I read a review on Edmunds.com that said the MDX requires premium gas. Since the Pilot has the same engine I was wondering if this is really true. 
b737gearboy
It's all true. I am under the impression the MDX is tuned just a little differently and needs the higher octane to take advantage of the power.
This bring up a second question though, Will the Pilot get better gas mileage if you use the premium gas? I can't imagine it would hurt since you are suggested to use premium when towing.
This bring up a second question though, Will the Pilot get better gas mileage if you use the premium gas? I can't imagine it would hurt since you are suggested to use premium when towing.
Thanks for the replies. So am I taking it right that the owner's manual does not state premium gas required? Quite honestly this would be a deal breaker for me, I refuse to fork out 30 cents extra per gallon every time I fill up. I test drove the Pilot the other day and loved it but this is where I draw the line.
What Honda (not teh dealer) says
The Pilot uses regular gas.
Premium is recommended for towing.
My guess is premium might give a slight performance boost, but so little and so infrequent it would probably not be noticed.
It will only help[ when the engine is opperated near the edge of knocking. Such as high temps, high altitude, heavy loads, etc.
The Pilot uses regular gas.
Premium is recommended for towing.
My guess is premium might give a slight performance boost, but so little and so infrequent it would probably not be noticed.
It will only help[ when the engine is opperated near the edge of knocking. Such as high temps, high altitude, heavy loads, etc.
fyi
here is some general reading on gasoline octane ratings:
http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/octane.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm
here is some general reading on gasoline octane ratings:
http://www.seansa4page.com/resource/octane.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm
who can afford premium these days? I stick with the regular and the car runs fine . .. still get pretty good gas mileage, compared to my previous car, a pick-up.
Running with a higher octane gas will/should not improve performance, and even if it did improve your MPG, it wouldn't get close to improving it enough to make up for the extra you have to pay to buy premium gas.
Too many people do not understand this and waste tons of money each year buying premium gas when it provides no benefits. Just because it costs more doesn't always mean it is better. It isn't worse, but it isn't necessary. This isn't to say that you may not need Premium gas. If you have excessive knocking, then you need to increase the octane. If it isn't knocking, your wasting your money.
Here is a quote I found on a couple of sites (such as EPA's site http://www.epa.gov/otaq/18-youdo.htm):
"Octane is a measure of how much a fuel can be compressed in an engine before it spontaneously combusts. It is not a measure of fuel power or quality. Only a small percentage of vehicles require high-octane gasoline for optimum performance (these are generally turbo-charged or high-performance vehicles). Check your owner's manual to see what type of fuel is recommended for your car. Unless your car needs high-octane gasoline, use of "premium" will not improve performance or emissions - it will just cost you more."
Too many people do not understand this and waste tons of money each year buying premium gas when it provides no benefits. Just because it costs more doesn't always mean it is better. It isn't worse, but it isn't necessary. This isn't to say that you may not need Premium gas. If you have excessive knocking, then you need to increase the octane. If it isn't knocking, your wasting your money.
Here is a quote I found on a couple of sites (such as EPA's site http://www.epa.gov/otaq/18-youdo.htm):
"Octane is a measure of how much a fuel can be compressed in an engine before it spontaneously combusts. It is not a measure of fuel power or quality. Only a small percentage of vehicles require high-octane gasoline for optimum performance (these are generally turbo-charged or high-performance vehicles). Check your owner's manual to see what type of fuel is recommended for your car. Unless your car needs high-octane gasoline, use of "premium" will not improve performance or emissions - it will just cost you more."
b737gearboy,
The Pilot and MDX engines are set up a little different and Yes Honda says use Premium for the MDX and Regular for the Pilot. That's the only opinion you need....so go get your pilot.
BTW..the Pilot's setup is very close to the Odysey (closer than the MDX) and Honda has always recommended Regular for it and people have been running on that for years!
...steve
ps...R_hammel is right, some people throw away money on "premium" gas just because they think it will give their "regular" car, Premium performance...not
The Pilot and MDX engines are set up a little different and Yes Honda says use Premium for the MDX and Regular for the Pilot. That's the only opinion you need....so go get your pilot.
BTW..the Pilot's setup is very close to the Odysey (closer than the MDX) and Honda has always recommended Regular for it and people have been running on that for years!
...steve
ps...R_hammel is right, some people throw away money on "premium" gas just because they think it will give their "regular" car, Premium performance...not
Gas
We have a dealer here that offers mid-grade (91 octane) for the price of regular (87 octane) twice a week. I always make sure to fill up on one of those two days.
I know you don't need it, but to get it for the same price as regular is worth it.
We have a dealer here that offers mid-grade (91 octane) for the price of regular (87 octane) twice a week. I always make sure to fill up on one of those two days.
I know you don't need it, but to get it for the same price as regular is worth it.
Thought I would check this site out, while waiting for acuramdx.org to come back up. I guess the number of posts is not transferrable between sites
I wanted to metion that in actuality regular fuel burns slightly more efficiently than premium. That is why you would never use premium thinking you will gain MPG. You burn premium because the engine is designed/tuned to use premium.
I wanted to metion that in actuality regular fuel burns slightly more efficiently than premium. That is why you would never use premium thinking you will gain MPG. You burn premium because the engine is designed/tuned to use premium.
Well, here is what the 2003 Pilot Owner's Manual (31S9V600 00X31-S9v-6000) says:b737gearboy said:I read a review on Edmunds.com that said the MDX requires premium gas. Since the Pilot has the same engine I was wondering if this is really true.
Page 216: "Gasoline: your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage."
....
"Premium fuel is recommended when towing in certain conditions"
Hope that helps.
davisdog said:b737gearboy,
"The Pilot and MDX engines are set up a little different and Yes Honda says use Premium for the MDX and Regular for the Pilot. That's the only opinion you need....so go get your pilot."
Excellent advice, Davisdog!
Just to dispel any contrary false rumors, here is exactly what the Pilot's 2003 Owner's Manual has to say about fuel:
At Page 216: "Gasoline: your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage."
"We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits.
"Using gasoline containing lead will damage your vehicle’s emissions controls. This contributes to air pollution."
"Premium fuel is recommended when towing in certain conditions (see page 256)."
At Page 217 "In Cananda, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called MMT. If yo use such gasolines, your emission control system performance may deteriorate and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact your authorized Honda dealer for service.”
At Page 256 “Towing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or climbing steep grades. Therefore, premium fuel is recommended when towing more than 3,500 lbs.”
Back Page Service information summary:
“Gasoline: Unleaded gasoline, pump octane number of 86 or higher.”
I wonder
The fact that Honda suggests to use
Premium gas when towing a heavy load
(i.e. under severe driving conditions) can only
mean one thing -- the engine will indeed generate
more power on Premium. And the only way that's
possible is if the Pilot is actually tuned to use
the Premium. When Regular is used, the knock sensor
along with the ECU advance/retract the timing to
compensate, at a cost of some minimum power loss
(which, Honda figured, most of the target customers will live
with as long as they don't
have to shell out extra cash at the gas station.
Acura is less of a compromise, again, due to the different
target customer base).
Anyway, this is my theory.
So don't knock those Premium users right of the bet.:2:
The fact that Honda suggests to use
Premium gas when towing a heavy load
(i.e. under severe driving conditions) can only
mean one thing -- the engine will indeed generate
more power on Premium. And the only way that's
possible is if the Pilot is actually tuned to use
the Premium. When Regular is used, the knock sensor
along with the ECU advance/retract the timing to
compensate, at a cost of some minimum power loss
(which, Honda figured, most of the target customers will live
with as long as they don't
have to shell out extra cash at the gas station.
Acura is less of a compromise, again, due to the different
target customer base).
Anyway, this is my theory.
So don't knock those Premium users right of the bet.:2:
Maybe, or Maybe not
Don't count on the more power.
Maybe the engine only has a tendency to knock when it atempts to deliver full power at elevated opperating temperatures.
Since we know Honda wants extra coolers for towing, "due to higher underhood tempertures" (as Honda has said), it might be only under these conditions that premium is of any value.
The target customer aspect is likely also a factor. As I have read studies that show people expect a performance vehicle to use premium gas, even if it does not require it.
Don't count on the more power.
Maybe the engine only has a tendency to knock when it atempts to deliver full power at elevated opperating temperatures.
Since we know Honda wants extra coolers for towing, "due to higher underhood tempertures" (as Honda has said), it might be only under these conditions that premium is of any value.
The target customer aspect is likely also a factor. As I have read studies that show people expect a performance vehicle to use premium gas, even if it does not require it.
MDX does require Premium according to the owner's manual.
Pilot does not require Premium according to owner's manual [probably good idea when pulling heavy load as suggested in the Pilot owner's manual].
Soooooo:
** Run regular and enjoy it!
** This is one MDX feature that you are lucky you did not inherit!!
** At least one MDX owner is jealous -- that's me in case you can't tell!!!
Pilot does not require Premium according to owner's manual [probably good idea when pulling heavy load as suggested in the Pilot owner's manual].
Soooooo:
** Run regular and enjoy it!
** This is one MDX feature that you are lucky you did not inherit!!
** At least one MDX owner is jealous -- that's me in case you can't tell!!!
Premuim worth 10 extra horses???
If the Pilot has the same (or similar) engine as the new Accord, you may get more HP and torque out of premium fuel.
See this USAToday review: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/2002-08-01-accord_x.htm
{Torque is the key to quick starts from dead stops. Accord's 240-hp V-6 is rated 212 pounds-feet of torque. Altima's 240-hp V-6 is rated 246 lbs.-ft.
The Accord V-6 ratings assume regular-grade fuel, and Honda will market it as a regular-fuel engine. But — pssst — it's good for another 10 hp and 10-plus lbs.-ft. on premium, acknowledges V-6 engineer Asaki.}
Still not worth the extra cash for me though.
If the Pilot has the same (or similar) engine as the new Accord, you may get more HP and torque out of premium fuel.
See this USAToday review: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/2002-08-01-accord_x.htm
{Torque is the key to quick starts from dead stops. Accord's 240-hp V-6 is rated 212 pounds-feet of torque. Altima's 240-hp V-6 is rated 246 lbs.-ft.
The Accord V-6 ratings assume regular-grade fuel, and Honda will market it as a regular-fuel engine. But — pssst — it's good for another 10 hp and 10-plus lbs.-ft. on premium, acknowledges V-6 engineer Asaki.}
Still not worth the extra cash for me though.
Please help me understand this.
Premium fuel has a lower volatility, so it will reduce or eliminate pre-ignition (knocking) under heavy loads.
In the old days, I used to advance the timing a bit on my Rabbit GTI and use premium fuel to improve the performance. With this simple tune, I boosted engine power, but it would not run on regular fuel without knocking.
In modern engines, the computer control automatically adjusts the timing to optimize performance. The computer is connected to a knock sensor and retards the timing just a smidge later than what would cause knocking.
So then, it would seem logical to me that if you use premium fuel in a computer controlled engine you would cause the computer to advance the timing a bit, increasing engine power. Does it work this way? If not, what am I missing? Does it work this way but to greater degrees in some engines than in others due to other variables?
Premium fuel has a lower volatility, so it will reduce or eliminate pre-ignition (knocking) under heavy loads.
In the old days, I used to advance the timing a bit on my Rabbit GTI and use premium fuel to improve the performance. With this simple tune, I boosted engine power, but it would not run on regular fuel without knocking.
In modern engines, the computer control automatically adjusts the timing to optimize performance. The computer is connected to a knock sensor and retards the timing just a smidge later than what would cause knocking.
So then, it would seem logical to me that if you use premium fuel in a computer controlled engine you would cause the computer to advance the timing a bit, increasing engine power. Does it work this way? If not, what am I missing? Does it work this way but to greater degrees in some engines than in others due to other variables?
Found this interesting post at another Pilot forum.
I don't know what grade of gas that dealer add to my first tank. I think it should be 87. It log 309 mile before I add 18.8 gal of 93 as the second tank. So it gives me 16.4 m/g with only 66 mile of local drive. Judging by the way I drive, this is not bad.
The second tank logged 312 mile by adding 16.232 gal of 93, the M/G is 19 with about 100 local drive.
The third tank logged 351 mile by adding 16.288 gal of 93, the M/G is 21.55 with pure highway drive.
The fourth tank logged 370 mile by adding 16.333 gal of 87, the M/G is 22.65 with pure highway drive.
The fifth tank haven't empty yet. The meter still show about a quarter tank of gas left with 300 mile on the log already. I think it will definitely beat 23 this time.
I did find out that there is some difference between premium gas and regular gas. Since my first three tank (exclude the dealer add one) are all premium, once I change it to regular, I can feel the engine lost some torque on accelerating. I think this is why you need to use premium when towing according to the manual. However, it seems to me that the regular will give you better gas mileage. Since I haven't finished the last tank, I can't confirm that yet. But judging by half-tank result, the regular beat the premium.
I don't know what grade of gas that dealer add to my first tank. I think it should be 87. It log 309 mile before I add 18.8 gal of 93 as the second tank. So it gives me 16.4 m/g with only 66 mile of local drive. Judging by the way I drive, this is not bad.
The second tank logged 312 mile by adding 16.232 gal of 93, the M/G is 19 with about 100 local drive.
The third tank logged 351 mile by adding 16.288 gal of 93, the M/G is 21.55 with pure highway drive.
The fourth tank logged 370 mile by adding 16.333 gal of 87, the M/G is 22.65 with pure highway drive.
The fifth tank haven't empty yet. The meter still show about a quarter tank of gas left with 300 mile on the log already. I think it will definitely beat 23 this time.
I did find out that there is some difference between premium gas and regular gas. Since my first three tank (exclude the dealer add one) are all premium, once I change it to regular, I can feel the engine lost some torque on accelerating. I think this is why you need to use premium when towing according to the manual. However, it seems to me that the regular will give you better gas mileage. Since I haven't finished the last tank, I can't confirm that yet. But judging by half-tank result, the regular beat the premium.
Premium Gas or Not !
BTW, there will be no extra 10 horse if you use premium on Pilot. It's a very misleading topic.
Our honda pilot is rated 240 hp. If we can get 10 hp by getting premium fuel, that 250hp. It's will be more powerful than a Acura MDX. Do you think Honda will design a car that will be better than Acura?
Premium or not is truly based on the engineer that design the engine. Based on the compression ration of the engine, it can determined if your car need a higher combustion fuel.
Premium fuel is rated 91 octane or higher. Regular fuel is rated 87 octane or higher.
This is true for most cases.
If we look closely on the spec of Acura MDX & Honda Pilot, both car engine has a same compression. :8:
I think the closer explaination I can come out on why you need premium on MDX and regular on Pilot is :
1. Different computer program.
Each computer is preprogram with all the data such as fuel mapping. MDX CPU program will work best only with Premium fuel. Pilot CPU program is preprogram to work with Regular fuel.
Hope this help.
My :31: = save the extra money by getting regular gas for future addon such as K&N filter (proven additional hp) :29:
:18:
BTW, there will be no extra 10 horse if you use premium on Pilot. It's a very misleading topic.
Our honda pilot is rated 240 hp. If we can get 10 hp by getting premium fuel, that 250hp. It's will be more powerful than a Acura MDX. Do you think Honda will design a car that will be better than Acura?
Premium or not is truly based on the engineer that design the engine. Based on the compression ration of the engine, it can determined if your car need a higher combustion fuel.
Premium fuel is rated 91 octane or higher. Regular fuel is rated 87 octane or higher.
This is true for most cases.
If we look closely on the spec of Acura MDX & Honda Pilot, both car engine has a same compression. :8:
I think the closer explaination I can come out on why you need premium on MDX and regular on Pilot is :
1. Different computer program.
Each computer is preprogram with all the data such as fuel mapping. MDX CPU program will work best only with Premium fuel. Pilot CPU program is preprogram to work with Regular fuel.
Hope this help.
My :31: = save the extra money by getting regular gas for future addon such as K&N filter (proven additional hp) :29:
:18:
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