Has anyone had or know of any issues when using 89 Octane instead of the minimum recommended 91? I ask because I just found out that is what my wife has been putting in our car for a couple of tank fulls. Incidently, I drove it today and didn't notice any difference.
Any thoughts?

 

YIKES!
The only potential damage would be divorce.

 

the book says "91 is recommended for high performance but using 89 might result in low performance." i think... i was reading it while i was pumping few days ago.

 

the possibly could be knocking but more so over a longer period of time

 

There wouldn't be any knocking... the knock sensor would retard ignition and you'd be all set. Problem is you'd have decreased performance from that, but otherwise you'd be ok.

With that said, I'd never put 89 in my car...

 

My bro in law did a test in his car and he pretty much got reimbursed the extra few bucks u pay for 93 thru extra mileage he got over the 89.

 

For the few cents you save and the difference in price between 89 and 91 is not worth having to pay for a damage engine if it ever does occur.

Always put minimum 91 on mine. I put 92 a couple of times and it ran better.

 

be gentle with the poor girl but make sure you tell her "DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN !!!!"

 

had a 97 maxima (VQ30DE) that wanted premium. i noticed that during the summer, lower octane produces knocking, especially when driving uphill. in the winter, not as much knocking. couldn't really tell performance difference, other than knocking. incidentally, the knock sensor always showed up as malfunctioning when doing a diagnosis.

 

i think the Op knew this but his wife didnt and so he was makking sure if it would cause problems

 

It will be fine, the cars computer will compensate for the lower octane , but it will run much better with Premium octane.

 

i tried it once and the knocking becomes noticeable when the car gets really hot. I noticed mine when I went through a drive thru and the sound of the engine echos back to the drivers window . Since then 89 is a NO NO..

 

My wife even told me to use gas with 87 Octane for the G. She said that her friends told her that it makes no difference, and the different octane ratings are just a way for gas companies to make more profit

My solution? As any good married man would, I said "Yes dear", and keep on putting 91 Octane gas in the G (I can do this because I'm the only one filling the G up )

 

keep in mind all that the knock sensor has to first detect knock before retarding timing, so something bad DOES occur, albeit for a very short period of time.

that doesn't mean it's okay.

use the fuel your car was designed for, or buy another car.

 

mine would have been a bit different

hehe