Does Nissan Murano Require Premium Gas? (Answered!)

The soft-top CrossCabriolet was a pretty daring move on Nissan’s part if I do say so myself. A convertible crossover was something unheard of at the time, so I definitely give them credit for diving into an innovative design. 

But considering the CrossCabriolet is no longer on the market, you want to make sure you do everything you can to keep it running in top shape. That means servicing it regularly, getting problems fixed promptly, and always using the right fuel in your car.

So you might be asking…

However, if you’re driving a Murano CrossCabriolet, Nissan recommends fueling up with premium to keep your engine running smooth.

A Snippet of History

Nissan debuted the Murano, its first crossover SUV, in 2003. Prior to that, the automaker’s main sellers were the Altima, Maxima, and Pathfinder. The Murano allowed the company to dip into a new swath of customers looking for something different.

As one of the only crossovers on the market at the time, the Murano found itself a decent customer base among people who wanted the feel of an SUV without all the bulk. The midsize SUV falls squarely between the Pathfinder and the Xterra in size and shares a chassis with the Altima. 

In 2011, Nissan opted to expand its Murano offerings by adding a new model. The Murano CrossCabriolet emerged as part of Murano’s second generation. But unfortunately, it was only available for four model years and was discontinued in 2014.

The CrossCabriolet was the first crossover convertible to roll into the market. It was sharp, unique, and fun to drive. So for anyone who loved to feel the whipping wind in a convertible but didn’t want the fuss of a tiny car, the CrossCabriolet was the perfect option.

About the Nissan Murano

The newest generation Nissan Murano comes in four different trim levels:

• S
• SV
• Midnight Edition
• SL
• Platinum

Currently, all trim levels of the Murano only need low-octane, or regular, fuel. 

However, the same can’t be said for the briefly-released Murano CrossCabriolet, which only offered one fully decked-out trim package.

Loaded up with Nissan’s standard CVT engine, the Murano didn’t get great gas mileage, but it offered a smooth, quiet ride. In addition, its cabin was fully-loaded, so every aspect of this vehicle was pretty fun to experience. 

The CrossCabriolet also requires premium fuel. So, if you weren’t sure whether or not you should be putting premium, midgrade, or regular in your tank, I can tell you unequivocally that premium is the way to go.

What Is Octane and Why Does it Matter?

When you turn your car on, it immediately starts burning gas. A piston moves down and opens the intake valve to let in a mix of gas and air. Then, the piston moves up and closes the valve, trapping the air and fuel and putting a huge amount of pressure on the fuel inside. That pressure leads to combustion.

Octane tells you how much pressure gas can take before it combusts. The higher the number, the more pressure the fuel can take before it ignites. If your car calls for premium gas, that means the engine is designed to put a lot of pressure on the fuel in your tank.

How Do You Know You’re Using the Right Fuel?

When you go to the pump, you’ll see several buttons emblazoned with a large number that you can push to choose your gas option. Those numbers represent the octane rating.

Octane ratings for fuel have a huge range, but for cars, your options will be among the following:

• 87 (regular)
• 89 (midgrade)
• 90 (midgrade)
• 91 (premium)
• 92 (premium)
• 93 (premium)
• 94 (premium)

Essentially, the lower the number, the less pressure the gas can take. A higher number means your fuel can manage more compression.

Why Does Fuel Octane Matter?

The engineers at Nissan laid out their fuel requirements for a reason, and that’s to make sure your car is running the way it should–smoothly, quietly, and without engine issues.

Some people might tell you it’s not a big deal to put regular or mid-grade fuel in a vehicle that specifically requires premium. And while you might not see a massive dip in performance, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into other issues.

So, aside from a potential decrease in performance, what else can go wrong if you use the wrong fuel? Well, a few things.

Engine Knocking

One of the most common signs you’re using the wrong fuel in your car is what’s called “knocking.” Knocking occurs when gas ignites at the wrong time during combustion.

Why is that bad?

Engine knocking doesn’t always mean your engine is damaged or on its way to being damaged. However, if you hear it consistently, you could start to notice a decrease in performance.

There are several reasons you might hear knocking coming from your engine that have nothing to do with your gas. For example, rod bearings or degraded spark plugs could cause a similar pinging sound.

But if you put regular fuel in your Murano CrossCabriolet and you’ve started to hear that tell-tale ping-ping-ping, there shouldn’t be much question as to what’s causing it. Over time, that knocking could lead to more significant problems, so it’s best to address it sooner rather than later.

Poor Gas Mileage

Another reason it’s so important to use the proper fuel in your vehicle is that it can affect your gas mileage. It might not affect it significantly per fill-up, but that money will add up over time.

If a car is designed for high-octane fuel and you fuel up with low-octane, your MPG could dip. It might be tempting to save a few bucks by filling up that 20-gallon tank with regular instead of premium, but ultimately, you’ll risk having to fill up more often. More fill-ups mean more money out of your pocket, so any savings you might get by switching won’t really be worth it.

Decreased Engine Health

Putting the right fuel in your tank will improve gas mileage and prevent knocking, which are two significant benefits. But using the proper octane in your Murano CrossCabriolet will help maintain your car’s engine health, too.

When the fuel in your tank fires more than once or at the wrong time, it’s putting excess wear on your engine. Considering engines are quite literally the beating heart of a car and cost a ton to repair, keeping it running should be a top priority.

Should You Put Premium In Your Nissan Murano?

If you’re driving a Murano CrossCabriolet, you should follow the instructions in the owner’s manual and use premium fuel in your vehicle. It’s vital for the health of your car, but it’ll also help keep you from overpaying for fuel.

Remember–the people who design these vehicles know a thing or two about cars, engines, and how all the bits and pieces work together. If your vehicle is designed to hold premium fuel, you should skip the regular and go straight for high-octane. It’ll be worth it in the long run. Trust me.