Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 943

FUEL USAGE STATEMENT—GAS POWERED
ENGINES
Your vehicle was designed to meet all emission reg­
ulations and provide excellent fuel economy using
high quality unleaded gasoline. Only use unleaded
gasolines having a minimum posted octane of 87.
I f your vehicle develops occasional light spark
knock (ping) at low engine speeds, this is not harm­
ful. However, c o n t i n u e d heavy k n o c k at h i g h
speeds can cause damage a n d should be re­
p o r t e d to y o u r dealer immediately. Engine dam­
age as a result of heavy knock operation may not be
covered by the new vehicle warranty.
I n addition to using unleaded gasoline with the
proper octane rating, those t h a t c o n t a i n deter­
gents, corrosion a n d s t a b i l i t y additives are rec­
ommended. Using gasolines that have these
additives will help improve fuel economy, reduce
emissions and maintain vehicle performance. Gener­
ally, premium unleaded gasolines contain more addi­
tive than regular unleaded gasolines.
Poor q u a l i t y gasoline can cause problems such
as hard starting, stalling and stumble. I f you experi­
ence these problems, use another brand of gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.
GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with
materials that contain oxygen such as alcohol, MTBE
and ETBE. The type and amount of oxygenate used
in the blend is important. The following are generally
used i n gasoline blends:
ETHANOL
Ethanol (Ethyl or Grain Alcohol) properly blended,
is used as a mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90
percent gasoline. Gasoline w i t h ethanol may be
used i n y o u r vehicle.
METHANOL
CAUTION: DO NOT USE GASOLINES CONTAINING
METHANOL. Use of methanol/gasoline blends may re­
sult in starting and driveability problems. In addition,
damage may be done to critical fuel system compo­
nents.
Methanol (Methyl or Wood Alcohol) is used i n a va­
riety of concentrations blended with unleaded gaso­
line. You may encounter fuels containing 3 percent or
more methanol along with other alcohols called cosol-
vents.
Problems that are the result of using methanol/gas­
oline blends are not the responsibility of Chrysler
Corporation. They may not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
MTBE/ETBE
Gasoline and MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
blends are a mixture of unleaded gasoline and up to
15 percent MTBE. Gasoline and ETBE (Ethyl Ter­
tiary Butyl Ether) are blends of gasoline and up to
17 percent ETBE. Gasoline blended with MTBE or
ETBE may be used i n your vehicle.
CLEAN AIR GASOLINE
Many gasolines are now being blended that con­
tribute to cleaner air, especially i n those areas of the
country where air pollution levels are high. These
new blends provide a cleaner burning fuel and some
are referred to as Reformulated Gasoline.
I n areas of the country where carbon monoxide lev­
els are high, gasolines are being treated with oxygen­
ated materials such as MTBE, ETBE and ethanol.
Chrysler Corporation supports these efforts toward
cleaner air and recommends that you use these gaso­
lines as they become available.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS—DIESEL ENGINE
WARNING: DO NOT USE ALCOHOL OR GASOLINE
AS A FUEL BLENDING AGENT. THEY CAN BE UN­
STABLE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND HAZ­
ARDOUS OR EXPLOSIVE WHEN MIXED WITH
DIESEL FUEL
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable sup­
plier i n your Dodge diesel powered truck. For most
year-round service, number 2 (No. 2) diesel fuel
meeting ASTM specification D-975 will provide good
performance.
I f the vehicle is exposed to extreme cold (below
-18°C - 0°F), or for any reason is required to operate
at colder than normal conditions for prolonged peri­
ods, use climitized No. 2 diesel fuel. A dilution of No.
2 diesel fuel with 50 percent kerosine may also be
used. This fuel will provide better protection from
fuel gelling or wax-plugging of the fuel filters.
Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of water. To
prevent fuel system trouble, including fuel tube (line)
freezing i n winter, drain the accumulated water reg­
ularly using the water drain provided. For proce­
dures, refer to Draining Water from Filter under the
Fuel Filter/Water Separator heading. This can be
found i n the Diesel Engine—Component Removal/In­
stallation section of this group.