Do acuras take premium or regular gas?
Answer depends on the engine in your Acura. Turbocharged and high-performance variants typically require premium (or at least strongly benefit from it), while many naturally aspirated engines can run on regular unleaded. Always verify with your owner's manual or fuel-filler sticker for your exact model and year.
Fuel octane matters because higher-compression or turbocharged engines are more prone to knocking if the fuel isn’t high enough. Acura engines are designed with knock sensors and adaptive timing, but using the correct octane helps ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Fuel requirements by engine type
Turbocharged and high-performance engines
Engines with turbocharging or higher compression typically require premium gasoline to maintain power, efficiency, and to prevent knocking. In practice, Acura’s turbo models and performance trims are designed with a premium octane requirement or strong recommendation.
- Turbocharged variants such as the 2.0-liter turbo engines used in current RDX and TLX configurations
- High-performance variants like the TLX Type S and NSX
Conclusion: Use premium (usually 91 octane or higher) for these engines to ensure peak performance and engine protection. Running regular can trigger knock and reduce performance, especially under boost or heavy load.
Naturally aspirated engines
Most Acura models with naturally aspirated engines can run on regular unleaded (87 octane). Premium fuel is not required for basic operation, though some drivers may notice improved throttle response or smoother performance with premium in certain conditions.
- Base or non-turbo configurations across various Acura models
Conclusion: For engines without turbocharging, regular 87 octane is typically sufficient; using premium is optional and may not provide a meaningful gain in everyday driving, though it can be beneficial for certain driving scenarios.
How to confirm for your model
To be sure, consult your vehicle’s fuel-related information:
- Check the owner's manual for the exact octane requirement
- Look at the fuel-filler door sticker, which often lists the recommended octane
- Contact an Acura dealer or service department for your specific year/model
Note: Octane recommendations can vary by year and regional fuel standards, so verification is essential if you’ve recently changed models or configurations.
Summary
In short, Acura’s octane requirements depend on the engine. Turbocharged and performance-oriented engines almost always call for premium fuel, while many naturally aspirated engines can operate on regular while still delivering acceptable performance. Always check the official manual or fuel label for your exact vehicle to ensure you’re using the correct octane.
Can an Acura run on regular gas?
Most Acura models will run on regular gas, but the manufacturer recommends premium fuel for optimal performance and efficiency. While your car won't be damaged by using regular gas, you may experience reduced performance. The only Acura that requires premium fuel is the NSX. Always check your owner's manual or the label inside the fuel filler door for the specific recommendation for your vehicle.
Important considerations
- Performance: Using regular gas can lead to reduced engine performance and acceleration in recommended premium models because the engine may adjust its timing to compensate for the lower octane.
- Engine Knock: Premium fuel is less likely to pre-ignite, which is a condition known as engine knock. Acura's modern engines have knock sensors to prevent this, but using the recommended fuel helps avoid the need for the engine to compensate for knock.
- Fuel Economy: There may be a slight decrease in fuel economy when using regular gas instead of premium.
- Required vs. Recommended: For most models like the MDX, RDX, and TLX, premium is recommended, but not required. The NSX is the exception and requires premium fuel.
- What to do: To find out exactly what your car needs, check the inside of your fuel filler door or your owner's manual.
What happens if you put regular gas in an Acura TLX?
You'll be safe on our Cherry Hill roads using regular gas in these automobiles. However, the engines in these models are designed for optimal performance when high-octane fuel is used. In other words, you'll get the best performance from these engines when you use premium gas.
What happens if you put 87 instead of 91?
The car will be fine. Every car manufacturer that requires 91 octane fuel knows that there will still be people who put 87 octane in the tank, so they don't factory tune the engine to self destruct on 87 octane. At most, the vehicle will pull timing and you'll be down a bit on power.
Can you use regular gas in the Acura RDX 2025?
While it's essential to use premium unleaded gasoline in your 2024/2025 Acura RDX, it's important to avoid using lower-octane fuels (such as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87).
