18-039-20

NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:
18-039-20
18 - Vehicle Performance
April 21, 2020
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of FCA US LLC.
SUBJECT:
Possible Driveability Issues due to the Winter-Blend Fuel into the Warmer Season
MODELS:
2010 - Current
(All)
All FCA Group (Gasoline) Vehicles
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: North
America.
DISCUSSION:
As a result of actions due to the coronavirus (Covid -19) and the subsequent reduced economic
activity, fuel consumption has been significantly reduced. The fuel distribution system is dependent
on high throughput to transition from higher vapor pressure winter fuels to lower vapor pressure
fuels for the summertime EPA regulated ozone season.
In response, EPA has enacted waivers of seasonal fuel requirements. For more details, please
reference the EPA website. epa.gov/enforcement/nationwide-fuel-waiver-concerning-summergasoline.
This could result in more volatile/ higher vapor pressure fuel in the retail fuel system longer than
what is normally permitted by the EPA or States. Customer issues related to higher volatile fuel
combined with warmer ambient temperatures are possible, and standard diagnostic procedures may
not lead to a root cause.
Potential issues could include vehicle refueling concerns, stalling, driveability issues, Diagnostic
Trouble Codes (DTCs), increased evaporative emissions and fuel odor. Issues are most likely
to occur in warm temperatures within 1-3 days of refueling.
POLICY:
Information Only