Types Of Gas A Buick Envision Takes (All Generations)

Writing about Buick is almost a daily practice on this blog. Today we will look at what type of gas best suits the Buick Envision. The American-made Envision was launched in 2016 in the United States and is still made to this day. However, the Envision is available in multiple engine configurations, so it can be confusing what type of gas it needs. Here’s a quick answer:

Buick Envision, made between 2016 – 2020 with a 2.5L engine, take regular, unleaded 87-octane gasoline. Envisions of the same model years with a 2.0L engine take premium, unleaded 93-octane gasoline. The current generation of the Envision, made from 2021 onwards, takes 87-octane regular, unleaded gasoline.

However, this doesn’t tell us the whole story. The article below will discuss what kind of gasoline is used for what engine. Furthermore, we’ll discuss different additives that can and can’t be used, what percentage of ethanol is acceptable, and the gas tank size of the different Envision generations. Read on!

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Does The Buick Envision Require Premium Gas?

As said in our introduction, the first generation of the Buick Envision takes 87-octane gasoline for the 2.5L LCV Inline-4 engine, but it uses 93-octane if the Envision has a 2.0L LTG turbo inline-4 engine.

This is because the 2.0L engine is turbocharged, and it´s very typical for turbocharged engines to use premium gasoline. This is because these engines are designed to derive performance and lifespan benefits from the higher octane levels.

However, it´s essential to know that the 2.0L engine can temporarily take gasoline with an octane rating as low as 87. Please remember that it´s only advised to do this whenever premium gasoline is unavailable. Furthermore, it will result in lower performance.

The current generation of the Envision, which has a 2.0L LSY turbocharged inline-4 engine, has 87-octane recommended. This is a surprise, given that the engine is turbocharged, but it´s not entirely unusual.

Furthermore, Buick doesn´t mention anything about premium gasoline for this engine, implying that using 91-octane or higher won´t result in any benefits whatsoever.

If you’re interested in the different gasoline requirements for all Buicks, please read the article we just linked.

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

Reformulated Gasoline

First, we need to discuss the use of reformulated and non-reformulated gasoline. Reformulated gasoline is gasoline that is designed to burn cleaner than non-reformulated gasoline. For this reason, it has become widely popular in many regions of the United States, and it has even become mandatory in many states to use this fuel.

Therefore, it’s good to know that all engine configurations in the Buick Envision are designed to take reformulated and non-reformulated gasoline. Consequently, you don’t have to worry about what gasoline you put in your engine (at least not for this criterion).

However, we have to say that Buick recommends using reformulated gasoline whenever possible, including other models including the Buick Enclave. Like other carmakers, Buick realizes that this gasoline type is better for the environment.

Furthermore, this type of gasoline doesn’t diminish the performance of your engine in any way, shape, or form, and it also carries the same price as non-reformulated gasoline.

Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E-85

Secondly, we have to talk about using oxygenated blends of gasoline in the Buick Envision. Oxygenated blends of gasoline consist of regular gasoline mixed with ethanol or methanol. Ethanol and methanol are both made from bio sources, and, therefore, they burn cleaner. However, not every car is compatible with these kinds of oxygenates.

All model years of the Envision can take gasoline with a maximum of 15% ethanol. Therefore, the Envision is compatible with E10 (10%) or E15 (15%). However, this also means that E30, E50, and E85 (with the latter known as flex-fuel) cannot be used, resulting in engine and fuel system damage.

Furthermore, using methanol is strictly forbidden, and doing so will also damage the engine and fuel system severely.

Gasoline With Added Materials

Furthermore, we need to talk about gasoline with added materials. Typically, these additives are advertised as octane boosters or fuel system cleaners. However, these types of additives can do more harm than good, as explained in the 2022 owners manual of the Envision:

(Do not use) fuel with any amount of methanol, methylal, ferrocene, and aniline. These fuels can corrode metal fuel system parts or damage plastic and rubber parts. (Do also not use) fuel containing metals such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), which can damage the emissions control system and spark plugs

Source, 2022 manual

Instead of using additives, Buick recommends using gasoline with all the proper additives mixed into it. Typically, this type of gasoline is sold by TOP TIER retailers, and it’s highly recommended that you use it to keep your engine in optimum condition. Find a TOP TIER retailer in your area at toptiergas.com.

If TOP TIER gasoline is unavailable in your region, Buick advises using ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plug every 9.000 miles (15.000 kilometers). This is an additive you can buy from certified Buick and GM dealers.

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

Hearing a slight knocking coming from the engine is an entirely regular occurrence. Especially when the car is performing at peak levels, such as when you’re towing with your Buick Envision, a slight knocking sound can be heard. However, if this knocking sound becomes very audible and happens right after refilling, you may have more significant problems.

First off, in this case, you’re likely using gasoline with a lower-than-recommended octane rating. For example, in the Buick Envision, we would talk about gasoline with an octane rating lower than 87. This will almost always result in an engine knock.

This knocking noise tells you the engine is misfiring because it can’t handle the octane level used. This will be the case if you use lower-than-recommended octane-level gasoline. It’s best to stop your car immediately and call your dealer or garage. Your car will need to be drained from its fuel, and the fuel filter will need to be replaced. Continuing to drive will result in severe engine damage.

What’s The Fuel Economy Of The Envision?

For a compact SUV, the fuel economy of the Envision has never been great. One of the reasons for this is that Buick has always used turbocharged engines, and none of them have ever been a hybrid. Below, we´ve outlined the MPGs you can expect for different engine configurations.

Second Generation (2021 – Present)

First Generation (2016 – 2020)

What’s The Gas Tank Size Of The Buick Envision?

• Buick Envisions made between 2016 – 2020 have a fuel tank capacity of 17.3 gallons (65.5 liters).
• Buick Envisions, from 2021 onwards, have a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons (60.2 liters) for the FWD versions and 16.1 gallons (60.9 liters) for the AWD versions.

Sources

• https://my.gm.ca/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/GMCC/dynamic/2019/buick/Envision/en/2019-buick-envision-owners-manual-english.pdf
• https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/buick/2022-envision.pdf
• https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/search.shtml?words=buick+envision

Stefan K.

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.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!