Can Sinopec and PetroChina gasoline be mixed?
3 Answers
Sinopec and PetroChina gasoline should not be mixed, as prolonged mixing can be harmful to the engine, so it is advised not to mix them. The differences between Sinopec and PetroChina: 1. Different crude oil sources: Most of Sinopec's crude oil is imported; PetroChina's crude oil is primarily domestically produced. 2. Different densities: Sinopec's gasoline density is approximately 0.76 ±0.01; PetroChina's gasoline density ranges between 0.72 and 0.73. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid obtained from petroleum through distillation or cracking processes, used as fuel with high octane ratings (anti-knock combustion performance).
As a veteran driver who frequently takes long trips, I've mixed Sinopec and PetroChina gas quite a few times. As long as they're the same octane rating like 92 or 95, occasional emergency mixing is completely fine - the engine won't even shudder. However, I wouldn't recommend long-term mixing of different brands. The two companies have significant differences in crude oil sources and additive formulations. For instance, Sinopec uses more imported crude with detergent formulas focused on carbon deposit cleaning, while PetroChina uses higher proportions of domestic crude with additives emphasizing rust prevention. Constant 'fighting' in your fuel tank definitely puts extra strain on precision fuel injectors. If you must mix, stick to same-octane fuel from authorized gas stations - just avoid those shady roadside pumps.
Last time on the highway when I was almost out of fuel, I had to stop at a Sinopec station, though I usually fill up at PetroChina. The mechanic told me that as long as the gasoline octane rating is the same, the chemical differences between the two fuels are actually within the engine's tolerance range. The core reason is that the basic gasoline standards are unified nationwide, with additive content accounting for less than one-thousandth. I specifically observed for half a month afterward, and there was indeed no noticeable change in fuel consumption or power. However, when mixing fuels, be careful to avoid areas with ethanol-blended gasoline. For example, mixing E10 ethanol gasoline in some northern provinces with regular gasoline may cause water separation, which is more harmful to the car than brand differences.
