What gas does Acura recommend?
Acura generally recommends premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher for most models, especially turbocharged engines, in North America. Regular 87-octane gas is not recommended for optimal performance and longevity; always consult the owner's manual for your specific model and year.
Understanding Acura's octane guidance
Acura's official guidance centers on premium fuel to ensure the engine timing, boost, and fuel-management system operate as designed. The octane rating helps prevent knocking and preserves performance and efficiency across the lineup, which includes turbocharged engines that are common in modern models.
Turbocharged and high-performance engines
Turbocharged models such as the TLX, MDX, RDX, and other performance variants rely on higher-octane fuel. Using premium gasoline is strongly advised to avoid pre-detonation and maintain peak power and drivability.
Octane is a measure of resistance to knocking; higher octane is required for engines with higher compression or boost. Always verify the requirement for your vehicle.
Here are the general fuel-octane guidelines Acura provides for most current models:
- Premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended for most Acura models in North America.
- Regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane) may be permissible in some engines, but performance, efficiency, and long-term engine health can be affected, especially in turbocharged variants.
- Always confirm the exact fuel requirement in the owner's manual, the fuel-filler door label, or Acura's official owner resources for your specific vehicle and region.
Concluding: For most drivers with most models, premium fuel is the safest bet to ensure the engine runs as designed, with peak performance and efficiency. When in doubt, rely on the official documentation for your vehicle.
Region and model nuances
Fuel requirements are broadly similar in many markets, but octane scoring and availability vary by country. Acura's international manuals align with premium unleaded fuel standards, but check the local specifications and dealer guidance if you are outside North America or driving a regional variant.
Summary
Acura's guidance centers on premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher for most models, with higher-octane fuel recommended for turbocharged engines. Regular gasoline is generally not advised, and drivers should consult the owner's manual for model-specific requirements.
Do I use 87 or 89 gas?
Regular (87 octane) – The standard fuel for most vehicles. Mid-grade (89 octane) – Slightly more resistant to knocking. Premium (91–93 octane) – Designed for high-performance or turbocharged engines.
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.
What happens if I don't use premium gas in my Acura TLX?
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.”
Do Acura require premium gas?
According to Acura, premium gas is required for the Acura NSX, and it's recommended for the MDX, RDX, TLX, RLX, and ILX. The answer to the question, “Do all Acuras require premium gas?” is no — but it's recommended that you use a higher-octane fuel in your Acura for several reasons.
