1997 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 233

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