Can I continue driving after filling up with substandard 92 gasoline?
2 Answers
If the engine runs smoothly after filling up with substandard 92 gasoline, you can continue driving, but avoid using substandard fuel in the future. If you're not entirely confident, you may choose to replace the fuel filter or add a fuel additive with cleaning properties for maintenance. If the engine starts knocking, it's necessary to take it to a repair shop for an engine inspection and fuel system cleaning. Hazards of using substandard gasoline: Clogging the fuel system: Substandard gasoline contains excessive impurities, especially harmful to fuel injectors, as their small nozzles can get blocked, leading to poor fuel supply; Engine carbon buildup: Impurities in gasoline usually exist in a colloidal form and can accumulate in the intake valves, intake manifold, and cylinders even after passing through the filtration system.
Using substandard 92-octane gasoline is indeed a headache, and it's best not to continue driving. Poor-quality fuel may contain excessive impurities or insufficient octane, causing severe engine knocking—premature ignition that makes the car shake and lose power. Last time I encountered a similar situation, forcing the car to run could damage piston rings and spark plugs, leading to more expensive repairs and delays. Safety comes first. If you've filled up with substandard fuel, pull over and don't push it. Call a tow truck as soon as possible to take the car to a repair shop for tank draining or additive dilution. This can also prevent catalytic converter clogging. I always remind myself to refuel only at reputable stations. 92-octane is more suitable for vehicles with a compression ratio below 10—don't fall for cheap deals.
