# Running an Acura MDX on regular gas

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722>\
**Category:** Power/Fuel\
**Tags:** mdx, acura, gasoline\
**Created:** [January 17, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722 "2010-01-17T15:37:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pegster38](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@pegster38](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pegster38)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/1 "2010-01-17T15:37:08Z")

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My husband wants to run an Acura MDX on regular gas instead of premium. Will this damage the engine in any way?

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/2 "2010-01-17T15:39:26Z")

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Read the owner’s manual. If it says ‘Premium Required’, using a lower grade may damage the engine and will void the warranty. If it says ‘Premium Recommended’, then the engine can compensate for lower grades of fuel without damage, but you will sacrifice fuel economy and power.

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**Author:** ![pegster38](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@pegster38](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pegster38)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/3 "2010-01-17T15:50:02Z")

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Thanks for the info!

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/4 "2010-01-17T16:25:49Z")

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The car maker’s engineers chose the recommended octane fuel (“gas”) based upon the design and performance of the engine. I don’t presume to be able to choose a “better”, or “lesser” octane, than the designers. Someone else can presume, if they wish. Whatever the result of that decision is on them.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/5 "2010-01-17T20:55:38Z")

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If engine requires premium, the answer is maybe or maybe not.

I don’t think there is any blanket statement for all cars unfortunately, it is engine and application specific unfortunately.

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-an-acura-mdx-on-regular-gas/42722/6 "2010-01-17T21:10:08Z")

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The owner’s manual for some years of the MDX says that continued use of regular gas may cause engine damage. Does your manual say this? If not, tell us exactly what it does say and we can give you better help.