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NOTE:
If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
R
WARNING
If the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal
condition. It may be caused by:
❑
Too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions.
The service stations sometimes sell winter
grade fuel in the summer.
❑
Pulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high
altitudes.
❑
Extended periods of idling with the engine
RPM increased above the normal idle range.
❑
Parking vehicle in full sunlight for extended
periods on extremely hot days.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL in your vehicle.
Using leaded fuel is prohibited by federal law.
Your warranty may not apply if your vehicle is
damaged because you used the wrong fuel.
Vehicle inspection programs may detect
misfueling. Under these circumstances, you may
be required by law to make costly repairs at
your own expense.
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Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use regular
unleaded fuel with an octane rating of 87
. In
most cases, it is not necessary to use a fuel with
an octane rating higher than 87. At service
stations, the octane rating is displayed on a label
on the pumps.
Typical octane rating label
In some parts of the country, “regular” grade
fuels are sold with octane ratings of 86 or even
less, especially in high altitude areas. We
recommend that you do not use these fuels.
Always use a fuel with an octane rating of 87,
even if it is sold as a “midgrade” or “premium.”
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. However, if a fuel with the
recommended octane rating knocks heavily
under all driving conditions or knocks lightly
driving at cruising speed on level roads, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Persistent, heavy knocking can damage the
engine.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems when the engine is cold, it
may be caused by fuel with low volatility. Try a
different brand of fuel. If the condition persists,
see your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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Using a high-quality fuel makes your vehicle
more responsive and maintains its good fuel
economy and emissions by:
❑
protecting your fuel system from rusting.
❑
preventing the fuel lines from freezing.
❑
improving vehicle starting and warm-up.
❑
protecting the fuel system from vapor lock in
very hot weather, which causes the engine to
hesitate or stall and makes restarts difficult.
❑
minimizing deposits in fuel injectors,
combustion chambers, and on intake valves.
❑
preventing your fuel system from “gumming
up” when your vehicle is not used for long
periods of time.
❑
preventing your engine from knocking and
pinging.
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use a high-quality fuel.
Gasolines for clean air
Fuels in certain areas of the country are required
to contain oxygenates to improve air quality.
Common oxygenates are ethanol or grain alcohol
(blended at no more than 10%), methanol or
wood alcohol (blended at no more than 5% with
cosolvents and additives), and MTBE or methyl
tertiary butyl ether (blended at no more than
15%).
Reformulated gasoline is also required in certain
areas of the U.S. These fuels are designed to
further reduce the emissions from your vehicle.
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Generally, you should not experience difficulties
operating your vehicle on reformulated gasoline
or on fuels containing oxygenates. We encourage
you to use these fuels.
Safety Information Relating to Automotive
Fuels
R
WARNING
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury
or death if misused or mishandled.
Gasoline and other automotive fuels are
extremely flammable. Turn your vehicle off and
do not smoke while refueling your vehicle. Keep
sparks and other sources of ignition away from
fuels.
Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatal if
swallowed. Further, gasoline may be blended
with methanol. Even small amounts of methanol
can cause blindness and possibly death when
swallowed. Therefore, never attempt to siphon
any fuel by mouth.
If any fuel is swallowed, call a physician or
poison control center immediately.
Do not delay
calling a physician merely because no adverse
effects are noticed at first; the toxic effects of a
gasoline-methanol blend, including blindness,
may not become apparent for many hours
. If
gasoline is swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
If a gasoline-methanol blend is swallowed,
induce vomiting under the direction of a
physician or poison control center.
Gasoline and gasoline-methanol blends may
contain small amounts of carcinogens, such as
benzene. Long-term exposure to unleaded
gasoline vapors has caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Further, excessive inhalation of fuel
vapors can cause headache, dizziness, nausea,
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