Octane Recommendations; Fuel Quality - Ford 2009 Escape Hybrid Owner's Manual

Maintenance and Specifications
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Note: Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and repairs may not
be covered under warranty.

Octane recommendations

Your vehicle is designed to use
87
"Regular" unleaded gasoline with a
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
(R+M)/2 METHOD
gasolines labeled as "Regular" in
high altitude areas that are sold with octane ratings less than 87.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.

Fuel quality

If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. "Premium"
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
"Regular" unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world's automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
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2009 Escape Hybrid (ehv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)