We are considering buying a 2004 Miata. I noticed the gas required is premium. Is it possible to use medium or regular? Could this cause problems?

Thanks.
Laura

 

You MIGHT, IF YOU DRIVE LIKE GRANDMA. but, this is a bad idea. the fac sets the fuel oct based on the compress of the eng. if you use a lower oct gas you will get run-on (the eng chugs after the key is turned off) as a result of carbon build up in the clyd's. if you must run a lower oct, go down 1 level, no more than one tank. then go back up to the recom oct. if this is the only thing keeping you from buying the car, how much do you wnt it? happy motoring.

 

I don't know so much about the NB engines, but I thought they all ran on regular except the MSMs. If you're not looking to run the car on premium, you might look at one without a turbo.

 

I have an '04 (NB) and it is suppoed to run on 91 or higher Octane. That is higher than mid-grade (89) but lower than premium (93). I just filled up with the mid-grade to see how it runs on it.

 

Skip the Starbucks coffee in the morning, and use the high grade 93 octane. Let's see, $2 per day, five days per week...yup the Starbucks cost more than the extra cost of the premium fuel! AND YOU'LL GET IT BACK IN PERFORMANCE AND EXTRA GAS MILAGE!!! Don't skimp on the fuel type, leave the Starbucks alone....THERE ARE PRIORITIES!