Types of Fuel A Hyundai Santa Fe Uses (All Model Years)
This article will cover in-depth the exact types of fuel a Hyundai Santa Fe uses. We will sort out all of your queries and confusion regarding other possible fuel variations available in the market for your Hyundai Santa Fe.
Hyundai Santa Fe is a utility SUV (sport) which a South Korean manufacturer Hyundai produced, back in 2000. It had its first model year in 2001. Hyundai Santa Fe has total four generations with a variety of engine options, on which depends the types of fuels it takes. Hyundai Santa Fe was named after New Mexico’s city “Santa Fe”.
Let’s go through a brief overview of this article regarding the correct types of fuel a Hyundai Santa Fe uses before jumping into the explanation;
To summarize, Hyundai Santa Fe’s gasoline engines can utilize a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline or above 87 (Regular, unleaded) for all the models and generations (2001 to present day). Do not use Ethanol beyond 10%. Manufacturers prohibit the use of E-85 since it will damage the engine. Only use top-tier gasoline (with added detergent). Only for the 4th generation of Hyundai Santa Fe, drivers can use 15% of Ethanol.
What is the Importance of Using the Correct Type of Fuel Hyundai Santa Fe?
However, now the query arises, why is it so important to know about the correct type of fuel for your Santa Fe? The response to this is simple; to guard your engine against damage and accidents of fire and to keep your warranty away from being void.
Generation-wise Type of Gasoline A Hyundai Santa Fe Uses
However, by using the databases of the manufacturers, forums, and reviews of people around the globe driving a Hyundai Santa Fe, all the data here concerning the correct type of gasoline for your Hyundai Santa Fe, according to its four generations and their corresponding engines, is well-researched and collected to assist you so that you can enjoy fully out of your vehicle. Let’s begin!
The Hyundai Santa Fe – 1st Generation- 2001 to 2005
Engines under first-generation of Hyundai Santa Fe function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but at least 87 Octane. Following are the three engines that first generation of Hyundai Santa Fe offers;
- 2.7 L V-6 AWD
- 2.4 L Inline-4 FWD
- 3.5 L V-6
The Hyundai Santa Fe – 2nd Generation- 2006 to 2011
Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2nd generation includes model years 2006 to 2011. Hence, engines function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Following are the engines that the 2nd generation of Hyundai Santa Fe offers;
- 3.5 L V-6
- 3.3 L V-6
- 2.7 L V-6 AWD
- 2.4 L Inline-4 FWD
Do You Know?
There are differences between Diesel-based & Gasoline-based engine. They can never be used in the same vehicle. Click here to read more.
The Hyundai Santa Fe – 3rd Generation- 2012 to 2017
Hyundai Santa Fe’s 2nd generation includes model years 2012 to 2017. Hence, engines function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Following are the engines that the 3rd generation of Hyundai Santa Fe offers;
- 3.5 L V-6
- 3.3 L V-6
- 2.0 L Inline-4 turbo
- 2.4 L Inline-4 FWD
The Hyundai Santa Fe – 4th Generation- 2018 to Present
Hyundai Santa Fe’s 4th generation includes model years 2018 to present. Hence, engines function well on a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded) or higher, but not less than 87 Octane.
Following are the engines that the 4th generation of Hyundai Santa Fe offers;
- 1.6 L Inline-4 (hybrid)
- 2.0 L Inline-4 turbo
- 2.5 L Inline-4 FWD
- 2.5 L Inline-4 (turbo)
- 2.4 L Inline-4 FWD
Diversity of Fuel Other Than Conventional Gasoline
Which Other Varieties of Fuel Are Compatible With Hyundai Santa Fe?
Today, we have various fuel options for our automobiles, from Reformulated Fuel (RFG) to different additives and blends. But the question is, are they even compatible with Hyundai Santa Fe? Do they have any side effects?
We will address this question quickly in the below section of this article, so STAY TUNED!
Gasoline comprising Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT)
It is suggested by the manufacturers of the Hyundai Santa Fe not to add any additive which is based on Manganese since it can damage the system of your vehicle that controls the emissions. If it is used in vehicles in which its usage is not recommended, it can lead to much harm.
Gasoline comprising Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT) was used to improve the octane of fuel with poor quality and to seize the knocking noise produced by engines back then.
Biodiesels
Biodiesel oils are very nature friendly since they are soyabean oil derivatives. Canola and yellow grease are the sources and are biodegradable. Although biodiesel oils are very nature friendly since they are derived from cooking oil (wasted), vegetable, and soybean oils, through a process called “Trans-esterification”,.
But Hyundai Santa Fe engines do not use biodiesels since they are only compatible with diesel-based engines, which the USA market does not offer.
Reformulated Gasoline Fuel (RFG)
It is allowed by the Hyundai Santa Fe manufacturers to consume RFG, whenever it is available, over a non-reformulated gasoline fuel. It is also best recommended for the area having smog at a higher concentration to decrease air pollution.
Hyundai Santa Fe Manufacturer’s Suggested Fuel
Hyundai Santa Fe owners recommend using Top-tier detergent gasoline, which keeps the engines clean and away from debris. Use atleast 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded).
Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends for Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe can function on oxygenated blends, but except for the 4th generation, Santa Fe can use equal to or less than 10% ethanol. The fourth generation functions on 15% ethanol.
Gasoline with Added Cleaning Agents
To keep your engine clean, safe, and up to the standards of emission, TOP-TIER detergent gasoline is highly recommended for Hyundai Santa Fe manufacturers.
It is suggested that the Hyundai Santa Fe should utilize a gas mixed with a large concentration of agents used for cleaning. Cleaning agents such as; additives are recommended so that your vehicle remains safe from deposits and debris and to keep your vehicle’s engine free from the excessive buildup of Carbon in the valves and injectors.
These are readily available with your nearest top-tier retailers. These cleaning additives increase the performance of your car.
Prohibited Additives
Additives prohibited by Hyundai Santa Fe’s manufacturers include;
- Solvents
- Methanol
- Silicon
- Any metal-based ones
- Kerosene
- Additives based on metals
You may want to read: Types of Fuel Used By A GMC Sierra.
Point to Pounder!
“My Hyundai Santa Fe’s Engine Knocks Afterwards Refilling”- What It Indicates?
If you put a lower than 87 octane-rated gasoline in your Hyundai Santa Fe, it degrades the performance and economy of the engine. Gasoline will burn prematurely if one puts a lower-octane gas in a machine with higher compression. It causes an unsmooth burn and engine knock.
Hence, it is highly crucial to use the correct gasoline fuel with the right octane grading. Read in detail about knocking of engine.
If you hear a fainted-knocking sound from your Hyundai Santa Fe’s engine, it indicates no danger. But if you hear a loud knocking sound from your Hyundai Santa Fe’s engine, it is due to the usage of a lower quality and lower octane gasoline.
How Can I Reduce “Knocking Noise” from My Hyundai Santa Fe’s Engine?
To reduce the knocking-like noise in your Hyundai Santa Fe, fill up your tank with a recommended minimum of 87 Octane-graded gasoline or a mid-graded 91-octane gasoline or greater. Use at most 87 octane-graded gasoline.
Can All the Generations of Hyundai Santa Fe Consume RFGs as Fuel?
You must be pondering if all generations of Hyundai Santa Fe are suitable for using Reformulation Gasoline Fuel, so the answer to this is YES!
Hyundai Santa Fe can utilize RFGs, as a fuel option whenever it is available since it has also been compulsory for almost nineteen states and regions in the United States of America to use less toxic fuel to protect the quality of air.
How to Locate a Flex-Fuel Vehicle?
A yellow bezel surrounding the inlet of the fuel tank indicates that your vehicle is flex-fuel. If you are unable to find it there, then you can check out the door of your fuel tank as well.
However, Hyundai Santa Fe’s manufacturers do not allow it to run the engine on an E-85, even if it is flex-fuel.
Hyundai Santa Fe Users’ Reviews – Regular or Premium Gasoline, Which One Do They Recommend?
After leading revisions from various forums, journals, and reviews of the people using Hyundai Santa Fe globally, the conclusion is that; the regular, unleaded gasoline with 87 Octane-rating has proved to work well for them, for the generations and model years of Hyundai Santa Fe.
Conclusion
To conclude, Hyundai Santa Fe is a utility SUV (sport) which a South Korean manufacturer Hyundai produced, back in 2000. It had its first model year in 2001.
About the types of fuel a Hyundai Santa Fe uses; its gasoline engines can utilize a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline or above 87 (Regular, unleaded) for all the models and generations (2001 to present day). Use top-tier detergent gasoline to have a better performance.
Do not use Ethanol beyond 10%. Manufacturers prohibit the use of E-85 since it will damage the engine. Only use top-tier gasoline (with added detergent). Only for the 4th generation of Hyundai Santa Fe, drivers can use 15% of Ethanol.
