1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 247

Adding Equipmentto the Outside of Your Vehicle Things you might add to th'e outsideof your vehicle can affect the airflow around This may cause wind noise it. and affect windshieldwasher performance. Check with your Pontiac dealer before adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle. of pinging. It's the heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem. If your vehicle is certified to meet CaliforniaEmission Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label), it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California specifications. If such fuels are not available states in adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but emission control system performance may affected. be Fuel The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. may t r on and/or your vehicle may fail asmog-check un D4814 At a minimum, it should meet specifications ASTM test. If this occurs, return toyour authorized Pontiac dealer in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93 in Canada. for diagnosis to determine the cause fadure. In the event of Improved gasoline specifications have been developed by it is determined that the cause of condition is the type of the the American Automobile Manufacturers Association fuels used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty. (AAMA) for better vehicle performance and engine Some gasolines that are not reformulated low for protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA specification emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called cou1.d provide improved driveability and emission control methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); system protection compared to other gasolines. ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used, you drive. If it's bad enough, it can damage your engine. spark plug life may be reduced and your emission control system performance may be affected. The If you're using fuel rated at 87 octane o'r higher and you malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But may turn on. If this occurs, returnto your authorized don't worry if you hear alittle pinging noise when Pontiac dealer for service. you're accelerating or driving up a hill. That's normal, and you don't have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid