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Does an Acura TSX require premium gas?

Yes, the Acura TSX requires premium gasoline (91 octane or higher) for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. This is a common requirement for many luxury and high-performance vehicles to ensure the engine runs smoothly and avoids potential damage.


Acura TSX Fuel Requirements


The Acura TSX is a midsize luxury sedan that was produced by Honda's premium brand Acura from 2003 to 2014. According to the owner's manual and information from Acura, the TSX has a recommended fuel octane rating of 91 or higher. Using a lower octane fuel can potentially cause engine knocking, reduced power, and decreased fuel economy.


The TSX's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and available 3.5-liter V6 engine are both designed to run on premium gasoline. Acura engineers tuned these engines to take advantage of the higher octane fuel, which allows for increased compression ratios and more advanced ignition timing. This results in better performance, efficiency, and emissions control compared to using regular 87 octane fuel.


Why Premium Fuel is Recommended



  • Engine Performance: Premium gasoline has a higher octane rating, which allows the engine to run at higher compression ratios without experiencing knocking or pinging. This results in more power and torque output from the engine.

  • Fuel Efficiency: The increased combustion efficiency from premium fuel can lead to slightly better fuel economy, offsetting some of the higher fuel cost.

  • Engine Protection: The higher octane rating of premium fuel reduces the risk of engine damage from pre-ignition or detonation, which can occur with regular gasoline in high-performance engines.


While the Acura TSX can technically run on regular 87 octane gasoline, it is not recommended by the manufacturer. Using a lower octane fuel may result in reduced power, acceleration, and fuel economy, as well as potential long-term engine wear and damage over time.

Does the Acura TSX require premium gas on Reddit?


Your engine will be perfectly fine running 87 as it was built to accept that octane rating in its parameters. If you want more power/better fuel economy put in 91.



What happens if I don't use premium gas in my Acura?


When you fill your Acura's fuel tank with a lower octane level than is recommended, you'll experience pre-ignition (also known as engine knocking). Pre-ignition negatively affects your fuel economy and can damage your pistons or cylinder walls over time.



Can I use regular gas in Acura TSX?


So, do all Acuras require premium gas? The short answer, no. However, to get the most out of your vehicle, it is highly recommended.



Which Acura does not require premium gas?


Only one Acura model explicitly requires premium gas–the Acura NSX supercar–but there are other models that recommend you use premium gas over regular. The Acura MDX, RDX, TLX, RLX, and ILX all run more efficiently on premium gas, but you can use regular gas if you need to.



Is it OK to mix regular and plus 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.



Is it OK to put regular gas in a premium car?


If your car requires premium to run smoothly, but you aren't able to find a station with premium gasoline, it won't hurt to top off with regular gasoline. You do want to avoid running on regular gasoline for extended periods of time.



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 Acura does not require premium 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!



Which Acura models use regular gas?


Do All Acuras Require Premium Gas? Like we stated, premium gas is only recommended on the MDX, RDX, TLX, RLX, and ILX Acura models. You'll be safe on our Cherry Hill roads using regular gas in these automobiles.



Will regular gas ruin my premium car?


However, remember this: when a premium fuel engine runs on regular fuel, there's a risk of combustion of the fuel mix before the spark plug even lights up. This causes a phenomenon called knocking, which is likely to damage the engine.


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.