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Can I use regular gas in Acura Integra?

No, it is not recommended to use regular gasoline in an Acura Integra. The Integra is designed to run on premium unleaded fuel, typically 91 octane or higher. Using a lower-octane regular gas can potentially cause engine knocking, reduced performance, and long-term damage to the vehicle's engine.


Acura Integra Fuel Requirements


The Acura Integra is a compact sports car that requires premium gasoline to operate properly. This is because the Integra's engine is designed to take advantage of the higher octane rating of premium fuel, which helps prevent premature ignition and engine knocking. Using regular 87 octane gas can lead to a noticeable decrease in power and acceleration, as well as potential long-term damage to the engine over time.


According to the Acura owner's manual, the recommended fuel for the Integra is "premium unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher." This is the minimum octane rating that the Integra's engine is designed to run on safely and efficiently.


Consequences of Using Regular Gas in an Acura Integra



  • Engine Knocking: Lower octane regular gas is more prone to premature ignition, which can cause audible engine knocking or pinging noises. This can potentially lead to engine damage over time.

  • Reduced Performance: The Integra's engine is tuned to take advantage of the higher octane rating of premium fuel. Using regular gas will result in a noticeable decrease in power, acceleration, and overall driving performance.

  • Fuel Efficiency Loss: Running the Integra on regular gas can also reduce its fuel efficiency, leading to lower miles per gallon and increased fuel costs in the long run.

  • Engine Damage: Prolonged use of regular gas in an Acura Integra that requires premium fuel can potentially cause serious engine damage, such as pre-ignition, detonation, and increased wear on engine components.


To ensure the Acura Integra runs at its best and to avoid any potential engine issues, it is highly recommended to always use the premium unleaded gasoline specified in the owner's manual, which is typically 91 octane or higher.

What happens if I put 87 in my Acura?


An Acura spokesperson referred us to the TLX's owner's manual, which states, “Use of lower-octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the engine and will result in decreased engine performance.”



Can I use 87 regular gas?


Regular gas with an 87 octane level is suitable for most engines, while some high-output engines require premium gas with higher (91-94) octane levels. Engines designed for regular-octane gas gain little to no benefit from using high-octane fuel.



Can my Acura take regular gas?


The majority of the Acura lineup can safely use regular gasoline in a pinch, but there are good reasons to opt for premium anyway. The only model that requires the upgrade is the Acura NSX. But, premium is recommended for the MDX, RDX, TLX, RLX, and ILX. Find out why with Rallye Acura in Roslyn!



Is it OK to use regular instead of premium gas?


If the owner's manual recommends premium gas instead of requiring it, you can typically operate the vehicle safely on regular gas. Still, you may not reach the performance and fuel economy indicated in the car's specifications.



What happens if I accidentally put regular gas in my Acura?


If you put lower-octane fuel into your high-octane vehicle, whether by mistake or to save money on gas, you'll probably notice the effects right away: things like poor fuel economy, reduced acceleration, and spark knock, which sounds like a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise.



What happens if you mix 87 and 91 gas?


Yes, drivers can mix the two types of fuel. The combined gas types will result in an octane level somewhere in the middle — something the vehicle “will survive,” according to The Drive.



Can you mix regular and premium gas?


There's nothing wrong with mixing premium and regular gas in the same tank. In fact, this is how midgrade gas is formulated at the station. Rather than drawing from a separate storage tank for each octane rating, gas pumps actively mix high-octane fuel with lower-octane fuel to create midgrade gas.



What to do if I put 87 instead of 93?


If you put lower octane gas in a car that requires premium, everything will still probably be fine, but you should be concerned about the “probably” part. In older cars, putting a lower octane gas in the tank might cause knocking and pinging and will result in reduced performance.



Are Acura Integras good on gas?


The new Acura Integra gets the best Acura gas mileage among sedans, delivering up to an EPA-estimated 30/37 MPG (City/Highway). The Acura TLX is the second most efficient Acura car, scoring up to an EPA-estimated 22/31 MPG (City/Highway).



Can Acura Integra take regular gas?


Acura Integra: Premium unleaded 91-octane fuel recommended.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.