Fuel - Alcohol Content Recommendations
TS85-143 November 29, 1985Engine Fuel
USE OF METHANOL AND GASOLINE ANTIFREEZE
IN 1986 NISSAN VEHICLES
APPLIED MODELS: All 1986 Nissan vehicles except 200SX and Truck
SERVICE INFORMATION
The Owner's Manual supplied with the above vehicles contains a revised statement regarding the use of gasolines containing alcohol:
Gasolines Containing Alcohol
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing alcohol (gasohol) or other additives with or without advertising their presence. Nissan does not recommend the use of fuels where the alcohol content and the fuel compatibility for your Nissan vehicle cannot be readily determined. If in doubt, ask your service station manager.
If you use gasohol, please take the following precautions as the usage of such fuels may cause vehicle performance problems and/or fuel system damage:
^ The fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research Octane Number 91).
^ If an ethanol blend is used, it should contain no more than 10% ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol).
^ If a methanol blend is used, it should contain no more than 5% methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It should also contain a suitable amount of appropriate cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors. If not properly formulated with appropriate cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors, such methanol blends may cause fuel system damage and/or vehicle performance problems. At this time, sufficient data is not available to ensure that all methanol blends are suitable for use in Nissan vehicles.
The following models should not use gasoline containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol):
^ 1986 200SX
^ 1986 Truck
^ 1985 and prior year Nissan models
Refer to Technical Bulletin EF84-015 (TS84-128) for more details.
If any undesirable driveability problems, such as engine stalling and/or hard hot starting are experienced when using alcohol blend fuels, immediately change to a non-alcohol fuel. The percentage of alcohol in gasoline can be determined by using an Alcohol Detection Kit available from Miller Special Tools, P/N C-4846.
MILLER SPECIAL TOOLS 32615 PARK LANE GARDEN CITY, MI 48135
NOTE: The use of Nissan Gasoline Antifreeze (P/N 999MP-A4030), which contains methanol, is acceptable in all Nissan vehicles when used as directed on the label.