Fuel Delivery and Air Induction: Service Precautions

MTBE/ETBE
Some fuel suppliers blend gasoline with materials that contain oxygen such as alcohol, MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) and ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether). Oxygenates are required in some areas of the country during winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. The type and amount of oxygenate used in the blend is important. The following are generally used in gasoline blends:

Ethanol - (Ethyl or Grain Alcohol)
Properly blended, is used as a mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Gasoline blended with ethanol may be used in your vehicle.

Methanol - (Methyl or Wood Alcohol)
Is used in a variety of concentrations when blended with unleaded gasoline. You may find fuels containing 3 percent or more methanol along with other alcohols called cosolvents.

CAUTION: Do not use gasolines containing Methanol. Use of methanol/gasoline blends may result in starting and driveability problems and damage critical fuel system components. Problems that are the result of using methanol gasoline blends are not the responsibility of Chrysler Motors and may not be covered by the new vehicle warranty.

MTBE/ETBE
Gasoline and MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) blends are a mixture of unleaded gasoline blended and up to 15 percent MTBE. Gasoline and ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) are blends of gasoline and up to 17 percent ETBE. Gasoline blended with MTBE or ETBE may be used in your vehicle. Many gasolines are now being blended that contribute to cleaner air, especially in those areas of the country where pollution levels are high. These new blends provide a cleaner burning fuel and some are referred to as reformulated gasoline.

REFORMULATED GASOLINE
Many areas of the country are requiring the use of cleaner-burning fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline. Reformulated gasolines are specially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality Chrysler Corporation strongly supports the use of reformulated gasolines whenever available. Although your vehicle was designed to provide optimum performance and lowest emissions operating on high quality unleaded gasoline, it will perform equally well and produce even lower emissions when operating on reformulated gasoline.

MATERIALS ADDED TO FUEL
Indiscriminate use of fuel system cleaning agents should be avoided. Many of these materials intended for gum and varnish removal may contain active solvents of similar ingredients that can be harmful to fuel system gasket and diaphragm materials.