Fuel And Fuel Systems; Fuel Fill; Fuel Types And Vapor Lock - Fleetwood Bounder 1987 Owner's Manual

Road conditions, terrain, weather, and other driv-
ing factors are sometimes unpredictable, and moun-
tain driving or desert temperatures can put extreme
demands on drivetrain components-especially the
transmission. Under extreme heat conditions you may
need to turn off the vehicle air conditioner to improve
engine and transmission cooling.
Allow for the extra height of your motor home and
avoid areas having low overhead clearance. Check for
low-hanging tree branches or other obstructions
whenever you drive or park. Avoid low roofs when
pulling in .for service. Always check overhead
clearances of overpasses and bridges. This may be
particularly important if you drive with the overhead
vents open or if the motor home is equipped with a
roof air conditioner, roof rack, CB or TV!radio antenna.
When parking parallel to a curb, be sure to allow
for poles or ()bstructions as the front and rear portions
of the motor home swing wider than an automobile.
When parking on an incline, turn the front wheels in-
to the curb in the direction of the roll to aid the park-
ing brake. Always shift the transmission to PARK
("P") and set the parking brake when parking.
FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEMS
Your motor home engine may be run on either
unleaded or regular fuel. See the Chassis Operator's
Manual in the Owner's Information Package. Since the
generator fuel supply is the same as the motor home
. engine fuel supply, consult the operating instructions
for the generator before deciding on a fuel type.
'Fuel Fill
The fuel filler cap is located on the side of the coach
, as shown in the illustration. Modern fuel systems may
build up vapor pressure within the tank as the gasoline
warms during use or hot weather. Under certain con-
ditions, sudden release of this pressure when remov-
ing the gasoline cap can spray gasoline from the fill
opening, causing a possible hazard.
WARNING: WHEN REMOVING THE GASOLINE
CA(> •.
ROTATE,lr,~~O\\,LY.ONLYJ~R
ENOUGH TO
ALLOW,
~IlE~SI.l,~E,;TO
.. "ELE.MEI, AFTEIl.,AIIIY
"HISSING" SOUNDS STOP. COMPLETE THE
REMOVAL OF THE CAP.
To protect the gasoline system from excessive
pressure or vacuum, or from sudden release of
pressure, replace lost caps with caps of the same
design available from your Fleetwood motor home
dealer.
Clean up fuel spills immediately. Raw fuel spilled
on the motor home could damage the exterior finish,
and is a serious fire hazard.
Fuel Types And Vapor Lock
Today's automotive fuel and emissions systems are
sophisticated and highly engineered to meet Federal
and state emissions standards. They are also
sometimes sensitive to fuel types and blends, par-
ticularly blends that are optimized for climatic condi-
tions. Fuel refiners change the additives in the fuel to
compensate for temperature variations during winter
or summer months. This compensation changes the
"vapor pressure" of the fuel. This means that the fuel
vaporizes easier during the winter than it does during
the summer when higher air temperatures help the fuel
vaporize in the engine. Since colder temperatures
reduce the fuel's ability to vaporize and burn in your·
engine, additives help raise the v'olatility of the fuel.
This helps the engine start easier and run smoother
during winter months. Under the best of condition's,
. the
,r,~f.i,l1,ers
supply .their
ga~
station c!Jstor;r\ers with.
tl;\e . . p!lrtE!RtJ~el fOf,t\1t;lir!Io,pation and sea$Onal\io'1i:1i7;
tions. Sometimes thoiJgh" fuel blended for w.inter,is
suppiied during s'ummer months. •
"What'this all means is that there is a possibility of
"'(apor lock" during summer driving .. Thjs .Q\lnqitj!l!l,
is a. Qo,mbination of new engine design .(with att!!,n-
danthigher temperature's under the hood); arid 'ex-
. 'cessive fuel. vaporization caused by the vap()r pressure
of~he
;fuel you are. using. If your enginearyd fl.!!ll
system are properly tuned arid maintained. you should
not experience vapor lock. If vapor lock occurs, the
fuel itself could be the' cause. If at all possible, check
w,it,h~lth~' gasst!!tio[),at~endan~ as, to. the. fuel ,btenc;l, .
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