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Fuel
3800 L36 (Code K) Engine
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter for your engine. You will
find the VIN at the top left of your instrument panel.
(See "Vehicle Identification Number" in the Index.)
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 plast
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.
6-3
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