2011 Chevrolet Volt has knock sensor, can run on regular gas

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet

When General Motors announced the pricing for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt last week at the Plug-in 2010 Conference, there was one new technical tidbit that came out and grabbed some attention. Vehicle line director Tony Posawatz may have been the first to mention to the press that the range-extending engine in the Volt had been calibrated to run on premium gasoline.

There has been some question about what happens if you put regular gas in the tank and whether that would damage the engine. GM powertrain spokesman Tom Read confirmed to AutoblogGreen that the Volt’s 1.4-liter inline-four is equipped with a block-mounted knock sensor like virtually every other modern engine. The engine is calibrated for premium with extra spark advance to optimize the efficiency and output of the engine. If regular gas is used, the knock sensor will adjust the spark advance to prevent engine damage. Premium gas also reportedly has a longer shelf life than regular, which could be an issue for Volt drivers who maximize their plug-in’s electric capability by using as little gasoline as possible.

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Facebook, General Motors]

2011 Chevrolet Volt has knock sensor, can run on regular gas originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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