Can National V and National VI gasoline be mixed for use?
3 Answers
National V and National VI gasoline cannot be mixed for use. Car owners can naturally transition between them, but when selecting fuel, it is necessary to choose according to the engine's compression ratio and refer to the recommendations in the user manual for fuel addition. Gasoline is a volatile and flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid obtained from petroleum through fractionation, cracking, or pyrolysis, and it can be used as fuel. The important characteristics of gasoline include volatility, stability, anti-knock properties, corrosiveness, and cleanliness. It is one of the most widely used light petroleum products and an important fuel for engines. In China, automotive gasoline comes in two types: leaded and unleaded, with their grades classified according to the Research Octane Number (RON). The number in the gasoline grade represents the octane rating.
I think mixing National 5 and National 6 gasoline generally isn't a big issue, especially in emergencies like running out of fuel on the road—topping up a National 6-compliant car with a can of National 5 fuel should be fine. The main advantage of National 6 gasoline is its lower sulfur content, which makes it more environmentally friendly and reduces atmospheric pollution emissions. National 5 fuel has more impurities, and long-term mixing might affect engine carbon buildup or catalytic converter lifespan, but I've seen many car owners occasionally do this without major problems. The key is whether your vehicle's design is compatible with the new standard—most modern cars can handle short-term mixing, so there's no need to worry about engine damage or similar issues. Of course, if you consistently use mixed fuels, fuel consumption may increase slightly, and the savings won't be significant. It's still advisable to prioritize National 6 gasoline—it's smarter for both the environment and your vehicle. Before heading out, check the gas station signs, as some smaller locations still sell National 5 fuel.
As an average car owner, I've occasionally mixed gasoline grades, like putting China 5 fuel in a China 6 car or vice versa, without noticing any issues. The main difference between fuel standards lies in emission requirements, with China 6 being more environmentally friendly. After mixing, there's no change in engine noise or acceleration performance, nor does it cause stalling or trigger warning lights. However, veteran drivers mention that long-term mixing might lead to slight fuel system clogging, which could be costly and troublesome to clean. If you've just bought a China 6 compliant vehicle, using China 5 fuel occasionally is acceptable but shouldn't become a habit, as the newer standard fuel is cleaner. Mixing fuels is safe when gas stations are scarce during business trips—no need to overthink it. Crunching the numbers reveals minimal savings from mixing grades, plus you might end up needing more frequent maintenance and filter replacements.
