In the market for 2009 Path SE...

[shanker]

Newbie here to the forums...I am in the market for a 2009 Path SE model. I noticed the specs indicated Premium gas...my question is why? And have you guys pump regular or mid in this vehicle without issues?

Any feed back on any '09 owners would be appreciated!

[se7en]

I have an 09 SE...

i always fill up with regular - cheaper - carries me for a min of 400 km... about 520 or even 550 hwy

i suppose premium gas would take me 5% further...

[skinny2]

I just bought an '08 SE (identical to '09) and the premium is recommended for maximum performance. There's a sticker on the gas lid that states this.

I've put about 5k miles on mine since December and haven't noticed ANY difference in mpg between premium/regular. I tend to mix it up a bit just depending on my mood. There is a performance difference but I only notice it in the higher rpm band which I'm guessing is where the higher compression really becomes an issue. My commute is 60 miles of hilly two-lane state route (Car and Driver regularly uses this route for testing). I tend to need to pass a few trucks every day and they are very short passing zones so it's easy for me to tell a difference in performance. I would say the average joe wouldn't really notice. If i'm taking a long highway trip, I pump in regular.

[HillbillyJake]

I have an 08 S model and I run regular most of the time. unless you are doing a lot of heavy towing or hot rod'n it pump gas will be fine.

[certz656]

I have an 07 Titan 5.6 V8, and only calls for regular and produces 317 hp., yet to gain max hp on my V8 5.6 Pathfinder, I'm supposed to use premium to get the full 310 horses, What's with that???

[skinny2]

I have an 07 Titan 5.6 V8, and only calls for regular and produces 317 hp., yet to gain max hp on my V8 5.6 Pathfinder, I'm supposed to use premium to get the full 310 horses, What's with that???

I can see the Titan having more options for exhaust so perhaps the tighter engine compartment on the Pathfinder causes that difference. I wonder if their HP specs are at 87 octane or premium? Looking at their website for both V6 and V8 Pathfinders is says "Use regular unleaded fuel with 87 octane. For maximum power, use premium fuel." So perhaps it's capable of more than 310hp with the premium and that would make more sense. 7hp could easily be due to tuning/exhaust. The Frontier V6 doesn't say anything about premium fuel and it's rated for 5hp less than the Pathfinder.

[me&pathy]

well been runing 91 in 2006 and its got 50k in it now and the spark plugs are in excellent condition and i get more response out of 91 versus 87

[shanker]

Thank you all for the responses...I am going to go test drive a silver '09 path SE today...

[CRXguy]

Thank you all for the responses...I am going to go test drive a silver '09 path SE today...

Nice. That is what we just bought.

I've gone through a few tanks of both 87 and 91. I honestly cannot tell the difference, and have been getting the same mileage. There's another gas chain retailer here that carries 90oct for the price of 87, so I will start filling there. A compromise you could say.

[shanker]

We have 87, 91 and 93 here in WI. I don't forsee filling the tank with 93 unless it can cause damage to the vehicle. Base from what I read here my wife will be using 87 currently at ~2.59