The Types Of Gas A Honda HR-V Takes (Explained)

Today, we will tackle the gas questions posed to us regarding the Honda HR-V. Our team here takes a broad approach to answer any posed questions. What type of gas a particular vehicle would take is a very simple-sounding question, but there are subtle complications that we are going to deal with. Before we dive deep into the details, here’s a quick overview:

All Honda HR-Vs can run on regular unleaded gasoline with an octane of 87 or higher. E85 can not be used in any variants; however, ethanol is allowed up to 15%, and methanol is not allowed. The only additive recommended by Honda is TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, and all the other additives in the market are advised against.

It is just the tip of the fuel berg; there are many misconceptions revolving around the additive world, and many additives do more harm than good. In this article, we will debunk all the myths and theories about these additives. Furthermore, we will give the mpg numbers of all the trim levels according to their engine.

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Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type

Honda HR-V has been around for almost two decades now, but the US market did not see its earlier forms. One of the most popular forms known in the US would be the third-gen model, the Honda Vezel. The US market only gets a 1.8L inline-4 while plenty of options are available worldwide.

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Honda HR-V

Third Gen Honda HR-V (2016-2018)

Engine	Fuel Requirement
1.5L inline-4	Regular 87 Octane or higher
1.8L inline-4	Regular 87 Octane or higher

Fourth Gen Honda HR-V (2018-2021)

Engine	Fuel Requirement
1.5L inline-4	Regular 87 Octane or higher
1.8L inline-4	Regular 87 Octane or higher
Sport 1.5L inline-4 Turbo	Minimum 87 Octane, mid-grade 91 Octane preferred
1.5L Hybrid	Regular 87 Octane or higher

Fifth Gen Honda HR-V (2021-Present)

Engine	Fuel Requirement
1.8L inline-4	Regular 87 Octane or higher
1.5L inline-4 Hybrid	Regular 87 Octane or higher

What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?

Reformulated Gasoline

Reformulated type of gasoline is like regular gasoline but cleaner. This type of gasoline is encouraged by all automotive manufacturers, including Honda. Conventional gasoline emits toxic gases into the environment, while reformulated gasoline emits much less.

To save the environment and have your engine run cleaner, it is best to use reformulated gasoline. Another benefit of using this type of gas is that you will be able to pass the emissions test much more easily compared to when you are running on conventional gas.

Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E-85

There are plenty of oxygenated blends available in the market; E85 is one of them. E85 does not mean that it is 85 octane; it has 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline. The ethanol is only allowed up to 15% in your Honda HR-V, and any percentage above will cause engine damage. Methanol, on the other hand, is not allowed.

Gasoline With Added Materials

There are hundreds of aftermarket fuel additives available and are marketed to be the best for your engine’s performance but are harmful– not only for your engine but also for the environment as well.

The first one we will go through is the MMT. This additive is used in race fuels and is suitable for race engines only. Even though the VTEC engines are sporty, MMT is not suitable. It will damage the emissions control system along with your spark plugs. Honda advises not to use this additive at all.

Honda says that the use of additives will adversely affect the performance of your engine. And this includes the octane boosters as well. The only additive Honda recommends— is the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline available at the dealerships. Other than this additive, it is best to avoid all other additives out there lest you will damage your engine.

MTBE is usually allowed up to 10% in most vehicles, but Honda does not talk about this additive in their owner’s manual, which means that you should not be putting it in your Honda HR-V.

Gasoline With MMT

MMT is a manganese-based additive and is not allowed by Honda. This additive is only used in race fuels and is suitable for race engines. But if you put it in your HR-V, it will impair your emissions system and damage your spark plugs. Therefore, the damage is much greater than the benefit, so you shouldn’t use fuel containing MMT.

Biodiesel

Diesel variants are available but not in the US market. Biodiesel can only be used in diesel variants, so please don’t put this in your gas engine — It will not work out.

Also read: This Is Where The Honda HR-V Is Made

What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling?

Knocking sound is one of the most common sounds you will hear from any vehicle when the fuel quality is not up to the mark. The VTEC engines, with their variable valve timings, won’t give you much trouble with a lower octane fuel, and it is nothing to worry about when you hear a slight knocking sound.

However, hearing a loud knocking after a refill is most likely due to the low octane/low-quality fuel. You can remedy this issue by putting a higher octane gas than you have previously placed in your fuel tank. If the sound does not go away even after using higher octane-rated gas, your engine needs service.

This knocking phenomenon occurs due to your ECU not realizing that the fuel is burning prematurely. When the fuel is burnt prematurely, the firing order of the cylinders experience that disturbance of unwanted pressure generated by that premature burning of fuel; therefore, you hear that metallic sound.

If knocking is left unchecked for a prolonged period, it can seriously damage your engine components. Honda recommends you to go to a certified dealership if you experience this loud knocking noise.

Does the Honda HR-V Have Good Gas Mileage?

According to our research, Honda HR-V does quite well in fuel economy. While it may not beat other Honda vehicles like the Accord or Fit it holds its own against similar-sized vehicles like the Odyssey.

Third Gen Honda HR-V (2014-2018)

The US market received the 2016 Honda HR-V. There are two different types of transmissions; 6-speed manual transmission and CVT.

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
1.8L inline-4	29	31
1.5L inline-4	30	32

Fourth Gen Honda HR-V (2018-2021)

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
1.5L inline-4	34	36
1.8L inline-4	27	31
Sport 1.5L inline-4 Turbo	28	24
1.5L Hybrid	41	48

Fifth Gen Honda HR-V (2021-Present)

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
1.5L inline-4 Hybrid	41	48
1.8L inline-4	28	34

What’s The Gas Tank Size Of Honda HR-V?

All these generations available in the market will have the same sized gas tank, 13.2 gallons.

Generations	Fuel tank Size
Third Gen Honda HR-V	13.2 gallons
Fourth Gen Honda HR-V	13.2 gallons
Fifth Gen Honda HR-V	13.2 gallons

How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up A Honda HR-V?

The cost for one full tank of gas varies from state to state. Some states in the US have lower prices per gallon.

In contrast, some others are ridiculously high such as California, where one gallon of regular 87 Octane costs $4.837 when writing this article. Since the prices have continuously been going up, chances are, when you read this, the price is even higher. [SIGH]

If you happen to be in California, one full tank of gas in your Honda HR-V is going to cost you close to $65. And if you are lucky and you happen to live in Arkansas, you will be paying the least price per gallon, $3.243— which makes a total of $42.8 for a full tank of gas. It means that wherever you live, you will have to pay somewhere between $40 and $65.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HondaHR-V
• https://www.autoevolution.com/honda/hr-v-5-doors/
• https://www.edmunds.com/honda/hr-v/
• https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/hr-v-2022
• https://www.manualslib.com/manual/976193/Honda-2016-Hr-V.html
• https://carmanuals2.com/honda/hr-v-2020-owner-s-manual-114581
• https://www.fuelly.com/car/honda/hr-v
• https://gasprices.aaa.com/