Table of Contents
Advertisement
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.
Methnrzol
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.
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.
6-3
Advertisement
Table of Contents
