00 Max SE w/63K miles - Do we have to use Prem Gas??

[SVTCOBRA]

So, my daughter's G20 was totaled in the rain.She now has the 00 Max.The seller told us that he always used reg. gas and had no spark knock. I kind of thought he was blowing smoke due to the gas prices.The car was so nice, I didn't care. Anyway, I filled it the rest of the way with reg. and heard it spark knocking. Next tank, I filled with BP silver (middle grade) and put in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. Still heard it spark knocking. Tonight, I filled it with BP Gold (Prem) and NO spark knocking what so ever. I think I know the answer, but is there anything we can do to run reg or middle grade gas???? I've switched over to Mobil 1 fully syn and put a new Nissan air filter in it. (also replaced the cyl 4 coil due to it crapping out).Thanks!

[maxhopper]

Do you have the owner's manual? I would check there for the definitive answer.

I know the VQ30DE's require premium grade gas, but I'm not sure about the VQ30DE-K's; although my guess would be that it does require premium.

[Fezzik]

when i had my 2000 SE it could use regular but I always put in Premium. It does not require Premium. but the manual and the gas cap area on my car said it suggest premium

[MattB]

I don't put anything below 93 in my I30, and use 94 when I can find a Sunoco station that carries it.

[ZGadson]

Premium gas does nothing except burn cleaner. It also has a higher octane rating which causes decreased mpg. The higher the octane, the faster it burns.

I'd suggest regular unleaded, but use a full tank of premium maybe once every 5-6 months to clean carbon build up from the fuel lines and filters and what not.

[SVTCOBRA]

87 caused spark knocking 89 caused spark knocking 93 car seems to love it - no spark knocking what so ever.

So, I was wondering if there was anything I could do to it.Like, cleaning the injectors, replacing the spark plugs, high flow filter that might allow me to go down to the middle grade.....

Recently, I was changing the oil on my son's girlfriend's I30 and noticed the air filter was extremely filty plus the service engine light was on. I took it to get another filter and it spark knocked like crazy on the way. I popped in a new filter and no more spark knock. Also, had the codes reset, no more light.I had already put a new filter in the Max when we got it, so it's been clean for each tank (87, 89, 93).

Was thinking about popping in a K&N filter and checking the 89 again.Any thoughts/suggestions?

[maxhopper]

I doubt a K&N will do anything for the spark knock.

[Jaz2099]

As far I know, you just won't get advertised power from automaker and average loss is 5%!! 200hp car my be 190 , etc... Oh and check your KNOCK sensor, egr valve, Is engine overheating - bad water pump, etc.. that could cause it!! Any codes?

[xerexabante]

So, what do you think about pre-detonation (on low-mid grade)? The engine is working harder, correct?

[SVTCOBRA]

car is not overheating & no codes.Recently, I did pull some codes but it was the no. 4 cyl coil pack that had crapped out. Replaced it and reset engine light. Car runs great on 93 octane - strong, smooth, and no pinging.

I have an extra K&N, so I might pop it in and put 1/4 tank of middle grade in to see what happens. It's sounding like prem. is going to be the only solution.