Get INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Fuel Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

Break−in period

Fuel

Drive gently and avoid high speeds.

FUEL TYPE

Use of unleaded fuel with an octane num-

ber or rating lower than stated above will

cause persistent heavy knocking. If se-

vere, this will lead to engine damage.

Your vehicle must use only unleaded

gasoline.

Your vehicle does not need an elaborate

break−in. But following a few simple tips

for the first 1000 km (600 miles) can add

to the future economy and long life of

your vehicle:

To help prevent gas station mixups, your To-

yota has a smaller fuel tank opening. The

special nozzle on pumps with unleaded fuel

will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on

pumps with leaded gas will not.

If your engine knocks ...

If you detect heavy knocking even when

using the recommended fuel, or if you

D Do not drive over 100 km/h (62 mph).

hear steady knocking while holding

D Avoid full−throttle starts.

steady speed on level roads, consult your

Toyota dealer.

minimum, the gasoline you use

D Try to avoid hard stops during the first

should meet the specifications of ASTM

D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5−M93

in Canada.

300 km (200 miles).

However, now and then, you may notice

light knocking for a short time while accel-

erating or driving up hills. This is no

cause for concern.

NOTICE

GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT

ADDITIVES

Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of

leaded gasoline will cause the three−

way catalytic converter to lose its

effectiveness and the emission con-

trol system to function improperly.

Also, this can increase maintenance

costs.

Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that

contains detergent additives to avoid build−

up of engine deposits.

However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. con-

tains detergent additives to keep clean and/or

clean intake systems.

OCTANE RATING

Select unleaded gasoline with an Oc-

tane Rating of 87 (Research Octane

Number 91) or higher.

146

QUALITY GASOLINE

OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE

GASOLINE QUALITY

Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Eu-

rope and Japan have developed a specifica-

tion for quality fuel named World−Wide

Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to

be applied world wide. The WWFC consists

of three categories that depend on required

emission levels. In the U.S., category 3 has

been adopted. The WWFC improves air

quality by providing for better emissions in

vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction

through better vehicle performance.

Toyota allows the use of oxygenate blended

gasoline where the oxygenate content is up

to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE. If you use

gasohol in your Toyota, be sure that it has

an octane rating no lower than 87.

In a very few cases, you may experience

driveability problems caused by the partic-

ular gasoline that you are using. If you

continue to have unacceptable driveability,

try changing gasoline brands. If this does

not rectify your problem, then consult your

Toyota dealer.

Toyota does not recommend the use of

gasoline containing methanol.

GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT

NOTICE

Some gasoline contain an octane en-

hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-

clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).

z Do not use gasohol other than

stated above. It will cause fuel sys-

tem damage or vehicle performance

problems.

CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE

Toyota does not recommend the use of

gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel con-

taining MMT is used, your emission con-

trol system may be adversely affected.

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the in-

strument cluster may come on. If this hap-

pens, contact your Toyota dealer for ser-

vice.

Cleaner burning gasoline, including refor-

mulated gasoline that contains oxygenates

such as ethanol or MTBE is available in

many areas.

z If drivability problems are encoun-

tered (poor hot starting, vaporizing,

engine knock, etc.), discontinue its

use.

Toyota recommends the use of cleaner

burning gasoline and appropriately blended

reformulated gasoline. These types of gas-

oline provide excellent vehicle perfor-

mance, reduce vehicle emissions, and im-

prove air quality.

z Take care not to spill gasohol dur-

ing refueling. Gasohol may cause

paint damage.

147

INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA -> Fuel for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

Related Topics

INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR TOYOTA

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals