Can 98 Octane Gasoline Be Mixed with 95 Octane Gasoline?
2 Answers
98 octane gasoline cannot be mixed with 95 octane gasoline. The hazards of mixing them are: 1. Affecting the normal operation of the engine; 2. Causing car noise, lack of power, and engine damage. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid distilled or cracked from petroleum, used as fuel. The characteristics of gasoline are: 1. Volatility: It quickly vaporizes in the engine cylinder and forms a uniform combustible mixture with air; 2. Stability: The ability to resist oxidation under normal temperature and liquid phase conditions is called stability; 3. Anti-knock: Refers to the ability of gasoline to resist detonation combustion under various usage conditions; 4. Corrosiveness: Sulfur compounds in gasoline can cause corrosion to items.
I've also pondered similar questions while driving. Mixing 98 and 95 octane gasoline is generally feasible, but it's best used only as a temporary emergency solution. The vehicle's Engine Control Unit (ECU) can automatically adjust the ignition timing to prevent knocking issues, so the engine won't be immediately damaged after mixing. The averaged octane rating would be around 96.5. If the car manual recommends 95 octane, adding 98 octane would still be stable; however, for performance cars originally intended for 98 octane, you might feel less acceleration or slightly higher fuel consumption after mixing. From my experience, occasionally adding 95 octane to a 98 octane tank is fine, but don't make it a long-term practice to avoid carbon buildup or triggering warning lights. It's advisable to use the fuel grade recommended in the manual for consistency, which is better for the engine. While the idea of saving money is understandable, frequent mixing might actually increase maintenance costs. It's also important to check the fuel quality at local gas stations to ensure it comes from reputable sources and avoid off-brand fuels.
