What Types of Fuel Chevrolet Equinox Takes – Regular or Premium?
In this article we will sum up everything about the exact types of fuel a Chevrolet Equinox takes. We have also covered types of fuel a Dodge Durango uses last week; you can read it here. Does it require premium gasoline or a regular one to perform on the roads?
Chevy/Chevrolet Equinox, a SUV that is crossover in its class, is one of the amazing SUVs offering its drivers a comfort drive. Chevrolet manufactured it back in 2004, with its first model in 2005, with total of four generations by now in the United States of America.
Let’s move further in this article to know in detail about its engine types and the exact types of fuel a Chevrolet Traverse takes. But before that, here’s a brief overview for you.
Hence, a minimum of 87 octane gasoline fuel is required for the Chevrolet Equinox first generation. Engine 2.4 L (from the second generation) can utilize both the Ethanol-85 and a regular gasoline fuel. Engine 3.0 L (V-6) also uses regular 87 octane gas. Except for the engine 2.0 L, all the engines from the third and fourth generation take 87 octane gasoline. The 2.0 L Turbo engine uses 93 premium octane gasoline fuels.
Types Of Fuel Chevrolet Equinox Takes According to Engine’s Type (All Model Years)
By using the databases of the owners, forums, and reviews of people around the globe driving Chevrolet Equinox, all the data here concerning the correct types of fuel a Chevrolet Equinox takes is well searched. Let’s go!
The Chevrolet Equinox – The Model Years- 2004 to 2009
Model years 2004 to 2009 of Chevy Equinox consist of the first generation. 3.4 L (V-6) and 3.6 L (V-6) requires regular 87 octane gas to perform well.
Engines that the Chevrolet Equinox model years 2004 to 2009 offer are;
- 3.4 L (V-6)
- 3.6 L (V-6)
The Chevrolet Equinox – The Model Years- 2009 to 2017
Model years 2009 to 2017 of Chevy Equinox consist of the second generation. This is the only generation that includes flex-fuel 2.4 L engine, using E-85. 3.0 L (V-6) requires regular 87 octane gas.
Engines that the Chevrolet Equinox model years 2009 to 2017 offer are;
- 2.4 L
- 3.0 L (V-6)
The Chevrolet Equinox – The Model Years- 2017 to 2020
Model years 2017 to 2020 of Chevy Equinox consist of the third generation. This also includes diesel engine, but it was only present in the auto-mobile market till 2020. The diesel engine offered in this generation i.e., 1.6 L Turbo Diesel, requires Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel. 1.5 L, 2.4 L, and 3.6 L inline-6 require regular 87 octane gas.
Engines that the Chevrolet Equinox model years 2017 to 2020 offer are;
- 1.5 L Turbo
- 2.0 L Turbo
- 2.4 L Premier
- 1.6 L Turbo (Diesel engine)
- 3.6 L (in-line 6)
Do You Know?
Chevrolet offers many other cars which use the similar type of fuels. For instance, Chevrolet Tahao fuel types. Gasoline used by Tahao is quite similar to the Equinox uses.
The Chevrolet Equinox – The Model Years- 2020 to Present
Chevrolet Equinox model years 2020 to the present include the fourth generation of Chevrolet Equinox. Engine 1.5 L Turbo requires 87 octane regular gasoline to perform well. Whereas engine 2.0 L Turbo requires premium 93 octane-graded gasoline to function well.
Engines that the Chevrolet Equinox model years 2020 to the present offer are;
- 1.5 L Turbo
- 2.0 L Turbo
Varieties of Fuel Other Than Conventional Gasoline:
Today, we have various fuel options for automobiles, from Reformulated Fuel (RFG) to different additives and blends. But the question is, are they even compatible Chevrolet Equinox? Do they have any side effects?
We will address this question quickly in the below section of this article, so Hang On!
Reformulated Gasoline Fuel (RFG)
It is allowed by the Chevrolet Equinox manufacturers to consume RFG, whenever it is available. This fuel alternative reduces the Carbon emissions. Using them for the area having a very poor quality of air is crucial.
Chevrolet Equinox Owner’s Suggested Fuel
Chevrolet itself recommends using Top-tier detergent gasoline for its Chevrolet Equinox, which keeps the engines clean and away from debris. Use a minimum of 87 octane-graded gasoline (Regular, unleaded). Use a premium 93 Octane-graded gas for its 2.0 L Turbo engine.
Gasoline Blends (Oxygenated)
For Chevrolet Equinox cars after the year 2009 to 2017 (second generation), Ethanol-85 is allowed to be used. The addition of gasoline over 15% is not recommended. Methanol is highly prohibited from using blended with gasoline and is incompatible.
Gasoline With Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT)
It is suggested by the manufacturers of the Chevrolet Equinox not to add any additive which is based on Manganese since it can damage the system of your vehicle that controls the emissions.
Gasoline having Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT) used to improve the octane of fuel with poor quality and to eliminate the knocking noise produced by engines in the past. If it is used in vehicles in which its usage is not recommended, it can lead to much harm.
Prohibited Additives
Additives prohibited by Chevrolet Equinox manufacturers include;
- Solvents
- Methanol
- Silicon
- Any metal-based ones
- Kerosene
- Additives based on metals
- Lead-based on fuels.
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 Chevrolet Equinox manufacturers.
Most Commonly Asked Queries!
“My Chevrolet Equinox Engine Knocks Afterwards Refilling”- What Does It Mean?
If you put a lower than 87 octane-rated gasoline in your Chevrolet Equinox , 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.
If you hear a fainted-knocking sound from your Equinox, it indicates no danger. But if you hear a loud knocking, it is due to the usage of a lower quality and lower octane gasoline.
How to Reduce “Knocking Noise” from My Chevrolet Equinox Engine?
To reduce the knocking-like noise in your Chevrolet Equinox, fill up your tank with a recommended minimum of 87 Octane-graded gasoline or a mid-graded 91-octane gasoline or greater. Never use lesser than 87 octane-graded gasoline.
Can All the Models of Chevrolet Equinox Consume RFGs as Gasoline Alternative?
You must be pondering if all generations of Chevrolet Equinox are suitable for using Reformulation Gasoline Fuel, so the answer to this is YES!
Chevrolet Equinox can utilize RFGs, as a fuel option whenever it is available. 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 Chevrolet Equinox Vehicle?
Following are the ways to locate a flex-fuel Chevrolet Equinox engine;
- A yellow bezel surrounding the inlet of the fuel tank of Chevrolet Equinox 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.
- But keep in mind to burn all the flex-fuel when you decide to run your vehicle on regular gas, and add at least 5 gallons of flex-fuel in your tank at a time while refilling. After that, drive your vehicle for at least 8 miles.
Chevrolet Equinox Drivers’ Reviews – Which Gasoline Do They Recommend; Regular or Premium?
After leading revisions from various Chevy forums the conclusion is that; where the regular, unleaded gasoline with 87 Octane-rating has proved to work well for them, the ones using the premium gasoline with 91 or higher Octane rating has proved to work much better for them.
Except for the engine 2.0 L, all the engines from the third and fourth generation take 87 octane gasoline. The 2.0 L Turbo engine uses 93 premium octane gasoline fuels.
Numerous drivers prohibit using gasoline blended with Ethanol by more than 15%. This results in severe engine damage. But E-85 can be used only with flex-fuel engine.
Conclusion
To conclude, a minimum of 87 octane gasoline fuel is required for the Chevrolet Equinox first generation. Engine 2.4 L (from the second generation) can utilize both the Ethanol-85 and a regular gasoline fuel.
Whereas engine 3.0 L (V-6) also uses regular 87 octane gas. Except for the engine 2.0 L, all the engines from the third and fourth generation take 87 octane gasoline. The 2.0 L Turbo engine uses 93 premium octane gasoline fuels.
