2021 Polestar 1 Fuel
Emission controls
Three-way catalytic converter
- Keep your engine properly tuned. Certain engine malfunctions, particularly involving the electrical, fuel or distributor ignition systems, may cause unusually high three-way catalytic converter temperatures. Do not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of power or other unusual operating conditions, such as engine overheating or backfiring. A properly tuned engine will help avoid malfunctions that could damage the three-way catalytic converter.
- Do not park your vehicle over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves, which can come into contact with the hot exhaust system and cause such materials to ignite under certain wind and weather conditions.
- Excessive starter cranking (in excess of one minute), or an intermittently firing or flooded engine can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating.
- Remember that tampering or unauthorized modifications to the engine, the Engine Control Module, or the vehicle may be illegal and can cause three-way catalytic converter or exhaust system overheating. This includes: altering fuel injection settings or components, altering emission system components or location or removing components, and/or repeated use of leaded fuel.
Unleaded fuel is required for vehicles with three-way catalytic converters.
Heated oxygen sensors
The heated oxygen sensors monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust gases. Readings are fed into a control module that continuously monitors engine functions and controls fuel injection. The ratio of fuel to air into the engine is continuously adjusted for efficient combustion to help reduce harmful emissions.
Fuel
Deposit control gasoline (gasoline with detergent additives)
Detergent gasoline is effective in keeping injectors and intake valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good driveability and fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with the service station operator.
Polestar recommends not using external fuel injector cleaning systems, e.g. do not add detergent additives to gasoline before or after refueling.
Unleaded fuel
All Polestar vehicles have a three-way catalytic converter and must only use unleaded gasoline. US and Canadian regulations require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline are labeled “UNLEADED”. Only the nozzles of these pumps will fit in your vehicle’s fuel filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled “unleaded gasoline only”. Leaded gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline will lessen the effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty coverage. State and local vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in emission test failure for misfueled vehicles.
Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected, and the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator light) located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs, contact Polestar Customer Support.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers, “Oxygenated fuels”
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing “oxygenates” which are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require the use of “oxygenated” fuel.
Polestar permits the use of the following “oxygenated” fuels. However, the specified octane ratings must still be met.
Alcohol – Ethanol
Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as Ethyl alcohol, or “Gasohol”.
Ethers – MTBE/ETBE: Fuels containing up to 22% MTBE/ETBE by volume may be used.
Methanol
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Fuel gauge
- The fuel gauge in the instrument panel shows the fuel level in the tank.
- The beige area in the fuel gauge indicates the amount of fuel left in the tank.
When the fuel level is low and it is time to refuel, the fuel pump symbol will illuminate with an amber-colored light. The trip computer also indicates the approximate distance driven on the fuel remaining in the tank.
Octane rating
Minimum octane
Decals
Illustration 1: Sample fuel pump octane label.
Illustration 2: Decal on the inside of the fuel filler flap on vehicles that require premium fuel.
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
Polestar endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help maintain engine performance and reliability. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline meets a new standard jointly established by leading automotive manufactures to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines. Qualifying gasoline retailers (stations) will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met the “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” standards.
Information about TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is available at www.toptiergas.com.
When switching to higher octane fuel or changing gasoline brands, it may be necessary to fill the tank more than once before a difference in engine operation is noticeable.
Fuel Formulations
Do not use gasoline that contains lead or manganese as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the exhaust emission control systems on your vehicle, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions. These may include:
- standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling
- refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of the filler neck during refueling
- wearing neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.
Use of Additives
With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store-bought additives to your vehicle’s fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may damage your engine, and some of these additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
Never carry a cell phone that is switched on while refueling your vehicle. If the phone rings, this may cause a spark that could ignite gasoline fumes, resulting in fire and injury.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell exhaust inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated and contact Polestar Customer Support.
Demanding driving
In demanding driving conditions, such as when driving in hot weather or for prolonged periods at high altitudes, it may be a good idea to switch to a higher-octane fuel (AKI 91 or higher) or to switch to another brand of gasoline in order to fully utilize the vehicle’s engine capacity and optimize traction.