Can the BMW X1 use 92 octane gasoline?

[VanTessa]

According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the BMW X1 should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it marked on the fuel tank cap of the BMW X1. Typically, the gasoline grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with an engine compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should choose 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should opt for 95 octane gasoline. However, with the application of some new technologies nowadays, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower octane gasoline. This is because, apart from the compression ratio, other factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology also play a role. Generally, the higher the gasoline octane number, the higher the octane value and the better the anti-knock performance. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the BMW X1 occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended for low octane gasoline, using high octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane value will alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This means both the engine's power output and thermal efficiency will decrease, resulting in poorer performance as experienced by the driver. For vehicles recommended for high octane gasoline, using low octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane value, the reduced ignition point of the gasoline may cause premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites during the compression stroke, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance can make the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it may only increase noise without obvious damage to the engine. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear to pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.