My Premium Gas Experience

[Trainman]

So, for the last almost 11,000 km I have been using premium fuel (91 octane) in the Pathfinder even though it is only "recommended", not required.

 

I have noted the following:

 

I have had a "battle" with the Service Engine Soon Light (SESL) or check engine light. I could not get more than 2-3,000 km without it coming on, always for either a valve timing and/or a idle speed issue. The light went out 400 km after I switched to the premium fuel and has not been on since. I have even tried to provoke the SESL without any luck

 

Performance is better, notably on hills (and hills would be a trigger for the SESL too). Less need for gearing down as on regular gas.

 

Fuel consumption: strange here, at lower speed highways (90-100 kph limits) there is no change but at higher speed limits (110) fuel economy has increased and is the same as the lower speed. Before, there was a noticeable drop in economy at speeds over 100 kph. Looking at the spreadsheet, you can not tell what speed highway was being driven (but you can still tell the off-road stuff). Lots of MPG in the 24-26 range (imperial)

 

The facts:

 

Km driven: 10,980 (includes all types: highway, urban, off-road)

Liters used: 1,394.2

 

 

I think I will keep at it and see what happens over the entire year, need some winter driving experience in my data set.

[HitTheTrails]

Wow, averaging 12.7L/100km is good, I'm around 15.2L/100km if I remember correctly (I don't have my spreadsheet infront of me). I do have a tendency to be heavy footed though

This is after approx. 9000km of tracking.

I run regular gas, have auto tranny, and have 30" MTR's.

Now that I installed the manual hubs I'm hoping I'll notice a slight decrease in consumption.

[Trainman]

Wow, averaging 12.7L/100km is good, I'm around 15.2L/100km if I remember correctly (I don't have my spreadsheet infront of me). I do have a tendency to be heavy footed though

This is after approx. 9000km of tracking.

I run regular gas, have auto tranny, and have 30" MTR's.

Now that I installed the manual hubs I'm hoping I'll notice a slight decrease in consumption.

 

I use cruise as much as I can (really helps) and have a light foot. The kms I posted does not take into account the 3% difference in the odometer from the larger tires I run, so it is even a bit better (adjusted kms would be 11,300).

 

Because I use my truck for work, I keep pretty good records (got to keep Revenue Canada happy) so have a pretty good idea on fuel use.