gas..

[SeXimA]

-well here's the thing.. i put 87 unleaded gas in my 01 maxima since i got my car.. which was for about a year and a half now.. -and now that i finally decided research about my car i found out it takes 91 premium... -also i've noticed a major performance difference since i've gotten my car.. im pretty sure its the gas..but is there anything else that might be wrong to hold back my car from going at its full potential?

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO.

The reason your car has lacked on performance is due to the knock sensor retarding the timing to compensate for the lower octane fuel. Just keep putting premium grade fuel in it, and you should see an improvement in mileage and performance as the computer adapts to the higher octane.

[Beancooker]

[A.Tech]

hmm... When I bought my car. The owner said he put 89 in all it's life. And I thought to myself that if a car had 89 all it's life it would not be good to go 91. Also I even double checked by asking a race car owner and he said if a car has had 89 all it's life it would be not very good to put in 91. I would like to put in 91 because our cars do say they take it. Even on my Gas lid it says it.

[Beancooker]

You can listen to your racecar buddy, but I'll bet the majority of his expertise is with older domestics? You can keep putting in 87 and enjoy the retarded timing that is triggered by your knock sensor. Or you can put in 93 and your timing will advance itself a little and your car will feel a little peppier. It will take a few tankfuls and a few weeks of driving for the ECU to relearn it's parameters. Upgrading your gas will not hurt your car.