Can China VI Vehicles Use China V Gasoline?
2 Answers
China VI vehicles can use China V gasoline. The government has taken this into consideration, and both Sinopec and PetroChina have made preparations for fuel upgrades. It is expected that fuel meeting the China VI emission standards will be available before the implementation of the China VI standard. Here is some information about gasoline: 1. Gasoline is produced and sold according to its octane rating, which is specified by national gasoline product standards and varies with different standards. Currently, China IV gasoline has three octane ratings: 90, 93, and 97. China V gasoline has ratings of 89, 92, and 95. 2. Gasoline grades are classified by octane number. For example, 97-octane gasoline refers to a fuel with anti-knock performance equivalent to a mixture of 97% isooctane and 3% n-heptane. The higher the octane number, the better the anti-knock performance. Different octane ratings should be selected based on the engine's compression ratio, as specified in each vehicle's manual. Mid-range cars with a compression ratio between 8.5 and 9.5 should generally use 90-octane China IV gasoline, while cars with a compression ratio above 9.5 should use 93-octane China IV gasoline.
It's generally fine for a China VI-compliant vehicle to occasionally use China V gasoline, but I don't recommend long-term use. Vehicles are usually designed to be compatible with older standard gasoline, so short-term use of China V fuel won't cause immediate issues. For example, slightly higher sulfur content will only temporarily affect emissions without damaging the engine. However, prolonged mixed use may lead to carbon buildup in the emission system due to the higher sulfur content in China V gasoline, particularly affecting the three-way catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. Over time, this could clog fuel injectors, increase exhaust pollutants, and raise fuel consumption. If you only use China V gasoline as an emergency measure in remote areas where China VI fuel is unavailable, remember to add a bottle of fuel cleaner afterward or take a high-speed drive to clean the system. To maintain your vehicle's performance and meet environmental standards, it's best to consistently use China VI gasoline. After all, fuel standard upgrades are implemented to protect both the environment and engine longevity. Pay attention to fuel quality in daily driving to prevent minor issues from accumulating into major repairs.
