Types Of Gas A Nissan Versa Takes (All Generations)

On this blog, we extensively research your queries about various automobiles. Today, we’ll look at the Nissan Versa and see what kind of gasoline it needs. We looked through the owners’ manuals from 2006 onwards to find the answer. Here is a quick response:

All generations of the Nissan Versa manufactured from 2006 onwards take regular, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.

Using the right fuel is essential to get the best performance of your car. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Below, we will detail what kind of gasoline should and shouldn’t be used in the Versa. Furthermore, we´ll discuss this car’s fuel tank capacity and gas mileage. Read on!

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Infograhpic explaining the different fuel types for a Nissan Versa.

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Fuel Requirements Based on Engine Type

First of all we have to clarify that the 87 octane recommendation goes for all generation, and all engine types, of the Nissan Versa that were ever manufactured in the North-American market.

However, sometimes people believe that using 91 octane gasoline (also referred to as premium gasoline) is a better way to go because it would improve performance and the lifespan of your engine. However, this is not true.

The use of premium gasoline won´t hurt your Nissan Versa in any way. However, the Nissan Versa is not designed to derive any benefits from premium gasoline. For this reason, you will only pay more instead of getting actual use from premium gasoline. For this reason, it´s recommended you opt for 87 octane gasoline at all times.

What Type of Gasoline Can A Nissan Versa Take?

Furthermore, different types of gasoline are and aren´t appropriate to use in your Versa. Below, we´ve outlined all these types so you know exactly what can and can´t be used.

Reformulated Gasoline

First, we have to talk about the use of reformulated gasoline. This is a type of gasoline that burns cleaner than non-reformulated gasoline. For this reason, it´s mandatory to use in some regions of the United States.

As with many Nissan vehicles, whether we’re talking about the Nissan Titan, or Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versas can run on reformulated gasoline just fine. If you have the choice between these two types of gasoline, it´s best to go with reformulated gasoline since it doesn´t cost anything extra but does help the environment and the air quality in your region.

Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends or E-85

We also have to discuss the use of oxygenated blends of gasoline. These types of gasoline contain oxygenates, typically in the form of ethanol or methanol, which are mixed into regular gasoline. These oxygenates are generally made from bio-sources meaning they burn cleaner and are cheaper to make.

However, the use of methanol and ethanol in the Nissan Versa is strictly regulated. This is what Nissan has to say about the use of methanol in all generations of the Nissan Versa:

If a methanol blend is used, it should contain no more than 5% methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It should also contain a suitable amount of appropriate cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors. If not properly formulated with appropriate cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors, such methanol blends may cause fuel system damage and/or vehicle performance problems. At this time, sufficient data is not available to ensure that all methanol blends are suitable for use in NISSAN vehicles.
Source, 2022 owners manual (and all other manuals of the Nissan Versa)

On the other hand, the use of ethanol is accepted in the Nissan Versa. Nissan Versa manufactured between 2007 – 2018 can take gasoline with a maximum of 10% ethanol (also referred to as E10). From Between 2019 – 2021, the Versa could take gasoline with a maximum of 15% ethanol (referred to as E15).

However, in the 2022 owners manual we found that this model year of the Versa can only take 10% ethanol again. Whether this is a typo is something that´s unclear because it´s very unusual for cars to not be able to take 15% ethanol these days.

This also means that no generation of the Versa can take E30, E50 or E85 (with E85 also being referred to as flex-fuel). The use of higher concentrations of ethanol will lead to severe engine and fuel system damage.

Addition of Cleaning Agents

The use of cleaning agents or octane boosters is something that you´ll hear about from time to time. Therefore, it´s good to know that Nissan recommends against the use of aftermarket cleaning agents or octane boosters. This is because aftermarket cleaning agents often use silicones or metallics that will damage your engine’s fuel system and the internals.

Instead, Nissan recommends the use of TOP TIER gasoline. TOP TIER retailers sell this type of gasoline. This group of retailers is an alliance that provides gasoline that contains all the suitable cleaning agents your car needs and in a larger quantity than what´s stated by law. You can find a TOP TIER gasoline retailer at toptiergas.com.

What If The Engine Makes A Knocking Noise?

If you hear a knocking noise coming from your engine, then it´s most likely the case you´ve used gasoline with a lower than recommended octane rating. Also, you could have used gasoline with a higher-than-recommended percentage of ethanol.

You must stop the vehicle immediately and call your dealer or mechanic if you hear a loud knocking noise from your engine, especially right after refilling. Your car needs to be towed away and drained from its gasoline, and your fuel filter will also need to be replaced.

Continuing to drive with a loud knocking noise will result in irreparable damage that is not covered by any warranty.

What’s The Gas Mileage Of The Nissan Versa?

One strong point of the Versa is it´s gas mileage. It´s not extraordinary, especially in a world where hybrids and PHEVs get increasingly more popular, but it does a good job for a gasoline only vehicle.

Third Generation (2019 – Present)

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
1.6	30	27	35

Second Generation (2012 – 2019)

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
1.6	34	31	39

First Generation (2006 – 2011)

Engine	Combined MPG	City MPG	Highway MPG
1.6	28	26	33
1.8	29	27	33

What Is The Tank Size Of A Nissan Versa?

The 2007 model years of the Nissan Versa has a fuel tank capacity of 13 7/8 gallons or 52.4 liters.
The 2008 – 2011 Nissan Versa had a fuel tank capacity of 13 1/4 gallons or 50 liters.
Nissan Versa made from 2012 onwards have a fuel tank capacity of 10 7/8 gallons or 41 liters.

Sources

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!

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