8th Generation Accord: Should I Use 92 or 95 Octane Gasoline?
3 Answers
The 8th generation Accord can use 92 octane gasoline. This octane rating is officially recommended in the vehicle's user manual. In addition to checking the appropriate gasoline octane in the user manual, the recommended octane rating is also indicated on the fuel tank cap. You can usually determine the suitable gasoline grade based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane. If the compression ratio is even higher, 98 octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the required gasoline grade. Engines with high compression ratios can also be tuned to use lower-octane gasoline due to factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane rating, the higher the octane number and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If you occasionally use the wrong gasoline octane in the 8th generation Accord, simply switch back to the correct octane after consumption. However, prolonged use of the wrong octane may have the following effects: For vehicles designed for lower octane, using higher-octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increased octane number may alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. For vehicles designed for higher octane, using lower-octane gasoline may cause engine knocking. Since the octane number is significantly lower, the fuel may ignite prematurely during the compression stroke before the spark plug fires. This premature ignition creates resistance during the upward stroke, causing unstable engine operation. Mild knocking may only increase noise without noticeable engine damage, but severe knocking indicates serious engine issues, affecting driving stability and causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to cylinder scoring.
I've driven an eighth-generation Accord for ten years and found that 92-octane gasoline is completely sufficient, no need to spend extra on 95-octane. The manual states that 92-octane or above is recommended, and the engine was designed to be compatible with lower-octane fuels. 92-octane is cheaper, saving a couple of yuan per liter, and the overall fuel consumption is similar. 95-octane has a slightly higher octane rating, which might make the engine quieter on highways, but there's no difference in city driving. Regular maintenance and oil changes are more important. Long-term use of 92-octane is fine unless you frequently haul heavy loads or drive aggressively on mountain roads. Just remember to choose reputable gas stations to ensure fuel quality—don't compromise by using substandard fuel.
As a commuter using an Accord for work, I insist on using 92-octane gasoline to save money and hassle. 92-octane is economical, and the engine still runs smoothly without any noticeable power loss or abnormal noises. 95-octane is significantly more expensive, costing dozens more per tank, so I'd rather save that money for meals or car maintenance. The Accord's engine is robust, and 92-octane meets daily needs just fine, with no worries about knocking or carbon buildup. However, it's important to regularly check the air filter and spark plugs and keep the fuel system clean to ensure reliability for a decade.
