Can the Magotan use 92 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
According to the official vehicle manual recommendation, the Magotan should use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, the Magotan's fuel cap also indicates the recommended octane rating. Typically, the engine's compression ratio can also determine the appropriate gasoline grade. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92 octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95 octane gasoline. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone cannot determine the gasoline grade. High compression ratio engines can still be tuned to use lower octane gasoline because, besides 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 rating, the higher the octane number 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 Magotan occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, prolonged use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower octane gasoline, using higher octane gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This results in reduced engine power and thermal efficiency, manifesting as poorer performance. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane number, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug ignites, resistance will arise during the upward stroke. This resistance makes the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is imperceptible, it only increases noise without obvious engine damage. However, noticeable knocking indicates severe engine conditions, affecting not only driving stability but also causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, and in severe cases, cylinder scoring.
I've been driving my Magotan for almost two years now, and I always fill it with 95-octane gasoline. It feels powerful and quiet. German cars like the Magotan have precise engines with high compression ratios, so the manufacturer recommends using 95-octane or higher. This ensures complete combustion and better fuel efficiency. While 92-octane is cheaper, it can cause knocking—when you step on the gas, the engine might shake. Over time, this leads to faster wear on parts and could even clog the fuel injectors. Once, when I was on a business trip and couldn't find 95-octane, I reluctantly filled half a tank with 92. The fuel consumption shot up, and I ended up spending money to clean the system afterward. In short, don't risk saving a few bucks. Using 92-octane long-term is definitely not worth it—at best, you'll waste money on fuel, and at worst, you could damage the engine. Nowadays, switching fuel grades is easy, so it's safer to just follow the manual.
