We’ve written extensively about the Chrysler Pacifica, its capabilities, and various features on this blog whether that’s certain Pacific issues you might face, or this car’s towing capacity.
Today, we will talk about what fuel this minivan needs and what kind of fuels are strictly prohibited. Let’s start with a quick answer:
Chrysler Pacificas manufactured between 2004 – 2008 take regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 – 89. For this model year, 89 octane is recommended for optimum performance. For the 2017 – Present-day model years, regular unleaded gasoline with an octane of 87 is recommended.
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ve outlined recommendations and requirements for different kinds of fuels and fuel additives. We’ll also go into detail about the compatibility of the Pacifica with oxygenated blends. Furthermore, we discuss the tank size of these generations. Read on!
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Premium Gasoline
As mentioned in the statement above, Chrysler Pacificas are designed to use regular unleaded gasoline. However, some people wonder whether or not premium gasoline is still not a better option. Premium gasoline is the gasoline that has an octane rating of 91 or higher.
We want to clarify that using this kind of gasoline for your Pacifica does not have any benefit over regular gasoline. Not in terms of economy, performance, or durability of the engine and its components. The same can be said for the Chrysler 200 as well as the Chrysler 300.
The reason for this is that only engines that are designed to use higher octane fuels are capable of extracting performance benefits from them.
Reformulated Gasoline
Reformulated gasoline is another form of gasoline that you will come across in the United States. Reformulated gasoline is the gasoline that’s designed to burn more cleanly and is, therefore, less harmful to the air quality in the region. In some areas of the United States, this gasoline is mandatory by state law. One of the most noticeable states is California.
It’s good to know that the Chrysler Pacifica is designed to be compatible with reformulated gasoline. Chrysler recommends the use of reformulated gasoline whenever it’s available.
This gasoline does not have any adverse effects on your engine, and has the same fuel economy as non-reformulated gasoline, but will still provide cleaner air than the alternative.
Oxygenated Blends Such as E-85
Some fuels are oxygenated, especially in regions where temperatures tend to drop during wintertime. Oxygenated fuels are fuels that contain some percentage of methanol or ethanol.
First of all, it’s good to know that methanol should never be used in the Chrysler Pacifica. This statement holds true for both the first and second-generation Pacifica.
Ethanol, on the other hand, is a different story. The first generation of the Chrysler Pacifica (manufactured between 2004 – 2008) can use ethanol with a maximum percentage of 10% ethanol. E-15 and E-85 are not an option because they contain 15% or 85% ethanol, respectively.
The second generation of the Chrysler Pacifica manufactured between 2017 – Present-day can use ethanol with a maximum percentage of 15% ethanol. E-10 and E-15 are therefore an option, but E-85 is not.
E-85 can only be used in so-called FlexFuel vehicles. Filling up the Pacifica with E-85 will most likely result in severe damage to the engine and the fuel system. Also, the following symptoms will occur:
- Operate in a lean mode
- OBD II Malfunction Indicator Light on
- Poor engine performance
- Poor cold start and cold drivability
Suppose the Pacifica is accidentally filled with fuel that has more ethanol than what’s acceptable. The car will need to be drained from the fuel, and the fuel filter will need to be replaced. It’s also a good idea to disconnect and reconnect the car’s battery to reset the memory of the vehicle.
Gasoline With Additives
Some chemicals are available on the aftermarket that supposedly improves the quality of the fuel you’re using. These fuel additives are common. However, is it advised to use them for the Pacifica? The answer to that is no. Chrysler actively recommends against the use of fuel additives to the fuel of the Pacifica.
The reason for this is that some fuel additives contain harmful materials such as silicon and metallics. These materials will damage the engine and increase the amount of deposits in the engine and the fuel system.
Instead, it’s advised you buy gasoline from certified TOP TIER gasoline retailers. These retailers can be found on toptiergas.com. These retailers sell gas that already has all the suitable additives mixed into it and that already clean the engine as much as possible.
CNG And LP Modifications
Some companies offer the possibility of converting the Pacifica into a vehicle capable of using CNG or LP. Chrysler strongly advises against converting your vehicle in this way. Doing so will void the warranty of the car completely.
Fuel Tank Size Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Pacificas manufactured between 2004 – 2008 have a fuel tank size of 23 gallons (87 liters), whereas Chrysler Pacificas manufactured between 2017 – Present-day have a fuel tank size of 19 gallons (71 liters), a little smaller than the 20-gallon tanks of the 2016 Town and Country.
Closing Thoughts
By navigating the labyrinth of fuel types and options for your Chrysler Pacifica, we have examined everything from unleaded gasoline with different octane ratings to the potential use of E-85.
We’ve highlighted the importance of choosing the right fuel for your truck and how that can significantly influence its performance and lifespan.
And for those of you looking to switch up your wheels, we may want to check our in-depth article on “The Exact Bolt Pattern Chrysler Pacifica“ or if you want to know more about this subject when it comes to all Chrysler vehicles we also got you covered!
In conclusion, understanding the fuel requirements of your Chrysler Pacifica is a start, but being familiar with the other aspects of your vehicle’s fuel system ensures you stay ahead of potential issues.
Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s performance. Happy driving!
Sources
- https://carmanuals2.com/get/chrysler-pacifica-2007-owner-s-manual-31271
- https://carmanuals2.com/get/chrysler-pacifica-2021-owner-s-manual-116590
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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