Today, our team here at The Driveradviser is looking at all the fuel-related aspects of a Hyundai Accent. In this blog, we will go through models spanning twenty years and see every particular model and its fuel requirements. We will also be looking at their miles per gallon data and will present it to you in the form of generations to make it look simple. Before we go into each of its details, here’s a quick summary:
All trim levels of Hyundai Accent require a minimum of 87 octane/pump gas. E85/Flex Fuel is not allowed in any trim levels; however, E10 can be used whereas E15 is only permitted in fifth-generation Hyundai Accent models. No additive is recommended except for the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. MTBE is allowed up to 15% by volume.
This summary is just the tip of the iceberg of gasoline. There is plenty of other stuff floating around that is not easy to grasp. So many misconceptions are out there regarding the fuel additives, knocking sound, higher octane fuels, etc. We will debunk all the myths and clear all the misunderstandings.
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Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type
Hyundai Accent has only offered one engine per generation with a few variations to its transmissions, making it easier to understand all the fuel-related questions.
Second-Generation Hyundai Accent (1999-2004)
Engine | Fuel Requirement |
1.5L Inline-4 | Regular 87 Octane |
Third Generation Hyundai Accent (2005-2009)
Engine | Fuel Requirement |
1.6L Inline-4 | Regular 87 Octane |
Fourth Generation Hyundai Accent (2010-2016)
Engine | Fuel Requirement |
1.6L Inline-4 | Regular 87 Octane |
Fifth Generation Hyundai Accent (2017-Present)
Engine | Fuel Requirement |
1.6L Inline-4 | Regular 87 Octane |
What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?
Reformulated Gasoline
After the 1990 clean air act amendment, the urgency of having clean-burning fuels rose. To save the environment, the manufacturers came up with reformulated gasoline which burns cleaner; therefore, you have fewer toxicants polluting the air. It is a consensus between all the manufacturers that the owners should use the reformulated type of gasoline in their vehicles.
If you are worried that you won’t pass the emissions test, reformulated gasoline will help you a little. On a broader scale, reformulated gasoline will help save our declining environment. So make sure that your vehicle, whether it’s a Hyundai Accent, Santa Fe, or some other model, is not emitting toxic chemicals into the air we breathe and give the gift of clean air to the upcoming generations.
Also read: Hyundai Accent Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids
Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E85
Methanol should not be used at all. The oxygenate blend is allowed up to 10%, while the MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) can be used up to 15%. E15 and E85 are advised against for the Hyundai Elantra, Accent, and other Hyundai models and should not be used in any circumstances. These fuels will cause emissions control system damage and thus will void your warranty.
Hyundai Accents of the fifth generation increased the limit of oxygenates from 10% to 15%, not more than that.
Gasoline With Added Materials
Hyundai advises against using any additives other than detergent fuel additives. It recommends using the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline as it helps prevent the deposition of carbon debris. These additives will help run your engine better and cleaner while keeping the emissions control system happy.
No other additive is allowed to be used in your Hyundai Accent, not even aftermarket octane boosters.
Gasoline With MMT
Hyundai does not recommend using MMT in any case scenario. It is a manganese-based fuel additive only used in race fuels designed explicitly for race engines, so it’s best not to use it in your Hyundai Accent.
Not only will it release toxic air pollutants, but it will also damage the emissions control system. Apart from all of these drawbacks, your spark plugs will go to heaven sooner than they are supposed to. Not a single manufacturer recommends using this additive in any production vehicles.
Biodiesel
There are no diesel offerings in the Hyundai Accent lineup.
Also read: How Many Miles Can A Hyundai Accent Last? (Answered)
What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling?
A faint knocking sound is typical and is nothing to worry about. If you start hearing a spark/knocking sound after you refill your gas tank, it might be because of poor quality fuel. You can remedy this knock by adding high-quality fuel, i.e., mid-grade with 91 Octane or premium grade with 93 Octane.
If the problem persists in any vehicle, even after using high-quality fuel, your engine might need service. It’s better to have your vehicle inspected in case of loud knocking.
Prolonged knocking can cause engine damage which can be prevented by taking early action. Hyundai recommends that you take your Accent to a certified dealership and inspect it.
Knocking happens due to the premature burning of fuel. The higher octane helps reduce the knocking as it resists early burning. The higher the octane, the more it resists premature burning. Lower octane fuels disturb the rhythm of the firing cylinders by causing ignition at the wrong time; therefore, you hear that pinging noise/knocking.
Does the Hyundai Accent Have Good Gas Mileage?
Hyundai Accent has an okay mpg rating. There are competitors in this segment that gives better mpg numbers. The above-average would be the latest Hyundai Accent. So if you are looking for a Hyundai Accent that will provide you with good gas mileage, your best bet would be to go with the latest model.
As all the generations have only one engine offering with different transmission setup, you can decide which type of transmission you prefer. The manual ones offer better fuel economy compared to the automatic ones.
Second Generation Hyundai Accent (1999-2004)
Engine | Lowest Combined MPG | Highest Combined MPG |
1.5L inline-4 Automatic | 23 | 33 |
1.5L inline-4 Manual | 24 | 34 |
Third Generation Hyundai Accent (2005-2009)
Engine | Lowest Combined MPG | Highest Combined MPG |
1.6L inline-4 Automatic | 25 | 33 |
1.6L inline-4 Manual | 27 | 32 |
Fourth Generation Hyundai Accent (2010-2016)
Engine | Lowest Combined MPG | Highest Combined MPG |
1.6L inline-4 Automatic | 26 | 36 |
1.6L inline-4 Manual | 27 | 37 |
Fifth Generation Hyundai Accent (2017-Present)
Engine | Lowest Combined MPG | Highest Combined MPG |
1.6L inline-4 Automatic (Variable gear ratios) | 33 | 41 |
1.6L inline-4 Automatic (S6) | 26 | 36 |
1.6L inline-4 Manual | 29 | 39 |
What’s The Gas Tank Size Of Hyundai Accent?
This section will look at the available gas tank sizes in a Hyundai Accent. When we know how much fuel a gas tank can hold, we will calculate the cost of fuel for a full tank of gas.
Hyundai Accent, manufactured between 1999 – 2009 and from 2017 onwards, have a fuel tank size of 11.9 gallons. Hyundai Accent, manufactured between 2010 – 2016, have a fuel tank size of 11.4 gallons.
How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up A Hyundai Accent?
The funny thing about the US, each state has its own gas price. And if you are lucky to be in a state where one gallon does not cost about four and a half bones, at least understand the pain of those who live in California, where one gallon costs $4.680 at the time of writing this article.
If you happen to have the 11.9-gallon gas tank and live in California, you would have to spend about $56 for a full gas tank. But with the constant increase in gas prices, you might have to pay much higher than this. And it is very likely that by the time you read this article, the prices are already higher than this.
On the other hand, Texas has the lowest price per gallon, at $3.106, which means you have to spend about $35 if you happen to have the 11.4-gallon gas tank. All the remaining states are between these two. So wherever you are, the price you pay for a full tank of Hyundai Accent will lie between the cost of these two — $35-$56 for a full tank of gas.
Sources
- https://www.fueleconomy.gov/
- https://carmanuals2.com/hyundai/accent-2005-owner-s-manual-33508
- https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/hyundai/2021-accent.pdf
- https://ownersmanuals2.com/hyundai/accent-2008-owners-manual-33987
- https://carmanuals2.com/hyundai/accent-2015-owner-s-manual-33517
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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