Pontiac Sunfire owners manual page 249

text version of content this owner's manual page from owners manual to the vehicle Pontiac Sunfire, year of production 1995 - 2005:

Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane isSome gasolines that are not reformulated for low less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise whenemissions may contain an octane -enhancing additive you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you(MMT); ask your service station operator whether or hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. Butnot the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does not don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise whenrecommend the use of such gasolines. If fuels containing you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,MMT are used, spark plug life may be reduced and your and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get ridemission control system performance may be affected. of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that meansThe malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument you have a problem. panel may turn on. If this occurs, return to your If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emissionauthorized Pontiac dealer for service. Standards (indicated on the underhood emission controlTo provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meetare now required to contain additives that will help California specifications. If such fuels are not availableprevent deposits from forming in your engine and in states adopting California emissions standards, yourfuel system, allowing your emission control system vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meetingto function properly. Therefore, you should not have federal specifications, but emission control systemto add anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines performance may be affected. The malfunction indicatorcontaining oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and lamp on your instrument panel may turn on and/or yourreformulated gasolines may be available in your area to vehicle may fail a smog -check test. See “Malfunctioncontribute to clean air. General Motors recommends that Indicator Lamp” in the Index. If this occurs, return you use these gasolines, particularly if they comply with to your authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis tothe specifications described earlier. determine the cause of 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. 6-4

owners manual Pontiac Sunfire

owners manual Pontiac Sunfire - year of production: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 - Pontiac Sunfire owners manual EN