1993 Buick Park Avenue Owner's Manual - Page 245

Fuel Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels so should have the proper additives, you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In the U.S. and Canada, it's easy to be sure you get the right kind of gasoline (unleaded).You'll see "UNLEADED" right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle's filler neck. Be sure theposted octane is at least 87. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it's bad enough, it can damage your engine. If you're using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you still hearheavy knocking, your engine needs service. noise when But don't worry if you hear a little pinging you're accelerating or drivingup a hill. That's normal, and you don't have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It's the heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem. What about gasolinewith blending materials that contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol? MTBE is "methyl tertiary-butyl ether.'' Fuel that is no more than 15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle. Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol. I I Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for your vehicle. Don'tuse it. It can corrode me parts inyour fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage woul be covered under your warranty. And even5% at or less, must there be "cosolvents" and corrosion preventers in this fuel to these problems. I