Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in
the United States 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 United States 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 (oxygenates), 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.
I 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.
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Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control 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 oxygenates.
General Motors recommends that
you use gasolines with
these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts
of the country that have high carbon monoxide
levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated gasoline.
By
doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those
parts
of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators
if their
gasolines contain deposit control additives and
oxygenates, and if they have been reformulated to
reduce vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do
not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust
system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just
tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
6-4
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Engine Coolant ................................. 6- 17
Adding
.................................... 6-18
Checking ................................... 6-18
Heater
................................ 2- 14. 6. I3
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-50
Temperature Light
........................... 2-49
Engineoil
..................................... 6-7
Additives
................................... 6-12
Checking
.................................... 6-8
What Kind to Use ............................ 6- IO
What to Do with Used Oil ..................... 6-13
When to Change
............................. 6- 12
Ethanol
(In Fuel) ................................ 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-23
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety Belts ............. 1-24
Extender. Safety Belt
............................ 1-50
Adding
..................................... 6-9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-39
Fiberglass Springs
.............................. 6-44
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-5
Filter
. Air Cleaner .............................. 6- 13
Finish Care .................................... 6-42
Finish Damage
................................. 6-43
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... I 3-18
Fixed Mast Antenna ............................. 3- 19 Flashers
. Hazard Warning ......................... 5- I
Flat
Tire. Changing ............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-55
Fluid Levels. Maintenance
........................ 7-36
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-40
Foreign Countries
. Fuel ........................... 6-4
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
Freeway Driving
............................... 4-18
French Language Manual
11
Fr011t Seatback Latches ........................... 1-5
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
............................. 6-5
Gage
...................................... 2-44
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
LowLight
.................................. 2-45
Fuse Block. Instrument Panel
..................... 6-48
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-47
.. ...........................
Gage . En. trine Coolant Temperature ............... 2-50
Gasoline
....................................... 6-3
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
......................... 6-4
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) ................ 4-26
Gear Positions
................................. 2- IS
Glass. Cleaning ................................ 6-41
GloveBox ..................................... 2-8
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
.............. 3-26
9-5
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