Fuel System Specifications

Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher for best performance. You may use middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline, but your vehicle may not accelerate as well.

It is recommended that the gasoline meet specification which have been developed by the American Automobile Manufactures Association (AAMA) and endorsed by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association for better vehicle performance and top engine protection. Gasoline meeting the AAMA specifications could provide improved driveability and emission control system performance compared to other gasoline. For more information, write to : American Automobile Manufacturer's Association, 7430 Second Ave., Suite 300, Detroit MI 48202.

Be sure the posted octane for premium is at least 91 (at least 89 for middle grade and 87 for regular). If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If the knock is bad enough, the problem can damage your engine.

If you use fuel rated at the recommended octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But do not worry if you hear a little pinging noise when you are accelerating or driving up a hill. That is normal, and you do not have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. However a heavy, constant knock means you have a problem.

If your vehicle is certified to meet to California Emission Standards, indicated on the under hood emission control label, the vehicle is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. If such fuels are not available in states adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel may turn ON and/or your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If either condition occurs, return to your authorized dealer for diagnosis in order to determine the cause of the failure. In the event it is determined that the cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.

Some gasoline that are not reformulated for low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask your service station operator whether or not the fuel contains MMT.