The make, model, and type of engine in the GMC Sierra determines what kind of gas will be used. Gasoline is what makes the engine run at all times. Many heavy-duty engines make use of premium gas.
Premium fuel has always been used to reduce engine knock but not all vehicles in the GMC Sierra brand require premium gas. So, what kind of gas does a GMC Sierra take?
GMC Sierra can use 87 or higher octane-rated gasoline but if the GMC Sierra is the type that comes with a 6.2 Liter engine, then, a premium 93 octane-rated gasoline is recommended to run better.
The GMC Sierra can take the regular, mid-grade, and premium kinds of gas. It all depends on the type and specification of the engine.
Does GMC Sierra Use Gas?
Yes, the GMC Sierra uses gasoline to run its engines.
What Kind of Gas Does a GMC Sierra Take?
Just to have a little overview of what kinds of gas can be used, read through the following statement.
For all of the generations of the GMC Sierra, there are some engines that need regular unleaded gas containing 87 of octane and there are those that require an octane rating of 91 or higher.
The GMC Sierra has some engines that can run E85 also. All trim levels of the GMC Sierra can run on 87 not including the 6.2L variant that needs to run on 93.
This is just a brief overview, for more details go through the next paragraphs. For the GMC Sierra, there are four (4) generations. Each of them has different engine options and fuel requirements.
First Generation (1999 – 2006)
For the first generation, you might hear a slight ping or knock when you accelerate or when you go uphill, it is nothing to be concerned about. However, if it is a very loud sound, you will need to service your engine.
- The 4.3L V6 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas
- The 4.8L V8 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas
- The 5.3L V8 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas
- The 6.0L V8 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas
- The 6.6L V8 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas
- The 8.10L V8 engine requires the regular 87 octane gas.
Second Generation (2007 – 2013)
The second generation of GMC Sierra vehicles was manufactured with engines that support flex-fuel.
- The 4.3 Liter V6 engine prefers 91 or higher fuel but can use 87 rated fuel
- The 4.8 Liter V8 engine prefers 91 or higher fuel but can use 87 rated fuel
- The 5.3 Liter V8 engine requires mid-grade 91 fuel or a higher octane-rated gasoline
- The 6.0 Liter V8 engine requires mid-grade 91 fuel or higher octane-rated gasoline
- The 6.2 Liter V8 engine requires mid-grade 91 fuel or higher octane-rated gasoline
Third Generation (2015 – 2018)
- The 4.3 Liter V6 engine prefers 91 or higher fuel but can use 87 rated fuel
- The 5.3 Liter V8 engine prefers mid-grade 91 or higher octane-rated gasoline but can use 87 rated fuel
- The 6.0 Liter V8 engine requires mid-grade 91 gasoline or a higher octane-rated gasoline
- The 6.2 Liter V8 engine requires premium with 93 rated octane.
Fourth Generation (2019 – Present)
This is the latest and most in-demand generation of GMC Sierra vehicles.
- The 2.7 Liter inline-4 engine requires regular 87 octanes (pump gas) or higher gasoline
- The 4.3 Liter V6 engine requires regular 87 octanes (pump gas) or higher gasoline
- The 5.3 Liter V8 engine requires regular 87 octanes (pump gas) or higher gasoline
- The 6.2 Liter V8 engine requires premium with 93 rated octane.
There you have it, that is the complete breakdown of fuel requirements for GMC Sierra engines. There are some types of gasoline that can be used in a GMC Sierra and some types that cannot be used.
GMC itself recommends the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is the additive to be used.
A lot of additives exist in the market but not all are advised to be used in the GMC Sierra. It is advised to use 87 or higher octane-rated gasoline in a GMC Sierra except for the 6.2 Liter that requires a premium 93 octane-rated gasoline.
Must I Use Premium Gas for a GMC Sierra?
No, you do not have to use premium gas for your GMC Sierra except it is expressly stated in the manual that premium gas should ONLY be used.
General Motors has recommended that you use 93 rated octane gasoline for its high-class 6.2 Liter V8 trucks.
The manual in the car however states that gasoline as low as 87 can still be used for the engines. But that will come with a disadvantage; the maximum performance will be reduced and fuel economy.
To achieve maximum performance and fuel economy, you need to use 93 octane gasoline.
What happens when you use non-premium gas in your premium vehicle? Every car driver should know that fuel comes in three grades. The regular, mid-grade, and premium.
If it was stated by your vehicle’s manufacturer that it needs premium fuel, what it means is that it requires a higher octane to reach maximum performance.
If you use non-premium gas in your premium vehicle, you stand the risk of damaging your fuel tank and spending more in the long run.
There are many other consequences of using non-premium gas in your premium vehicle such as: knocking or pinging of the engine (comes in a woodpecker sound under the bonnet), long-term damage to parts of the engine, and avoiding of your vehicle’s warranty.
These are consequences I’m very sure you do not want to go through. You need to enjoy the value of purchasing your GMC Sierra and other vehicles. For your warranty to remain valid, you need to use the specified octane level anytime you are refueling.
All this talk about octane, what is octane?? Octane measures fuel stability. An octane rating is based on the pressure at which a particular fuel will combust spontaneously in an engine. The higher an octane rating, the more stable the fuel will be.
Vehicles that require a high octane-rated fuel such as 93, can be damaged by lower-grade fuels. If the octane level is only a recommendation and not a requirement, you can use any of the high octane-rated fuels. But what is standard is that the performance will increase with the higher octane-rated fuel.
You will know which rating is good for your vehicle by listening to the engine. If you hear a knocking when you use a low octane-rated fuel, it means you should use a higher octane-rated fuel next time.
It is not ideal for you to disregard the advice of the manufacturers by not using the recommended gas. You will get a reduced performance of the engine and your engine may knock also.
Remember, after filling your tank with the gas, you are expected to tighten your gas cap very well to avoid seeing the check engine warning light on your dashboard.
Does 2022 5.3 Require Premium Fuel?
The 2020 5.3 Liter V8 engine requires regular 87 octanes (pump gas) or higher gasoline. It is not mandatory that you use premium 93 rated fuel in this car although you can.
Does GMC 2.7 Turbo Require Premium Fuel?
The GMC 2.7 Liter Turbo engine requires premium 93 octanes or higher gasoline. If you use fuel with lower octanes, you risk causing a knock to the engine and reducing its performance of the engine.
Conclusion
If your vehicle owner’s manual says you should use premium fuel, you can be sure that it is what it needed for maximum performance of the vehicle’s engine. Using premium gas helps your vehicle achieve better fuel economy even though it is more expensive.