Regular gas in my new G37 !! please help.

[PhilBawdy]

I went to a local HESS station to fill up yesterday, I asked for premium, was to busy looking at the detail job I had done earlier, when I realized the dumb a** was pumping regular into my tank. I had a quater tank when I pulled in, he pumped 4.5 gallons of regular before I noticed, and pumped the remaining space with premium. The premium topping wasn't much at all.I stopped by my dealership which was a block down, the service guy, who runs paperwork but owns a G37, said that it might act strange and not to accelerate hard until I work the gas out, but shouldn't hurt the vehicle.

I trust this forum for truthful answers more than a dealership, which would tell me what I wanted to hear. Is there any cause for concern or should I take any action to prevent damage/performance issues?

Thanks to all for your help, this topic and previous ones.

[4drsleeper]

I would have told you exactly what the guy at Infiniti said. The gas shouldn't do any harm other than a little lack in performance but I wouldn't push it until you run that tank out. I would drive until you're about empty before filling up again.

[Rivalry]

I would have told you exactly what the guy at Infiniti said. The gas shouldn't do any harm other than a little lack in performance but I wouldn't push it until you run that tank out. I would drive until you're about empty before filling up again.

[tollboothwilley]

Even if you had 4.5 Gal of 87 and 15 Gal of 91 (20 gal tank) you are pushing around 90 octane. You shouldn't notice a difference at all.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't expect you to notice a difference in anything...I wouldn't change my driving style much...if at all.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

You will be fine... the computer will adjust the timing to prevent knock!

Just drive it... it is under warranty lol

DJ

[marlin29311]

You can run your car at 100% 87 octane if you want...there are a couple members that do so anyway with no issues at all. However, you will be in a state of decreased performance, as the engine has to compensate for the lower octane rating to make sure that it doesn't knock.

All in all, you're fine - no worries. But be sure to try and take the tank all the way down and then use premium again!

[pfarmer]

You can run your car at 100% 87 octane if you want...there are a couple members that do so anyway with no issues at all. However, you will be in a state of decreased performance, as the engine has to compensate for the lower octane rating to make sure that it doesn't knock.

All in all, you're fine - no worries. But be sure to try and take the tank all the way down and then use premium again!

He is in a G37x which means that if he was doing this as a matter of practice that just maybe Infiniti would void the warranty of related repairs.

----------------------------------------------

2009 G37 Coupe and Sedan Manual:

FUEL RECOMMENDATIONVQ37VHR engineUse unleaded premium gasoline with an octanerating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)number (Research octane number 96).If premium gasoline is not available, unleadedregular gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKInumber (Research octane number 91) may betemporarily used, but only under the followingprecautions:● Have the fuel tank filled only partially withunleaded regular gasoline, and fill up withunleaded premium gasoline as soon as possible.● Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration

-------------------------------------------------

And the warning about failure to follow:

Octane rating tipsUsing unleaded gasoline with an octane ratinglower than recommended above can cause persistent,heavy spark knock. (Spark knock is ametallic rapping noise.) If severe, this can leadto engine damage. If you detect a persistentheavy spark knock even when using gasoline ofthe stated octane rating, or if you hear steadyspark knock while holding a steady speed onlevel roads, have an INFINITI dealer correct thecondition. Failure to correct the condition is misuseof the vehicle, for which INFINITI is not responsible

---------------------------------------------------

I wouldn't worry much about this but I would make sure I follow their recommendations about how to correct the situation and how to drive it until corrected. I would also go back to this station and have a discussion with the manager and show him the information contained here.

Perry

[telcoman]

I went to a local HESS station to fill up yesterday, I asked for premium, was to busy looking at the detail job I had done earlier, when I realized the dumb a** was pumping regular into my tank. I had a quater tank when I pulled in, he pumped 4.5 gallons of regular before I noticed, and pumped the remaining space with premium. The premium topping wasn't much at all.I stopped by my dealership which was a block down, the service guy, who runs paperwork but owns a G37, said that it might act strange and not to accelerate hard until I work the gas out, but shouldn't hurt the vehicle.

I trust this forum for truthful answers more than a dealership, which would tell me what I wanted to hear. Is there any cause for concern or should I take any action to prevent damage/performance issues?

Thanks to all for your help, this topic and previous ones.

PhilBawdy

Welcome to NICO

This is a problem with purchasing gas in New Jersey. Only one other state requires gas station attendants to pump gas (Oregon).

Always get out of your vehicle, stick the credit card in the pump and watch them closely. Most of them are a$$holes.

If the gas cap bangs against my vehicle instead of them placing it in the holder, I let them know in no uncertain terms I also tell them not to splash any gas on my vehicle when removing the nozzle.

You can relax. Nothing is going to happen to your G37 by using regular.

http://forums.g35club.org/zerothread/418082

I've been using it in my G35 for years with no ill effects. I recently did a 1 month test of premium 93 and a 1 month test of premium 91 and noticed no difference in my daily 100 mile commute in performance.

What is noticable is the effect of temperature and humidity on both performance and MPG

In fact when I do purchase my next Infiniti I will continue to use regular 87 octane.

Telcoman

[Focusedintntions]

Yeah as everybody else said you should be fine...if you're still really worried toss in a bottle of octane boost...

[EZcheese15]

You should be fine with a mixed tank of 87/91+. However, just to clarify with most people responding to this post:

The VQ37 and VQ35 are quite a bit different. The owners manual for the 08 G37 lists two different fuel requirements for the sedan (3.5) vs. the coupe (3.7).

The 3.5 can run on 87, and the knock sensor will compensate for it. You will just have decreased performance. The 3.7 does not have the same safety margin built into it. It needs 91. But like quoted above, you will be ok to mix with 87 temporarily so long as you take it easy.

[PhilBawdy]

Thanks everyone for your help, I love this site and the members. Someone had recommended using an octane booster, does anyone else agree? I have been taking it as easy as possible, and I did have a quarter tank of premium before fill and a couple of gallons on top of the regular mistake.I am going to drive until its as low as I can get before pumping premium into her, still want to make sure I will not get that knocking situation.

ps - I always get out to open my tank for the attendant, putting the cap in the holster and keeping an eye on spillage. I wondered a bit this time, and paid for it.

pps - Does anyone recommend any performance additives going down the line for the 2009 G37x? Im new to car performance maintenance, should I use something for the fuel injector or any other items I can add to the gas tank down the line to maintain or increase performance? Also, when and how often should I use these? Going on a whopping 1,700 miles in my car, she's getting old.

[EZcheese15]

I would only use octane booster if you absolutely can't find any 91+ octane. Because the car is designed to run on 91 octane, anything higher won't make a difference. Just because a lower than 91 octane rating causes decreased performance, that doesn't mean a higher than 91 octane causes increased performance. That's just not the way it works. In theory, if its designed to run 91 octane, a higher octane will actually have a decrease in performance too. (That's why it's always a waste to run premium in a car that doesn't require it, unless you are having knocking problems on an older car because it needs tuned up).

As for other additives, I'd stay away from them. Most are a complete waste of money. If you follow the maintenance schedule in your owners manual, you should not have any problems. A well maintained car doesn't need all that aftermarket additive junk.

[pfarmer]

You should be fine with a mixed tank of 87/91+. However, just to clarify with most people responding to this post:

The VQ37 and VQ35 are quite a bit different. The owners manual for the 08 G37 lists two different fuel requirements for the sedan (3.5) vs. the coupe (3.7).

The 3.5 can run on 87, and the knock sensor will compensate for it. You will just have decreased performance. The 3.7 does not have the same safety margin built into it. It needs 91. But like quoted above, you will be ok to mix with 87 temporarily so long as you take it easy.

That is why I posted the fuel requirements from the 2009 manual since the poster stated he had a 37x. I think many did not pick up on what the poster was possibly driving. To me the issue is that while he should be ok with this amount in the tank he should follow the recommendations so as not to violate any provisions in the warranty which could haunt him down the road. I believe once an owner knows of a problem he needs to do what is necessary to mitigate it.

For example a car is low on oil for any reason and the owner knows it. He takes it out in this condition and drives at high speeds and the engine blows. The owner did not mitigate the problem and from what I read in a warranty just may have given up coverage.

Perry

[EZcheese15]

Yeah, the 09 fuel requirements for both the sedan and coupe read exactly as the 08 requirements for the coupe read. And the 08 sedan sections reads just like the <08 coupes and sedans.

[Kendahl]

No need to worry.

You have 3/4 tank of premium and 1/4 tank of regular. Mixed together, this is 3/4 of the way to premium. As near as matters, the octane of the mix is 0.75 x premium octane + 0.25 x regular octane. If premium is 91 and regular is 87, the mix is 90 octane. If the premium is 93, the mix is 91.5 octane. (That would actually be a little bit higher than required.)

Drive off 3/4 of the mixed tank and then fill up with premium. It wouldn't hurt to stay out of the throttle until you do.

[G37 Man]

Okay I have a question,how many gas stations sell 91 Octane fuel?

I know of only one Sunoco, everyone else sells 92,93 Octane and of course mid grade 89 or regular 87.

Will 89 Octane affect the G37 over a period of time?

[EZcheese15]

Okay I have a question,how many gas stations sell 91 Octane fuel?

I know of only one Sunoco, everyone else sells 92,93 Octane and of course mid grade 89 or regular 87.

Will 89 Octane affect the G37 over a period of time?

Different parts of the country have different octane levels as their "premium." For example, in CA the highest octane you can buy is 91. However, some states, such as PA, sell as high as 94. The reason car manufacturers only design to run a car on 91 and not 92+ is because you can't get 92+ in every state.

Running a higher octane won't damage your engine, it just won't increase the performance either. However, running a lower octane can damage it.

Whatever the manual says it should run, you should run that or the next highest available. On the G37, you need to run at LEAST 91 unless it is simply not available. In which case, like stated above, will be fine temporarily if you take it easy, get 91+ on your next tank, mixed with 91+, or add octane booster.

[telcoman]

That is why I posted the fuel requirements from the 2009 manual since the poster stated he had a 37x. I think many did not pick up on what the poster was possibly driving. To me the issue is that while he should be ok with this amount in the tank he should follow the recommendations so as not to violate any provisions in the warranty which could haunt him down the road. I believe once an owner knows of a problem he needs to do what is necessary to mitigate it.

For example a car is low on oil for any reason and the owner knows it. He takes it out in this condition and drives at high speeds and the engine blows. The owner did not mitigate the problem and from what I read in a warranty just may have given up coverage.

Perry

Perry

I don't think driving a vehicle that is low on oil is a good comparison with the grade of gasoline octane when discussing a warranty issue?

Octane was a more important factor prior to ECU controlled engines that had carburetors rather than fuel injection

Although most vehicles are delivered to the customer with a full tank of gas I have to wonder if that full tank is of the octane recommended in the owners manual or is it just filled with regular?

I believe in most cases it is the latter. Perhaps someone is willing to test the gasoline in their just delivered Infiniti?

As I previously mentioned recently completed a two month gasoline study test with my G35.

I noticed no difference in performance or MPG between premium and regular.



As you look at the MPG in the above table keep in mind that temperatures at the beginning of April were much lower here in NJ than they are now.Temperature and humidity appear to have a greater effect on MPG on my G than does the grade of gasoline.

In fact over the past twenty years my 88 Mazda 929 5 speed, My 92 Lexus 5 speed and my 06 G35 all recommended using premium.

I used regular 87 octane on all those vehicles with a total mileage of close to 500k with no ill effects or warranty issues.

Granted no one can go wrong by following the owners manual or the maintenance schedule as recomended by the manufacturer but one also needs to perhaps be able to separate marketing hype as well as the dealers interest in making as much as they can on service.

This is certainly true when it comes to gasoline, type of oil and the overly frequent fluid changes that the manufactures recomend.

Most gasoline stations have very little markup on regular but earn much more money pumping premium.

I prefer to keep the money in my pocket

Telcoman

[EZcheese15]

The difference though, is a car that "recommends" premium vs. one that "requires" it. The VQ37 requires premium. The VQ35 just recommends it.

A lower octane fuel will make better mpgs if it's within the tolerance of the knock sensor to retard the timing enough where it won't damage the engine. That's the case on the VQ35. The VQ37 has less room to budge when it comes to the knock sensor compensating for the low octane. It is on the edge of damaging, not just decreased power.

[pfarmer]

Perry

I don't think driving a vehicle that is low on oil is a good comparison with the grade of gasoline octane when discussing a warranty issue?

Telcoman

I think it is a good comparison, the same with transmission fluids, etc. The reason is not so much that damage will happen if you put in transmission fluid a instead of b or oil a instead of oil b or gas a instead of gas b. it comes down to the requirements as stated in the warranty.

For example in the 09 warranty you have states similar to the 08 warranty, only now since the engines are the same with the same 'requirements' you need to follow the manual 'requirements' (no longer recommendations for the 35) or else risk voiding the warranty. The same goes with oil, the same with transmission fluid.

-----------------------------------2009 warranty void warning:

Octane rating tipsUsing unleaded gasoline with an octane ratinglower than recommended above can cause persistent,heavy spark knock. (Spark knock is ametallic rapping noise.) If severe, this can leadto engine damage. If you detect a persistentheavy spark knock even when using gasoline ofthe stated octane rating, or if you hear steadyspark knock while holding a steady speed onlevel roads, have an INFINITI dealer correct thecondition. Failure to correct the condition is misuseof the vehicle, for which INFINITI is not responsible.

Transmission:

*3: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmissiondurability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the INFINITI new vehicle limited warranty.

Engine oil:

Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for yourengine are based on the use of the specifiedquality oils and filters. Oil and filter other thanthe specified quality, or oil and filter changeintervals longer than recommended could reduceengine life. Damage to engines caused byimproper maintenance or use of incorrect oiland filter quality and/or viscosity is not coveredby the new INFINITI vehicle limited warranties.

Warrenty booklet:

WHAT IS NOT COVEREDDAMAGE, FAILURES OR CORROSION DUE TO ACCIDENTS,MISUSE OR ALTERATIONSThis warranty does not cover damage, failures orcorrosion resulting from:• Accident, theft, fire, driving through water(including engine water ingestion) or misuse,which includes, but is not limited to, racing of anysort whatsoever. (Proper use is outlined in yourOWNER’S MANUAL.)

This warranty does not cover damage, failures orcorrosion resulting from:• Lack of performance of proper maintenance servicesas outlined in your Owner’s Manual.• Use of improper or dirty fuel, fluids or lubricants.• Use of parts not equivalent in quality or design toparts supplied by Nissan for use on Infiniti vehicles.

---------------------------------------

So the issue here is not that damage would occur, but that the manual requires a and if it could be shown that you were doing b then you may just be out of luck as far as the warranty goes. From what I have seen some who state they race their cars on a public forum and then go in for warranty repairs risk voiding the warranty as well.

Warranty work much be of a high value, especially when you consider how much buyers are willing to spend on a 3rd party warranty.

Perry

[G37 Man]

I can understand the warranty as it relates to Gas and Octane rating as it affects the G37.

But what I don't like is when a car is sold by a Mfg such as Nissan/Infiniti and they tell you after you purchase the car that you need to use our oil/Ester or you runs the risk of damage to your car.

This must be discussed at the time of purchase and when ads are run on the G37,they should not be allowed to sell that car with out disclosing that very important part of the buying experience.

would it make a difference in buying the car? maybe for some it would.

I was going to put in Royal Purple,now I will not chance it or any other oil for that matter.

[telcoman]

But what I don't like is when a car is sold by a Mfg such as Nissan/Infiniti and they tell you after you purchase the car that you need to use our oil/Ester or you runs the risk of damage to your car.

This must be discussed at the time of purchase and when ads are run on the G37,they should not be allowed to sell that car with out disclosing that very important part of the buying experience.

would it make a difference in buying the car? maybe for some it would.

I was going to put in Royal Purple,now I will not chance it or any other oil for that matter.

I've already discussed this with the service department the last time I was there with my G35

Not necessary is what I was told.

Paying for $100 oil changes is just another ripoff as were previous rustproofing scams pushed by automobile salesman. Some mfers still try to sell pin striping and glass etching to the gullible

Change oil & oil filter every three to four thousand miles and use SAE 5-w30 conventional motor oil purchased on sale and you'll see 200k miles with no problems.

Another thing is that as technology is moving faster today in automobiles than in previous times there will be fewer automobile owners keeping vehicles longer than five years to take advantage of the latest and greatest new options.

Just my $.02

Telcoman

[EZcheese15]

The manual doesn't say you have to use Nissan oil for oil changes. It says it has to be the specified quality.

If you read into it, that's basically any oil that has an API rating of SM or newer. Which is everything.

[pfarmer]

I can understand the warranty as it relates to Gas and Octane rating as it affects the G37.

But what I don't like is when a car is sold by a Mfg such as Nissan/Infiniti and they tell you after you purchase the car that you need to use our oil/Ester or you runs the risk of damage to your car.

This must be discussed at the time of purchase and when ads are run on the G37,they should not be allowed to sell that car with out disclosing that very important part of the buying experience.

would it make a difference in buying the car? maybe for some it would.

I was going to put in Royal Purple,now I will not chance it or any other oil for that matter.

I don't believe it states anywhere that you have to use Ester, only that it is recommended. It does state you have to use spec oil. One benefit about using the Ester however (other than it sounds like oil I would want to use) is that it is recommended. If you do what is required and what is recommended then it takes the wind out of the dealers sails if trouble comes up.

What do you think occurs with BMW. While they are stating that you don't pay for maintenance you are using their products for maintenance and at their intevals. So if you want to use a different oil you are on your own.

I think you will find similar recommendations and requirements for various other cars as well. Again the new BMW doesn't even have a place for a spare tire and requires the use of their special fluid stored in the space it would occupy.

Perry

[Kendahl]

... you need to use our oil/Ester or you runs the risk of damage to your car.

I asked my Infiniti dealer's service department what brand they put in when I brought my G37 in for an oil change. They replied that they use bulk Valvoline. If that would void the warranty, I can't believe they would use it.

Some manufacturers are more specific. For example, Porsche specifies Mobil 1. If I had a Porsche, that's what I would use.

[G37 Man]

Then why did a service bulletin come out for the G37 saying to use Ester Oil?

The 08 model did not have that listed as required but the 09 did and in Aug 08 Infiniti came out with the service bulletin on the 08.

By the way I have not gone with the Ester oil but staying with standard 5-30Nissan Oil,I can't complain it only cost $29 for the oil change with my Infiniti dealer.

[telcoman]

Then why did a service bulletin come out for the G37 saying to use Ester Oil?

The 08 model did not have that listed as required but the 09 did and in Aug 08 Infiniti came out with the service bulletin on the 08.

By the way I have not gone with the Ester oil but staying with standard 5-30Nissan Oil,I can't complain it only cost $29 for the oil change with my Infiniti dealer.

I was told ester oil was recommended because some owners complained about valve noise when engines were cold. The variable valve timing is the cause but the noise will go away as the engine reaches operating temperature.If I owned one the noise would not bother me having owned a previous diesel engine.

What would bother me more is the price of the oil.

Telcoman

[pfarmer]

I was told ester oil was recommended because some owners complained about valve noise when engines were cold. The variable valve timing is the cause but the noise will go away as the engine reaches operating temperature.If I owned one the noise would not bother me having owned a previous diesel engine.

What would bother me more is the price of the oil.

Telcoman

As long as it is actually valve noise and no valve damage occurs. My experience is there is little difference in many engines between valve noise and piston slap and both tend to disappear when warmed up.

That said, if you hear noise some wear is occurring, if you can minimize certain noises then maybe that is good. On the other hand it is often a matter of bang for the buck. If you keep a car for 50k why worry from an economic standpoint. If you are going to keep it for 200k then does the added cost of this oil make sense compared to the alternative? Pretty much all fluids for your car can be view as insurances with different premiums and different coverage.

Perry

[telcoman]

`If you keep a car for 50k why worry from an economic standpoint. If you are going to keep it for 200k then does the added cost of this oil make sense compared to the alternative? Pretty much all fluids for your car can be view as insurances with different premiums and different coverage.

Perry

I agree however, there are recomentations in the warranty booklets to change certain fluids more than is really necessary.

For example, I've never in my life changed differential fluid on any vehicle even after putting on close to a quarter million miles and never had a differential failure. There are posts on here from those that do.

I also happen to have an engine in my G35 that uses oil. It has used oil from the first day I purchased my G on 12/31/05

Does it bother me?

NO!

I did the consumption test at the dealer after they came out with the service bulletin and my engine only used 12mm instead of the 18mm per 3 thousand miles to qualify for a new engine.

Currently after three thousand miles it uses about a quart so I just change it.

Now that oil consumption would certainly drive some owners crazy but not I because I'm one of the old farhts crazy enough to change my own oil every three thousand miles no matter what the owners manual says.

Telcoman

[pfarmer]

I agree however, there are recomentations in the warranty booklets to change certain fluids more than is really necessary.

For example, I've never in my life changed differential fluid on any vehicle even after putting on close to a quarter million miles and never had a differential failure. There are posts on here from those that do.

I also happen to have an engine in my G35 that uses oil. It has used oil from the first day I purchased my G on 12/31/05

Does it bother me?

NO!

I did the consumption test at the dealer after they came out with the service bulletin and my engine only used 12mm instead of the 18mm per 3 thousand miles to qualify for a new engine.

Currently after three thousand miles it uses about a quart so I just change it.

Now that oil consumption would certainly drive some owners crazy but not I because I'm one of the old farhts crazy enough to change my own oil every three thousand miles no matter what the owners manual says.

Telcoman

I only lost one differential out of the 30-40 cars I have owned (need to recount them sometime for a final tally). On that car it was a matter of it going underwater and even then most of the noise was from axle bearing instead of differential although it was a little hard to tell exactly how much was from which source. The only reason I got rid of the car was this and the fact it was getting really noisy at times (engine wise) with over 320k on the odometer.

I agree that many times the recommendations don't really follow reality if you treat the car right. However I also think many who post here do not so they may well be actually behind the curve instead of in front of it.

But even then those recommendations can be looked at like I mention as insurance. I feel that if anything goes wrong they can be fairly cheap insurance even if they have nothing to do with the reality of the failure. The dealer can't simply say 'You didn't follow the recommendations'.

As far as oil changes, my guess is that you may agree that the oil change interval may actually be conservative as well, just that you have a built in gauge to go on. In a study I have seen that involved New York taxis it was shown that you did not have to change the oil (synthetic) more often than 25k. They however changed the filters fairly often and when you consider that you are changing a quart as well each time.

In another discussion on plugs some are stating to change them at 50-60k miles. Another at 90+k. On my 300m I now have just over 149k and it runs just fine. I am going to have it done soon however if for no other reason than to have someone else remove and reinstall new ones. I have run into problems removing them at this stage of life on other cars.

As far as your oil consumption I come from an era where you changed oil every 2k or so and a quart every 600 miles or so was not unusual at all and on some cars you actually wanted to see that amount since it was viewed as something good.

Perry