Premium Gasoline

[29tomt]

I have had 3 Maximas with this engine and all ran just fine on 87 octane. Why does this engine ask for premuim gas?

Tom Taylor
05 350Z

[audtatious]

The ECU has a more aggressive tune in the 350z. You can run lower octane but will get less mpg and performance.

Welcome to NICO

[StockAsFuhZ33]

The ECU has a more aggressive tune in the 350z. You can run lower octane but will get less mpg and performance.

Welcome to NICO

what he said

[dasoupdude]

"Recommended for optimum performance"

You can run 87 all day but it will feel like its in limp mode.


If you plan on tuning the car though, forget it..

[sstroudwku]

"Recommended for optimum performance"

You can run 87 all day but it will feel like its in limp mode.


If you plan on tuning the car though, forget it..

No it won't feel like limp mode. With that said, even the Maxima's with the 3.5 suggest premium fuel. If you use 87 the ecu will detect the spark knock and retard the timing and reduce the engine power and performance.

[dasoupdude]

You can run 87 all day but it will feel like its in limp mode.

No it won't feel like limp mode. If you use 87 you the ecu will detect the spark knock and retard the timing and reduce the engine power and performance.

[sstroudwku]

.... There is a HUGE difference between reduced power and limp mode. You're not talking about a substantial loss in power or even economy.

[dasoupdude]

.... There is a HUGE difference between reduced power and limp mode. You're not talking about a substantial loss in power or even economy.

Agreed 100%.

But there's also a noticeable difference when driving a Z filled to the brim on 87 and one filled with 93 once your start burying the needle in higher rpm's (not that I would try it.)

When the car starts to pull timing from the lower rated fuel it just feels plain limp imho.

[sstroudwku]

.... There is a HUGE difference between reduced power and limp mode. You're not talking about a substantial loss in power or even economy.

Agreed 100%.

But there's also a noticeable difference when driving a Z filled to the brim on 87 and one filled with 93 once your start burying the needle in higher rpm's (not that I would try it.)

When the car starts to pull timing from the lower rated fuel it just feels plain limp imho.

I see what you're saying, yes you rev a VQ35HR or VQ37HR to it's redline with 87 and it'll sound like ball bearings are bouncing inside the engine. Mixed with if you're using a plain oil instead of ester and you'll have a symphony of pings and tings under the hood. Sorry I was a bit confused by your original statement.