1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

Right Gasoline
The LaSalle V-8 engine provides all the benefits of
modern, high-compression design, yet it can be adjusted
readily to use almost any grade of gasoline. As adjusted at
the factory, it will perform satisfactorily with 70-octane
fuel, which is the rating of the so-called "regular" grade of
gasoline marketed by most refiners in the United States.
Some car owners may prefer to use premium grades, of
which "Ethyl" gasoline is the best known. These fuels have
octane ratings well above 70 and, if used with an advanced
spark setting, will permit the engine to develop more power.
Fuels with octane ratings of less than 70 will usually cause
the engine to "knock" or "ping" unless the spark is retarded.
Ignition timing and "ping" are explained on page 46.
The most important thing is to buy your fuel from a
reputable company in order to insure uniform quality and
freedom from impurities that might clog the strainers or
cause harmful chemical action in the engine. Your Authorized
Cadillac-LaSalle Service Station can advise you regarding
the most suitable grades of gasoline available locally, or
adjust your engine for the grade of fuel you prefer to use.
The gasoline tank capacity is 22 gallons.
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