On this blog, we carry out a lot of research and analysis on the specific questions you have, no matter how simple or technical they get. Today we are looking at Chevy Blazer – all of its generations, along with confusing names. We are mainly looking at the aspect of fuel requirement and everything related. Here’s a quick answer before we go into details.
Each generation has its engine options with different fuel requirements. In general, V8s (big block Chevys) require premium 93 octane gas while the small block Chevys require mid-grade. All the other engines are designed to run regular gasoline having a minimum octane rating of 87.
This was just the tip of the iceberg. We will detail how even the same model with different trim levels would require different types of octane-rated fuel. We will start with the first generation of Chevy Blazer that debuted in 1969, and then onwards, we will move to the latest model.
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Also read: How Many Miles Can A Chevy Blazer Last? (Answered)
Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type And Generation
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV First Generation 1969-1972
All six-cylinder engines use regular gas. V8s require premium gas with the exceptions; 327, 350, and 396 cubic inch variants.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 250 CID L22 Inline-6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 292 CID L25 Inline-6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 307 CID V8 | premium 93 |
| LS9 350 CID V8 | premium 93 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Second Generation 1973-1991
V8s require premium gas with the exceptions; 327, 350, and 396 cubic inch variants.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 250 Inline-6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 292 CID Inline-6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| V8 with four different options; viz, 305 CID, 307 CID, 350 CID, 400 CID | Mid-Grade 91 required premium 93 preferred |
| 6.2L Detroit Diesel LH6 V8 | premium 93 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Third Generation 1992-1994
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 5.7L 350 CID V8 LO5 | Mid-Grade 91 required premium 93 preferred |
| 6.5L Detroit Diesel Turbocharged V8 | premium 93 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Fourth Generation 1995-1999
Blazer was coming up with two different sizes, so the bigger version was named Tahoe, and the smaller mid-size Blazer was the Blazer to make matters easy. And up to this day, the full-size SUV segment of Chevrolet is ruled by the flagship Tahoe. The mid-size Blazer will see another confusing change in the coming years to give you a glimpse into the later section of this article.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 5.7L LO5 small block V8 | Mid-Grade 91 required premium 93 preferred |
| 6.5L Detroit Diesel Turbocharged V8 | premium 93 |
These engines are made for performance. It’s best to use premium fuel. If you can’t find premium, then you can use mid-grade, only for the time being.
Mid-size Chevy Blazer SUV First Generation 1983-1994
Now coming to midsize Blazer, also known as the S10 Blazer, to keep you confused – the first generation debuted in 1982 with the S-10 platform to be sold in 1983. This segment was introduced to compete with the competitors who were selling these compact SUVs like hotcakes.
With 4.3L (code W) engine, use 91 or higher unleaded gasoline. For all the remaining engine options, only use 87 or higher. When you are towing or have a high payload requirement, it is preferred to have high octane gasoline instead of the usual 87. High octane gasoline will give you better performance. For lighter loads, you can use mid-grade fuel.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 1.9L (1983-1985) | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 2.0L OHV inline-4 (1983-1985) | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 2.8L V6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| Fuel-injected 2.5L (Iron Duke) 1985-1989 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 4.3L V6 | Mid-Grade 91 or higher octane rated gasoline |
| 2.8L V6 (1989-1990) | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
Mid-size Chevy Blazer SUV Second Generation 1995-2005
It is recommended to use 87 or higher octane-rated fuel. In situations where you are towing a lot of weight, you should use premium, and in case the weight isn’t that much, you can use mid-grade instead.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| Vortec 4300 V6 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
It depends on the situation, whether you have a heavier load or a lighter load. Ethanol up to 10% would be okay to use.
Mid-size Chevy Blazer SUV Third Generation 2002-2009
Alongside the second generation, the third generation was also being sold. After this generation, the name Blazer went dormant. The platform was renamed Traverse after this generation. The third-generation Blazers were now called the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 4.2L inline-6 DOHC Vortech 4200 | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) or higher |
| 5.3L V8 | Mid-Grade 91 or higher octane rated gasoline |
| 6.0L V8 | Premium Gas 93 Octane |
| LS2 C6 Corvette engine (SS model) | Premium Gas 93 Octane |
These were the Blazer’s high-end models that were fitted with big engines. The compact design having big engines is the recipe for performance. These engines will require high-quality fuels. It’s better to use mid-grade regularly with the mixing of premium once in a while to keep things clean.
Mid-size Crossover Chevy Blazer SUV 2019-Present
| Engine | Fuel Requirement |
| 2.5L Inline-4 Ecotec LCV | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) |
| 3.6L V6 LGX | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) |
| 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 LSY | Regular 87 Octane (pump gas) |
What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?
Chevys Recommendation
The company itself recommends the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline to keep your engine cleaner and help reduce carbon deposits. Chevy also recommends using gasoline that has a minimum octane rating of 87. It advises against using gasoline that has an octane number of less than 87. Some engines require mid-grade gasoline and others require premium.
We have gone through all of them in detail.
Reformulated Gasoline
It’s one of the newer types of gasoline available in the market, specifically designed to have fewer carbon emissions compared to conventional gasoline. Although it’s not on the list of recommended fuels, you can, however, use RFG — it’s safe and wouldn’t cause damage to the engine.
This fuel is handy in areas that have strict emission requirements. However, people in regions with extreme pollution should have reformulated gasoline regardless – as it would help the environment by exposing it to fewer emissions, less smog, and most importantly, we get a better Air Quality Index.
Even though Chevys Owners Manual hasn’t specified whether or not you can use this type of fuel, you can have reformulated gas in your tank. On top of all the other measures, if you are worried about the emissions test, go for the RFG.
Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E-85
Blazer is not flex-fuel-appropriate. It would be best if you did not put anything with more than 15% ethanol, and E85 has 85% ethanol, which the manufacturer does not recommend. It’s advised against using the E85. This fuel is also known as Flex-fuel, and you are not allowed to put this fuel in your Chevy Blazer. If you do so, you will be damaging your engine components.
Flex-fuel contains 85% ethanol. Although it runs pretty clean in the engine, it has corrosive nature. Normal vehicles are not designed for flex-fuel. They are wonderful at running on regular gasoline. To know if a particular vehicle can run on E85, you can take a look at the gas cap. Or you can take a look at the gauge cluster. Sometimes it’s mentioned on the fuel gauge.
Gasoline With Added Materials
Chevy recommends the TOP TIER detergent gasoline additive, which will keep your internals clean and prevent carbon deposits. And it advised against using octane boosters additives. Octane boosters and other additives have methanol, ferrocene, aniline, and methylal, which damage the fuel lines.
These substances corrode the metal and even damage the rubber components, and these are the kind of damages that will not be covered in the warranty. If TOP TIER detergent gasoline is not available in your region, you can put ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus-Gasoline instead.
Gasoline With MMT
MMT stands for Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, which can severely damage your emission system as well as your spark plugs. It is advised against using these additives. Any damage caused by these additives will not be covered in the warranty.
Biodiesel
The Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) is very stable. For everyday driving where diesel might be sitting in the gas tank for about 4-6 weeks, it is advised to use not more than 5% by volume B5. Biodiesel, on the other hand, is not. However, if the fuel does not remain in the tank for more than four weeks, and you filling with fresh diesel, you may use biodiesel more than 5% by volume – up to 20%.
To keep the internals clean, Chevy recommends using TOP TIER Diesel Fuel to keep the carbon debris level as low as possible. You can find it here www.toptiergas.com. If you cant find this in your country, you can use ACDelco Diesel Fuel Conditioner instead. These additives enhance the diesel performance by making it more stable.
What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling
A very little knocking is not uncommon. Most of the engines will have a slight knocking sound which isn’t a big deal. But, if you hear a loud knocking noise sometime after refueling with 87 octane, you would have to put in high octane-rated gasoline. After running your engine for a while, if you still hear loud knocking, then your engine needs service.
Also read: The Oil Type, Weight, And Capacity Of A Chevy Blazer
Does the Chevy Blazer Have Good Gas Mileage?
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV First Generation 1969-1972
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 250 CID L22 Inline-6 | 15 | 17 |
| 292 CID L25 Inline-6 | 14 | 13 |
| 307 CID V8 | 11 | 13 |
| LS9 350 CID V8 | 10 | 14 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Second Generation 1973-1991
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 250 Inline-6 | 15 | 17 |
| 292 CID Inline-6 | 15 | 16 |
| V8 with four different options; viz, 305 CID, 307 CID, 350 CID, 400 CID | 9-11 | 13-15 |
| 6.2L Detroit Diesel LH6 V8 | 14 | 16 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Third Generation 1992-1994
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 5.7L 350 CID V8 | 11 | 15 |
| 6.5L Detroit Diesel Turbocharged V8 | 8 | 9 |
Full-Size Chevy Blazer SUV Fourth Generation 1995-1999
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 5.7L small-block V8 | 12 | 16 |
| 6.5L Detroit Diesel Turbocharged V8 | 8 | 9 |
Mid-size Chevy Blazer SUV First Generation 1983-1994
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 1.9L (1983-1985) | 23 | 28 |
| 2.0L OHV inline-4 (1983-1985) | 22 | 25 |
| 2.8L V6 (1989-1990) | 18 | 19 |
| Fuel-injected 2.5L inline-4 (Iron Duke) 1985-1989 | 21 | 25 |
| 4.3L V6 | 16 | 18 |
Mid-size Chevy Blazer SUV Second Generation 1995-2005
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| Vortec 4300 V6 | 11 | 13 |
Mid-size Chevy (Trail) Blazer SUV Third Generation 2002-2009
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 4.2L inline-6 DOHC Vortech 4200 | 16 | 19 |
| 5.3L V8 | 15 | 17 |
| 6.0L V8 | 13 | 15 |
| LS2 C6 Corvette engine (SS model) | 14 | 16 |
Mid-size Crossover Chevy Blazer SUV 2019-Present
| Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 2.5L Inline-4 Ecotec LCV | 25 | 29 |
| 3.6L V6 LGX | 22 | 27 |
| 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 LSY | 24 | 27 |
What’s The Gas Tank Size Of A Chevy Blazer?
Full Size SUV
| Generation | Tank Size |
| First Generation 1969-1972 | Standard – 25 gallons |
| Station Wagon – 22-gallons | |
| Second Generation 1973-1991 | Standard – Gas – 25 gallons |
| Standard – Diesel – 27 gallons | |
| NK7 Option – Gas – 31 gallons | |
| NK7 Option – Diesel – 32 gallons | |
| NE2 Option – Gas – 40 gallons | |
| NE2 Option – Diesel – 41 gallons | |
| Third Generation 1992-1994 | 20 gallons |
| Fourth Generation 1995-1999 | 2 door models – 20 gallons |
| 4 door models – 19 gallons |
Mid-Size SUV
| Generation | Tank Size |
| First Generation 1983-1994 | 20 gallons |
| Second Generation 1995-2005 | 20 gallons |
| Third Generation 2002-2009 | 18.7 gallons |
| Fourth Generation 2019-Present | Front Wheel Drive – 19.4 gallons |
| All Wheel Drive – 21.7 gallons |
How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up A Chevy Blazer
The most expensive place to fill up your tank is California, and the cheapest ones are Mississippi and Texas. In California, the price of a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.388, and the total cost to fill an empty 20-gallon tank is $87.76, while the same amount of gas will cost you $56.32 in Mississippi or Texas.
The prices vary according to your location and your vehicle’s trim level. So whichever state you are in, the cost to fill up a Chevy Blazer is somewhere between $55-$90. The prices also vary when you add the mid-grade or premium instead.
Sources
- https://www.carsforsale.com/car-reviews/chevrolet-blazer-overview/
- https://www.manualslib.com/products/Chevrolet-Impala-1969-3801053.html
- http://www.vadengmpp.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/1994-Chevrolet-Blazer.pdf
- https://my.gm.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/1995/chevrolet/blazer/1995_chevrolet_blazer_owners.pdf
- http://www.vadengmpp.com/owners-manual/chevrolet/1994-Chevrolet-Blazer.pdf
- https://my.gm.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2002/chevrolet/trailblazer/2002_chevrolet_trailblazer_owners.pdf
- https://my.chevrolet.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2021/chevrolet/blazer/2021-chevrolet-blazer-owners-manual.pdf
- https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/the-forgotten-inline-engine-gm-s-42-liter-atlas-i-6-ar174949.html
- https://www.drivingline.com/articles/gms-unkillable-iron-duke-engine-powered-dozens-of-trucks-cars-and-suvs-for-decades/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Duke_engine
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_60%C2%B0_V6_engine https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Fuel-Economy/1983/Chevrolet/S10-Blazer
Hi! My name is Stefan, I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, although I mainly focus on research-heavy articles. For the technical stuff, I find writers that have experience as a mechanic or have studied mechanical engineering.
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