On this blog, we do a lot of research regarding specific questions about different cars. Today we’ll look at the Dodge Charger and answer what kind of gas this car requires. To find the answer, we’ve gone through the owners’ manuals of the Dodge Chargers that were produced in 2005. Here’s a quick answer:
Dodge Chargers built between 2005 – present with a 2.7L, 3.5L, 3,6L, or 5.7L engine are designed to use high-quality unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of 87. The 5.7L engines can also use gasoline with an octane rating of 89. Dodge does not recommend premium gasoline because it does not provide any benefit.
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we go into more detail about the kind of gas you should use for your specific type of Dodge Charger. We’ll also discuss if different types of gas are better or worse for the durability of your engine and its performance. Finally, we answer some other questions about the fuel requirements of the Charger. Read on!
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Also read: Oil Type, Capacity And Weight Of A Dodge Charger
Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type
2015 – present
The 2015 – present-day Dodge Charger with a 3.6L V6 is designed to use high-quality unleaded “regular” gasoline with an octane rating of 87. Premium gasoline is not recommended in the 3.6L V6 because it will not benefit regular gasoline. The 5.7L engine is designed to use high-quality unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 to 89. Dodge recommends the use of 89 octanes for optimum performance. Charger SRT 392’s and Hellcats with a 6.2L or 6.4L engine should use premium gasoline with an octane of 91.
Also read: Trim Levels Of Dodge Charger Explained
2010 – 2015
The 2010 – 2015 Dodge Charger with a 3.6L V6 is designed to use high-quality unleaded “regular” gasoline with an octane rating of 87. The 5.7L engine is designed to use high-quality unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 to 89. Dodge recommends the use of 89 octanes for optimum performance. Premium gasoline is not recommended because it will not provide any benefit over regular gasoline. The 6.4L engine in the SRT or SRT8 should use premium gasoline with an octane of 91.
2005 – 2010
The 2005 – 2010 Dodge Charger with a 2.7L V6 is designed to use high-quality unleaded “regular” gasoline with an octane rating of 87. The 3.5L and 5.7L engines are designed to use high-quality unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 to 89. Dodge recommends the use of 89 octanes for optimum performance. Premium gasoline is not recommended because it will not provide any benefit over regular gasoline. The 6.4L engine in the SRT8 should use premium gasoline with an octane of 91.
Also read: What’s The Difference Between A Charger Daytona And Scat Pack?
What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?
Besides regular/conventional gasoline, there’s a wide variety of types of gasoline that are available on the market today. For many of this gasoline, Dodge has indicated whether the Charger can have this kind of gas or not. Let’s take a look.
Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Dodge Charger
Reformulated Gasoline
Reformulated gasoline is a newer type of gasoline that is designed to burn more cleanly than conventional gasoline. This means it reduces smog-forming and has less toxic pollutants. RFG is specifically used in areas of the United States where air quality is a problem.
Dodge recommends the use of reformulated gasoline for all Dodge Chargers that were produced since 2005. According to Dodge, reformulated gasoline will provide excellent durability and performance of the 2.7L, 3.5L, 3,6L, and 5.7L engines and all their parts.
Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E-85
In many cases, fuel suppliers also provide oxygenated blends of gasoline. One of the most popular mixes is regular gasoline with ethanol. E-85 is a common example, where 85% of ethanol is mixed with 15% of regular gasoline. Cars that use this mixture normally have lower miles per gallon but reach higher horsepower and torque numbers.
Dodge strongly advises against using oxygenated gasoline blends with an ethanol percentage of 15% or higher in the Dodge Charger. E-15 to E-100 fuel and all numbers that fall in between are therefore not recommended. Using fuel with 15% or higher ethanol will result in the car driving in lean mode, poor drivability, a difficult cold start, check engine lights, and engine damage. It may also void the warranty of your car.
Furthermore, it’s good to know that Dodge indicates in the owner manual that they are okay with you using fuels with 10% ethanol in the 2005 – 2010 Charger. However, in the owners’ manuals of the 2010 – 2015 Charger, they state that using fuels with 10% ethanol is strongly advised against and shouldn’t be done. From 2015 onwards, they bumped this number up to 15% ethanol.
Gasoline With Added Materials
Some types of gasoline have added materials such as detergents, corrosion, and stability additives. This makes sure that the engine stays in its best condition while also providing the longest lifespan. Dodge recommends these so-called Top Tier fuels for all Dodge Chargers.
You can find a station that serves these types of gasoline at toptiergas.com.
Gasoline With MMT
Gasoline with MMT is prohibited in Federal and California reformulated gasoline because it reduces spark plug life and reduces emission system performance. Dodge recommends using gasoline without MMT for all generations of the Dodge Charger.
Please note that MMT levels are not always indicated on fuel pumps. If you want information about MMT, you should ask the supplier or the gas station.
Also read: Dodge Charger Transmission: Overview, Problems, Fluids
What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling?
In the owner’s manual of the American/Canadian-made Dodge Charger, it’s said that hearing a slight knocking sound from the engine is not a cause for concern and completely normal if you’ve used the right kind of fuel. If you hear a loud knocking noise, you have to stop the car immediately and visit a dealer. In this case, you’ve likely used gasoline with a lower octane number.
If you use gasoline with a lower octane number, this will intensify the knocking sound and cause the car to stall or hesitate when driving. Using this kind of fuel in your vehicle may void the New Vehicle Warranty.
Also read: 19 Common Problems Of A Dodge Charger
Does The Dodge Charger Have A Good Gas Mileage?
2015 – present
The 2015 – present-day Charger has a combined gas mileage between 19 – 23 MPG. In the city, the MPG drops to between 16 – 19, and on the highway, it increases to 25 – 30. The SRT 392 and Hellcat have a combined MPG of 15 – 18, which drops to 12 – 15 in the city and 21 – 24 on the highway.
Engine | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
3.6L | 23 | 19 | 30 |
3.6L w/ AWD | 21 | 18 | 27 |
5.7L | 19 | 16 | 25 |
6.2L | 15 | 12 | 21 |
6.4L | 18 | 15 | 24 |
2010 – 2015
The 2010 – 2015 Dodge Charger has a combined MPG of 18 – 23. In the city, this drops to 15 – 19, and on the highway, it increases to 24 – 30 MPG. The SRT8 has a combined MPG of 17, which drops to 14 in the city and increases to 23 on the highway.
Engine | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
3.6L w/ 5-speed | 21 | 18 | 27 |
3.6L w/ 8-speed | 23 | 19 | 30 |
5.7L | 18 | 15 | 24 |
6.4L | 17 | 14 | 23 |
2005 – 2010
The 2005 – 2010 Dodge Charger has a combined MPG of 19 – 21, which drops to 16 – 18 MPG in the city and increases to 25 – 26 MPG. The SRT8 has a combined MPG of 15, which drops to 13 in the city and increases to 19 MPG on the highway.
Engine | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG |
2.7L | 21 | 18 | 26 |
3.5L | 20 | 17 | 25 |
5.7L | 19 | 16 | 25 |
6.4L | 15 | 13 | 19 |
What’s The Gas Tank Size Of A Dodge Charger?
Dodge Charger from 2005 – 2010 has an 18-gallon tank size with a 2.7L engine and 3.5L engine without AWD. The 3.5L with AWD and 5.7L engine has a 19-gallon tank size. All 2010 – 2015 Chargers have a 19-gallon tank size, and all Chargers from 2015 onwards have 18.5-gallon tank size.
Also read: What’s The Towing Capacity Of A Dodge Charger?
How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up A Dodge Charger?
On average, it will cost $58,20 to fill up a Dodge Charger with an 18.5-gallon tank, and that was produced from 2015 onwards. Mississippi is the cheapest state to fill up a Dodge Charger as it will cost $51,26 for a full tank. California is the most expensive state to fill up, with an average of $81,25 per full tank.
Source
- Dodge Charger 2009 Owners Manual
- Dodge Charger 2014 Owners Manual
- Dodge Charger 2021 Owners Manual
- Toptiergas.com
- AAAGas.com
- Fueleconomy.gov/Charger2009
- Fueleconomy.gov/Charger2013
- Fueleconomy.gov/Charger2021
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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