Jeep Cherokees have been trendy cars throughout the years. Mainly due to their crossover size and extensive capabilities, they offer the perfect package for somebody who’s not too keen on a large SUV but still needs the car to get through snow, rain, and mud. However, what kind of gas does this car need? Let’s have a look.
All Jeep Cherokees manufactured between 2013 – Present-day with a 2.0, 2.4, or 3.2L engine use regular gasoline with an octane level of 87. Some 2.4L engines are flexible fuel vehicles which means they can also run on E-85. Premium fuel is not recommended since it has no benefits over regular gasoline for the Cherokee.
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ll dive into the details of what kind of gas this crossover takes. We’ll talk about reformulated gasoline, E-85, and gasoline with additives. Should or shouldn’t you use this for the Cherokee? We’ll also talk about the fuel mileage of each generation as well as possible knocking noises and so much more. Read on!
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Also read: Oil Types, Weight And Capacity Of A Jeep Cherokee
Reformulated Gasoline
Reformulated gasoline is designed to burn more cleanly and reduce emissions, resulting in higher air quality in the region in which it’s used. There are several parts of the United States where reformulated gasoline is mandatory by state law. Jeep is a supporter of reformulated gasoline and advises you to make use of it in your Cherokee. All model years of the Cherokee and all engines of this car can use this gasoline.
E-85
Some Cherokees can run on E-85 or fuel that contains more Ethanol than 15% (E-15 or higher). Only some Cherokees with a 2.4L engine can use this fuel. These vehicles can be identified by a unique fuel filler door label that states Ethanol (E-85) or Unleaded Gasoline Only and a yellow fuel cap.
If a Non-Flexible Fuel Vehicle is inadvertently fueled with E-85 fuel, the engine will have some or all of these symptoms:
- Operate in a lean mode.
- OBD II Malfunction Indicator Light on.
- Poor engine performance.
- Poor cold start and cold drivability.
- Increased risk for fuel system component corrosion.
Engine Oils For E-85
If you own a Flexible Fuel Vehicle, then it’s recommended that you use specially formulated engine oils. MOPAR engine oils typically meet these requirements. You can also look for oils meeting the following Standard: FCA Material MS-6395. Furthermore, this oil should also be API Certified. These oils provide extra protection for the engine of these vehicles.
Starting
When temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C), the use of E-85 fuel is not recommended. If the temperature is between 0°F (-18°C) to 32°F (0°C), then it could be your engine takes longer to start running. The engine will also be more hesitant when driving until it’s fully warmed up.
Seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel may fix these problems and is therefore recommended. Using the engine block heater (if equipped) may improve the engine’s starting and driveability when the engine is still heating up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon/liter than gasoline, an increase in fuel consumption will be experienced. The miles per gallon (mpg)/kilometers per liter and the driving range will decrease by approximately 30%, compared to gasoline operation.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is an additive that’s added to some gasoline to increase octane levels. This is usually done in the sport of car racing. Adding MMT to your Jeep Cherokee is not recommended. Jeep states that MMT does not provide any benefit over fuel with an octane level of 87. Furthermore, adding MMT reduces spark plug life and emission system performance.
Materials Added To Fuel
Some gasoline contains added materials such as detergents, corrosion, and stability additives. The use of gas that has these additives is recommended. The use of these so-called Top Tier fuels reduces deposits in the engine and the rest of the fuel system. Jeep suggests you find a certified Top Tier retailer on toptiergas.com.
The use of cleaning agents or adding materials to fuel yourself is not recommended. Cleaning agents typically contain active solvents, which can reduce the lifespan of your fuel system significantly. Furthermore, adding materials yourself may also result in increased wear and tear.
CNG And LP Fuel Modifications
Jeep Cherokees are not designed to run on compressed natural gas or liquid propane. Modifying your Cherokee to run on these fuels will most likely result in damage to the system that’s not covered under the new vehicle warranty.
What If I Hear A Knocking Noise After Filling Up?
Hearing a slight knocking noise when using fuel with an octane level of 87 is not a problem. However, if the knocking becomes increasingly louder, you should stop the car from running and check what fuel you put into the car.
A very loud knocking noise should not occur with an octane level of 87, and it’s therefore likely that the fuel has a lower octane level than you thought. If you continue to drive with this loud knocking noise, this will result in engine damage not covered under warranty.
What Kind Of Gas Mileage Does A Cherokee Have?
Due to their compact crossover size, Cherokees tend to offer a pretty good balance between size and fuel mileage. Below we’ve outlined the fuel mileage for each generation and engine type for combined, city, and highway use.
2013 – 2018
| Engine | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 2.4 (E-85) | 18 | 15 | 22 |
| 2.4 | 25 | 21 | 30 |
| 3.2 | 22 | 19 | 26 |
2018 – Present-day
| Engine | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
| 2.0 | 26 | 23 | 31 |
| 2.4 | 24 | 21 | 29 |
| 3.2 | 22 | 19 | 27 |
What’s The Tank Size Of A Jeep Cherokee?
All 2013 – Present-day Jeep Cherokees with a 2.0, 2.4, or 3.2L engine have a tank size of 15.8 gallons or 60 liters.
How Much Does A Full Tank Cost?
On average, it costs $50.89 to fill up a Jeep Cherokee manufactured between 2013 – Present-day. Mississippi is the cheapest state to fill up the Cherokee, and a fuel tank costs $45.03. California is the most expensive state to fill up, and a full tank will cost $69.87 for the Cherokee.
Sources
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!