Fuel - Buick PARKAVENUE 1994 Manual

Fuel
3800 (L27) 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 D48 14 in
the
U.S.
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 U.S. 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.
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.
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