Can I add 95 gasoline when there is still 92 in the car?
4 Answers
Yes, you can. Here is an introduction about gasoline: Gasoline octane rating: The higher the octane rating of gasoline, the stronger its anti-knock performance, which has nothing to do with the quality of the fuel. Gasoline and air mix and compress in the cylinder. If the pressure is too high, detonation may occur, causing the engine to malfunction. In fuel, the substance that resists knocking is isooctane. Gasoline anti-knock performance: The higher the octane rating, the higher the isooctane content and the stronger the anti-knock performance. Therefore, whether it is 92 or 95 gasoline, the only difference is the content of isooctane in the gasoline. There is no difference in gasoline quality or the calorific value per unit volume of fuel.
My car has been using 92-octane fuel for years, and occasionally I top it up with 95-octane when the tank is half full, with no issues at all. The octane rating primarily affects anti-knock performance. Both 92 and 95 share the same base composition, so mixing them won’t harm the engine. In fact, higher-octane fuel can reduce the risk of knocking, which is especially beneficial for turbocharged engines. Don’t overthink the remaining fuel level when refueling—just fill up as needed. However, mixing fuels doesn’t noticeably change fuel consumption. If your car is designed for 92-octane, there’s no need to consistently use 95-octane—it’s a waste of money and doesn’t leverage the higher octane’s advantages. If a gas station runs out of 92-octane, temporarily switching to 95 is a perfectly viable emergency solution.
A few days ago, there were still three bars of 92-octane fuel in the tank, and I directly added 200 yuan worth of 95-octane gasoline. It feels like the throttle response is slightly more responsive, but the engine still runs smoothly. Mixing these two types of gasoline is completely safe, as refinery pipelines are shared anyway. The higher octane rating of 95-octane fuel better suppresses knocking during rapid acceleration, which is especially beneficial for older cars. It's important to note that mixing fuels shouldn't be a long-term solution—using 95-octane in a car recommended for 92-octane by the manufacturer is purely wasteful. However, in special situations, such as long-distance road trips where 92-octane stations are unavailable, mixing fuels is far better than running out of gas and breaking down.
Mixing 92 and 95 octane gasoline in the fuel tank is completely feasible. The gasoline grade only represents the difference in anti-knock capability, with essentially the same chemical composition. I've tested the fuel consumption after mixing, and it basically remains at the usual level. However, don't expect a performance boost after mixing; a car designed for 92 octane won't suddenly gain horsepower by using 95. It's recommended to stick to your original refueling habits, but mixing occasionally under special circumstances is fine. However, diesel and gasoline must never be mixed, as this can directly damage the engine. Remember to refuel promptly when the fuel light comes on to avoid overheating the fuel pump from running dry.
