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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.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than
S%
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 prevent-
ers 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.
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
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7
Corporation
1 5 7 . .
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