Fuel requirements
Your engine is designed to meet all emis- sions regulations and provide satisfactory fuel economy and optimum performance when using high quality unleaded gaso- line having an octane rating of 91 or higher. DaimlerChrysler Corporation re-
quires the use of 91 octane or higher premium fuel to minimize the potential for engine damage. Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at high speeds can cause damage and should be reported to your authorized dealer immediately. Engine damage resulting from operating with a heavy spark knock may not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard starting, stalling and stumble. If you experience these problems, try another brand of gasoline before consider- ing service for the vehicle. Over 60 automobile manufacturers around the world have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica- tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions, engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends the use of gasolines that meet the WWFC specifications if they are available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner burning fuel, referred to as “Reformulated Gasoline”. Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates and are spe- cially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation supports the use of refor- mulated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gaso- lines will provide excellent performance and durability of engine and fuel system components.
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with mate- rials called oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE and ETBE. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the country during the Winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygen- ates may be used in your vehicle.
CAUTION! DO NOT use gasolines containing Methanol. Use of these blends may result in starting and drivability problems and may damage critical fuel system components.
Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline blends are not the responsibility of DaimlerChrysler Corporation and may not be covered by the Limited Warranty. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Methanol, it does not have the negative effects of Metha- nol.
MMT in Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is blended into some gasolines to increase the octane num- ber. Gasolines blended with MMT offer no performance advantage beyond gasolines of the same octane number without MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT have shown to reduce spark plug life and reduce emission system performance in some vehicles. DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends using gasolines without MMT. Since the MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated on the pump, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains MMT.
MMT is prohibited in both Federal and California refor- mulated gasolines. In Canada, MMT can be used at levels higher than those allowed in the United States. For this reason, it is even more important to look for gasolines without MMT in Canada.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional detergents or other additives is not needed under normal conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There- fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Sulfur in Gasoline
If you live in the Northeast United States, your vehicle may have been designed to meet California low emission standards with cleaner burning California reformulated gasoline with low sulfur. If such fuels are not available in
states adopting California emission standards, your ve- hicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting Federal specifications, but emission control system performance may be adversely affected. Gasoline sold outside of California is permitted to have higher sulfur levels, which may affect the performance of the vehicle’s catalytic converter. This may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to illuminate. DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends that you try a different brand of unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the problem is fuel-related prior to returning your vehicle to an authorized dealer for service.
CAUTION! If the CHECK ENGINE Light is flashing, immediate service is required. See the Onboard Diagnostic System (OBDII) paragraph in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section of this manual.
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