87 octane vs. 89 or 93 for Pathfinder ?

A forum for the legendary Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4.
robertjp
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Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:20 am

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I have a 2001 Pathfinder and the owners manual reccommends premium 91 octane. I have been using 89 without any performance problems (except current igition coil problem). Im wondering if anyone here uses 87 octane (with maybe an additive) and how it responds. ???? anyone? Thanks BP


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Yamax
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:40 pm
Car: Nissan Pathfinder SE 2003

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Hello,

I've a 2003 Pathfinder with the 3.5 engine and I'm running it at 87 octane. I don't have any problem, I've tried it with 91 octane and the only difference I saw is that the engine is litle more loud with 87 octane, I hear more the valve clapping on acceleration.I wish it will help you

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bmlawless
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Car: 1999 Infinity QX4

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I don't know the specifics for the 3.5L in the 2001, but I just went through something similar with my 99 (3.3L). The manual confused me so I had to track down the answer to which fuel I should use.

In my manual, it says to use 87 Anti-knock Index (AKI) or 91 Reasearch Octane Number (RON). When I looked at the pump, it just said "87 Octane Rating" and "(R+M)/2 Method" below it. This of course did not correspond with either of the two numbers in my manual. I asked on another forum and got mixed answers from folks stating that I should use premium and others stating that I could use whatever.

On this other site, there is a knowledge base that allows you to download owner's manuals, service bulletins, and quick-reference guides for your Infiniti vehicles. (If you don't already know, Infinity QX4=Nissan Pathfinder). In the QR guide for my truck, it says "87 Octane". Finally, something that correlated directly to what was on the pump. But why are there three different terms for the type of fuel I should use.

If you go out and Google "anti-knock index" or "research octane number" you will quickly find that in the US, "AKI" and "Octane Rating" are the same. In my case, I have a green light to run 87. Woo Hoo!

So, in case your real question was, "Which fuel should I use because my owner's manual says to use two different types?", the answer is, "Use the one that refers to AKI or Octane Rating."

If your question truly was, "My manual says to use 91, can I use lower?", then I just really wasted everyone's time.

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keg97
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Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:31 am
Car: 2008 Infiniti QX56 & 2004 Acura TSX

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We used to only use premium on our '01 but switched it over to regular (87) abt 3 years ago. My wife is the primary driver and she did not even know that I changed the gas on it and we're getting the same 17-18 MPG that we got before hand. No noticeable change in performance...

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KoukiS14
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bmlawless wrote:So, in case your real question was, "Which fuel should I use because my owner's manual says to use two different types?", the answer is, "Use the one that refers to AKI or Octane Rating."

If your question truly was, "My manual says to use 91, can I use lower?", then I just really wasted everyone's time.
Actually that's really good to know, because I was confused by that in my manual as well. The recommended fuel for the VQ powered is 91 octane, but it actually works fine with 87. . I think we talked in another thread about altitude, and how it impacts the need for higher octane, etc.

Brodye57
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Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:16 am

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Where was that thread you're talking about? I am moving to Denver, and I have a 2001 Pathfinder. I've always wondered about what kind of fuel to use. I know the manual says to use premium, but I'd prefer to use regular if possible. But what kind of info is important to know if I'm moving to a higher altitude in Denver?

Thanks!

Issac
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:12 pm
Car: 2002 Pathfinder, 1995 Q45

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At altitude you can run lower octane. You can also advance timing on older style cars to also help. In Colorado, regular was 85 octane for this reason. But I don't know if it is still this way. I believe you can run lower octane in cold weather, but don't quote me on that.

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Qxxx4
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i noticed in the 1997/1998 qx4's with the 3.3 it says "unleaded fuel only" right near the odometer. Im pretty sure that means regular/87 only. Just if anyones wondering bout the 3.3's I use regular only (87) in my 99.5 qx4, it says so in the manual. I wouldnt switch back and forth. My parents had a 1990 grand prix, ran great for 10 years running premium 91 always, whe they switched to regular 87...the whole fuel system got messed up and the car became a piece of junk.

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InfinQX4
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Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:31 am
Car: 2000 QX4

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I have been running Regular (87 Octane) in my 2000 QX4 3.3L for years without issue. At 103K miles in AZ, I'm not too concerned about it, espically with gas prices as they are.

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Domenico
Posts: 101
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:35 pm
Car: 2001 Infiniti qx4
Location: NeW yOrK

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i have a 97 qx4 ..all i used is 87 and its fine..

Buzzman
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2002 Pathy, running 87 regular gas for years with no problems. Why pay more.

02QX4ME
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Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 6:22 am
Car: 2002 QX4 4WD

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Absolutely no problem with 87 on my 02 QX4. I used to fill in premium once in a while, just to see the difference. Not at all.

Not only QX2, I tried comparison on my 00 RX300, 94 Altima and 96 Maxima. I found no difference.


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