So, today I took my 8 out for what is likely to be the last lengthy outing of the year as I plan on storing it for the winter in the next week. I filled up my tank, away I went and lo and behold for the once and only time this year, the CEL light pops up. Drives as usual, no loss of power, nothing. I turned it and off a few times, the CEL stayed on. After I get back, I added more gas and lo and behold, the CEL doesnt turn on anymore.

So I am thinking the first batch of gas I added may have been impure (91 octane premium, from a Husky gas station in Canada). Is it possible that bad gas could cause the CEL to be triggered? Or should I investigate it further? I turned the car on and off a few times, and the CEL is staying off for now, so I dont know if i could get a reading anyways.

Thanks again in advance for the helpful tips!

 

Possible, but since we don't know what the code was......hard to tell.
I'll bet it was the loose gas cap CEL and when you refilled, you tighten it better. Usually 4-5 clicks is the amount it should be tightened.......that's more likely what it was.

 

Yeah, thats another possibility I was thinking about, but I always make sure I tighten it 3 or 4 clicks. I dunno.

I researched Husky's gas and found it contains 10% ethanol. I had used Husky's gas before, but never filled it up completely from almost empty. So maybe the ethanol content could be a factor.

 

I run shell 93, but it contains up to 10% ethanol and never any issue.
It could have been dirty gas, but it really shouldn't have triggered any CEL even if you went all the way down to 87. I wouldn't worry about it too much, just try to stay with a major brand and 91 should be fine.

 

the ecu will store the code. If you could get it read, that would solve some of the mystery.

 

Unless the gas is bad enough to cause an issue (such as a misfire)... It is incredibly unlikely. And no, the 10% ethanol isn't an issue, either.

My money is on Mazurfer's theory about the not quite completely sealed gas cap. As has already been said, get the code, and the mystery will be solved.

 

I got a crank (eccentric shaft) angle sensor error, when my car was acting up.