BYD Song Max: Should I Use 92 or 95 Octane?
3 Answers
BYD Song Max is recommended to use 92 or higher octane unleaded gasoline. Unleaded Gasoline: Unleaded gasoline contains only trace amounts of lead derived from crude oil, typically one-hundredth of a gram per liter. Its octane rating of 95 is slightly lower than other existing grades of leaded gasoline. Using unleaded gasoline can effectively control harmful substances in vehicle exhaust, reducing pollution such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. Precautions: Despite being lead-free, unleaded gasoline may still emit three major substances during combustion: gaseous particles and condensates, which still pose health risks. Among these, the gases are primarily composed of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides. The particulate matter, with polymerized carbon particles as the core, appears in a powdery form and can remain suspended in the air for extended periods, making it easily inhalable by humans.
I've noticed many BYD Song MAX owners online asking whether to use 92 or 95 octane fuel. As a daily user, I think 92 octane is perfectly fine—it saves money without affecting driving performance. The manufacturer recommends 92 octane or higher, meaning 92 is completely adequate as the engine was designed with knock resistance in mind. 95 octane costs over 1 yuan more per liter with negligible differences in power or engine sound, but puts more pressure on your wallet. After two years of using 92 octane exclusively, my fuel consumption remains stable at around 8L/100km with the car in perfect condition. While you might notice slightly smoother RPM during long-distance drives with 95 octane, there's no noticeable difference for city commuting. My advice: stick with 92 octane for daily use and simply check the fuel system during regular maintenance—no need to waste that extra money.
As a car enthusiast, I've pondered this issue. The BYD Song MAX has a relatively low engine compression ratio, making 92-octane gasoline perfectly suitable—lower octane won't cause problems. While 95-octane offers better anti-knock properties and theoretically reduces vibration under high load, real-world test drives show minimal difference, especially in city driving. Data indicates fuel consumption between 92 and 95 is nearly identical, averaging less than 0.5L/100km difference, but the price gap makes 92 more economical. I recommend following the manual and sticking with 92-octane. For frequent full-load or highway driving, occasional 95-octane is fine to try, but don’t make it a habit. Maintenance-wise, 92-octane provides adequate cleaning—no need for premium fuel.
