Premium Gas in Acura - is it really necessary?

It’s telling you that premium is required, so that’s what you have to use. Use of lower octane fuel will severely impact performance and fuel mileage, enough that anything you might save at the pump disappears in a hurry. The potential for engine damage from pre-ignition is another possible side effect. The engine was designed for a certain octane level, and you would do well to give it what it needs.