Yes, most Acura TL models are recommended to use premium gas—but not all of them require it.
Whether you need to use premium depends on the model year and engine type.
Acura TL Fuel Recommendations by Engine
✅ 3.2L V6 (Base Models)
- Found in many TLs from 1999 to 2008
- Premium fuel is recommended for best performance
- Regular unleaded is acceptable, but it may slightly reduce power and efficiency
✅ 3.5L V6 (Base 2009–2014 TL)
- Premium fuel is recommended, not required
- The engine will adapt to regular unleaded, though you may notice a small dip in performance
❌ 3.7L V6 (TL SH-AWD Models)
- These higher-performance TLs (especially from 2009–2014)
- Premium fuel is required to maintain proper combustion and prevent engine knock
- Using regular can hurt performance and potentially cause long-term engine damage
What Happens If You Use Regular Gas?
- In non-SH-AWD TLs, the car’s ECU will compensate by adjusting timing and fuel mixture
- You may experience:
- Slightly reduced horsepower
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Possible engine knocking under heavy acceleration (rare in newer models)
Final Thoughts
Yes, an Acura TL—especially the SH-AWD version—does require premium gas.
Other TL models recommend premium for optimal performance but can safely run on regular in most cases.
If you want the best out of your engine in terms of power, efficiency, and longevity, stick with 91+ octane whenever possible.
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