The Chevy Equinox is an excellent SUV, and whether you already own or are looking to buy a pre-owned or brand-new Chevy Equinox near Lewisville, it’s important to understand how to properly care for it, and that includes what gasoline to fill it with. This guide can answer all of your important questions on fueling a Chevy equinox correctly.
What Type of Fuel Does the Chevy Equinox Use?
The Chevy Equinox uses standard unleaded fuel to power its engine. Owners are advised to use unleaded 87 or higher, and to not use fuels with methanol in their Chevy Equinox. It is also important to avoid filling your tank with diesel fuel, which can lead to severe damage.
How Do Octane Levels Affect Car Performance
When operating a Chevy Equinox, your engine works through a series of controlled combustion events. It is also possible, however, for combustion to occur spontaneously outside of the planned performance. When this occurs, it is referred to as knock. The higher the octane rating is on the gasoline you put into your gas tank, the less knock you should expect to occur when operating your Chevy Equinox.
Reducing knock within your engine is beneficial in two important ways. The first benefit to using a higher octane gasoline in your Chevy Equinox is the protection it provides for your engine. The spontaneous combustion events can cause damage over time, so by using a higher octane which reduces their occurrence, you minimize wear on your engine, keeping it running better now and extending its life span to save you money later.
In addition to the long-term savings of reducing instances of engine failure or repair needs, you can also experience the benefits of higher octane firsthand in the moment, as well. Knock has the effect of reducing the efficiency of your Chevy Equinox’s engine as well. This means that using a higher octane gasoline can increase your fuel efficiency by reducing the amount of fuel wasted in spontaneous combustion events.
What Happens if You Use the Wrong Fuel in a Chevy Equinox?
Using the right fuel in your Chevy Equinox is critically important. Failing to do so can have significant short- and long-term consequences for your vehicle. The severity of harm caused by filling your tank with the wrong type of fuel can vary based on the quantity of incorrect fuel poured.
If you catch your mistake shortly after beginning, or if you were simply topping up your fuel, you may not experience long-term damage if you accidentally topped up with the wrong one. Because the incorrect fuel can distill within the intended fuel already in the tank, it may be processed with minimal damage. On the other hand, if you do a full-tank load or fill it up more than half-way with incorrect fuel, your car is unlikely to function, and attempting to use it can lead to significant damage.
If you realize that you have filled your car with the wrong fuel prior to attempting to use it again, do not turn your Chevy Equinox on. If there is a significant amount of incorrect fuel, your Equinox will not start and attempting to do so will only spread the fuel through your lines. In the event the fuel is sufficiently distilled, your vehicle may start but it can lead to further damage. Instead, call for a tow to a service center you trust immediately. Service professionals can drain the incorrect fuel in order to prevent you from damaging your Chevy Equinox.
What Is a Chevy Equinox’s Fuel Efficiency Rating?
The Chevy Equinox has excellent gas mileage for an SUV. When filled with 87 octane or higher, you can expect to reach fuel efficiencies as high as 25 miles per gallon for city driving. Highway driving in your Chevy Equinox is even more efficient, with economy up to 30 miles per gallon. The Chevy Equinox is considered on of many Chevy SUVS with great fuel efficiency! To get the most out of each gallon, remember that you can choose fuel with a higher octane rating for efficient fuel burning.
How Big is a Chevy Equinox Gas Tank
The standard fuel tank on a Chevy Equinox has a carrying capacity of 15.6 gallons. This means that you can get up to 468 miles of highway driving on a single tank of gas. It is recommended to fill your Chevy Equinox’s gas tank before you reach the empty warning level. It is also recommended to fill up the tank if you are going on a long drive and you do not know when your next available gas station will be.
How Can You Improve a Chevy Equinox’s Fuel Economy
In addition to filling your Chevy Equinox with high octane gasoline, there are other ways to improve your fuel economy. Keep these tips in mind to maximize the efficiency of your Chevy Equinox:
- Clear it out. The simplest way to raise the efficiency level of your Chevy Equinox is to make sure it is not carrying stuff unnecessarily. By keeping it clean and not storing items in it when you don’t need them, you reduce the weight you carry and make your Equinox more fuel efficient.
- Keep it maintained. Staying on top of regularly scheduled maintenance for your Chevy Equinox is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to care for your vehicle. It’s also an excellent way to raise your fuel efficiency and save at the pump. Maintenance keep systems working how they’re supposed to which minimizes any waste due to errors and maximizes your fuel economy.
- Drive at consistent speeds. Maintaining steady speeds while you drive reduces energy wasted in braking. When on highways, keep safe distances to avoid sudden stops which are bad for your fuel economy.
- Minimize idling. Keeping your vehicle running while not in it wastes gasoline, and reduces the number of miles you get out of each fill. If you are going to be staying at a location for more than a minute, it’s beneficial to turn off your equinox until you return.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Chevy Equinox, or purchasing a Chevy Equinox near Lewisville, come down to Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville, or contact us online today. Our staff can help you find an Equinox you love to take for a test drive and to purchase if you feel it’s the right fit for you.