Can a car that has been using 92-octane gasoline switch to 95-octane gasoline?
3 Answers
A car that has been using 92-octane gasoline can occasionally fill up with 95-octane gasoline, but it should not be used long-term. There are two consequences of using fuel that does not match the engine's requirements: 1. Using low-octane gasoline in a high-compression engine can lead to reduced engine power output and damage to engine components. 2. Using high-octane gasoline in a low-compression engine can cause incomplete combustion and also damage engine components. Additional information: The rules for selecting gasoline octane ratings are: 1. For compression ratios between 7.5-8.0, use 90-93 octane gasoline. 2. For compression ratios between 8.0-8.5, use 90-93 octane gasoline. 3. For compression ratios between 8.5-9.0, use 93-95 octane gasoline. 4. For compression ratios between 9.5-10.0, use 95-97 octane gasoline.
Sure, no problem. I've been driving for over a decade and used to mix fuel grades in my old car all the time. The main difference between 92 and 95 octane is the anti-knock performance, with 95 having a higher octane rating. If your car's engine has a low compression ratio, there's really no need to use 95 octane since it costs a few cents more per liter. But it won't harm your engine either - once during a long trip when I couldn't find 92 octane, I filled up with 95 and it ran just fine. Just calculate the cost if you switch to 95 long-term - spending 20-30 yuan more per tank adds up to a new tire over a year. New turbocharged cars might be more sensitive to fuel quality, but regular naturally aspirated engines really don't care. The key is never use fuel with a lower octane rating than your manual specifies.
This is a fairly common issue at repair shops. It's completely fine to use 95-octane gasoline in a car designed for 92-octane – the engine won't develop problems. However, to be honest, expecting any noticeable power increase is unrealistic. I've tested several vehicles, and the fuel consumption difference is only about 0.1 liters. What you should be cautious about is frequently switching fuel grades. Components like the throttle position sensor adapt to certain fuel types, and sudden changes might force the ECU to relearn fuel injection parameters. Economically speaking: at current fuel prices, you'd spend an extra 400 yuan per 10,000 km. It's harmless for emergency use once or twice, but I don't think it's worth long-term use. Just check the spark plug combustion condition during regular maintenance.
