No. The 2023 Honda Pilot does not require premium gasoline. Honda specifies unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 87 or higher, so regular 87-octane fuel meets the requirement.
2023 Honda Pilot fuel requirement
| Question | Honda guidance |
|---|---|
| Minimum pump octane | 87 or higher |
| Premium required? | No |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline |
| Ethanol | Up to 15% ethanol by volume |
| Methanol | Do not use gasoline containing methanol |
Will premium gas give it more power?
Honda does not instruct owners to use premium fuel for normal operation. Buying higher-octane gasoline is therefore not necessary simply because the Pilot uses a modern V6 engine.
What if you use less than 87 octane?
Honda warns that gasoline below the specified octane can cause persistent heavy metallic knocking and may lead to engine damage. Use 87 pump octane or higher.
What gasoline does Honda recommend?
Honda recommends quality gasoline with detergent additives and advises against harmful manganese-based additives such as MMT when suitable fuel is available. The 2023 Pilot is designed to operate on gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol by volume.
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