I purchased a 2004 Maxima SE with 50,000km and was told by the salesman
(which he pointed out in the manual) that regular gas (87 octane) was fine
for this vehicle. ( My 95 Maxima required premium).
This thing pings like crazy whenever you really put your foot into it.
Anyone have a similar situation? What can be done? I refuse to put premium
gas in it.

"coady" <scoady (AT) apotex (DOT) com> wrote

Your knock sensor might be bad also the timing may need adjusting. Also the
gas might be under the 87 mark things do happen.

I ran 87 octane for a few months in my 2000 Max. Then after one fillup,
it pinged on hard acceleration. Went back to 93-octane, or because of
recent high prices, I've actually filled up half the tank with 93 and then
half with 89. This mixes to 91-octane. My chemical engineering friend
said this mixes out properly to 91-octane.

coady wrote:

"JimV" <jv9999 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

BIG problem here we find 91 sometimes hard to find. Many time it's 87 or
nothing.

My 2000 pings like crazy on 87, is ok on 89 or above,,,

Why do you not want to use premium,,,?? At 3 bucks a gallon premium
is only 15 to 20 cents more than reg - thats only 5 percent - you
would make that up in improved mileage, and the cost of engine
damage...

"coady" <scoady (AT) apotex (DOT) com> wrote:

"coady" <scoady (AT) apotex (DOT) com> wrote

You have to put premium gas in it. Your other options are selling the car,
or replacing the engine in a few months to the tune of $10,000US.

While I find sympathy with people who are new Maxima buyers, I find it
amusing you ALREADY OWNED a Max and are apparantly shocked that it requires
premium. If you wanted a Taurus, why not just buy the Ford and save
$12,000? They burn the cheap gas and have those rocking 9-10 secs. to
60mph times you're looking for.

I don't mean to be glib, but.. well, too late. Sorry man. I've owned a Max
now for 3 1/2 years, and have just read too many posts like yours.

It really should run on regular without pinging. That's what dynamic
timing is all about. On the other hand, gas mileage will drop and make
it pointless. With regular gas, zero-to-60 should be reached in about
11 seconds, about 4 seconds slower than with premium.

I run my 2005 3.5SE on 91 octane premium here. It cost about 5% more but the
mpg goes up 12%

It works out that the premium is cheaper to run in the car. the car also
runs better...more acceleration better all round performance. For the price
of these cars why use cheap gas?

Shawn
"coady" <scoady (AT) apotex (DOT) com> wrote

You have to remember,,,,

Some people will drive 20 miles to save 5 cents a gallon on gas,,,

all the whille chatting on thier cell phone at 20 cents a minute,,LOL


"The Axelrods" <saxelrod (AT) mts (DOT) net> wrote: