Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in
the
U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels
should have the proper additives,
so you should not have
to add anything to the fuel.
In the
U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the
right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see
“UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles
will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving
up a hill. That’s normal,
and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that
contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no
more than
15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle. Ethanol
is ethyl or
grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel
that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for
your vehicle. Don’t use it. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And even at
5%
or less, there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers in this fuel to help avoid
these problems.
I
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your
use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and
fuel
system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly. It’s good for
your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner
air.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use
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ProCarManuals.com
Long Distance Driving ............................ 159
LossofControl
................................. 148
Low Coolant Warning Light
....................... 110
Low Fuel Light ................................. 105
Low Oil Pressure. Warning Light ................... 110
Luggage Carrier ..............................
Maintenance
Inspections
.............
Record .................
..................
..................
. . 101
... 279
... 282
Schedule
.................................... 256
Underbody
.................................. 253
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
....................... 107
Manualseat
..................................... 14
Markings. Pavement
............................. 134
Master Cylinder. Brake
........................... 233
Methanol
in Gasoline ............................. 215
Mirrors
......................................... 94
Mist, Driving
in ................................. 154
Mobile Telephone, Adding a
....................... I14
Mountain Driving
................................ 16 1
MTBE in Gasoline ............................... 215
N (Neutral) Gear Position ......................... 72
New Vehicle “Break-In”
........................... 65
NightDriving ................................... 149
Nightvision
.................................... 150
Notices About Damage
............................. 2 Octane
Required for Your Car
..................... 237
Odometer
....................................... 99
Off (Ignition Key Position) ......................... 67
Off-Road Recovery
.............................. 146
Oil. Change Your Engine .......................... 221
Oil. Engine
..................................... 220
Oil Pressure Warning Light
........................ 105
Operation in Foreign Countries ..................... 216
Outside Mirrors
.................................. 94
Overdrive, Automatic
............................. 72
Overheated Engine
............................... 192
Owner Checks and Services
........................ 276
P (Park) Position ................................ 71
Paint Spotting
................................... 254
Park. Shifting Into
................................ 75
Parking Brake
.................................... 74
Parking on Hills
................................. 163
Parking Over Things That Burn
...................... 77
Pavement Markings
.............................. 134
PedalTravel, Brake
.............................. 143
Perception Time, Braking
......................... 139
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................... 279
Polishing and Waxing
............................ 252
Passing
........................................ 147
299
ProCarManuals.com
