Can a car that has been using 92-octane gasoline switch to 95-octane?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to switch a car that has been using 92-octane gasoline to 95-octane. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid derived from petroleum through distillation, cracking, or pyrolysis, and is used as fuel. It has a high octane rating, which is categorized into different grades such as 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 97, and 98 based on octane levels. The characteristics of gasoline include: 1. Volatility; 2. Stability; 3. Anti-knock properties; 4. Corrosiveness; 5. Cleanliness. Gasoline is classified by manufacturing process into: 1. Straight-run gasoline; 2. Thermal cracking gasoline; 3. Catalytic cracking gasoline; 4. Catalytic reforming gasoline; 5. Polymer gasoline; 6. Hydrocracking gasoline; 7. Alkylation gasoline; 8. Synthetic gasoline.
I've always been interested in car fuels and have done quite a bit of research. The octane number represents gasoline's anti-knock performance. 92-octane is lower and suitable for most regular engines, while 95-octane is higher and better suited for high-performance or turbocharged engines. If your car's manual recommends 92-octane, switching to 95-octane usually won't harm the engine and may even reduce some carbon deposits, making combustion cleaner. However, unless you frequently drive on highways or have power demands, spending extra on 95-octane doesn't offer significant benefits, as the performance improvement in actual driving is minimal. I've tried mixing them before and felt little difference in power response, so I'd only recommend trying it if you have a generous budget. The key is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and not blindly follow trends, as using the right fuel is good for engine longevity. In short, switching fuels is fine, but don't expect major changes.
