. $.10 most places here). When I find some cheap premium, I'll use it, but when I have to buy at a high price station, I won't hesitate to pump 87 octane. (I will also use premium when towing or in other 'harsh' conditions.)
The MDX is going to cost more to drive than its predecessor (Mazda 626), but it will be a lot more fun and more useful. (So far MDX $.051/mile; 626 $.041 (lifetime), but $.030 since 10/1/01.)
[I know some of you will say "read the manual", but those same people are using 10W-30 oil, and I don't see that in the manual.
]- Conrad
