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, you can also find it marked on the fuel tank cap. Generally, 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 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 some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower octane gasoline 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 Magotan 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 to use lower octane gasoline, using higher 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. For vehicles recommended to use higher octane gasoline, using lower octane gasoline can cause engine knocking. Due to the significantly lower octane value, the gasoline's ignition point decreases, causing it to ignite prematurely 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 makes the engine run very unstably. If it's mild knocking, it only increases noise without obvious damage to the engine. 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 for many years and have been using my family's Magotan for almost five years. Fueling is not something to be taken lightly - the manual clearly states to use 95 octane gasoline. While 92 octane is cheaper, using it can easily cause engine knocking (that popping sound), which damages the engine over time. I once tried using 92 when 95 wasn't available - the car felt sluggish and fuel consumption increased, ultimately costing more instead of saving. Modern models like the Magotan with turbochargers have precisely tuned engines; lower-grade fuel leads to incomplete combustion, increasing carbon deposits that affect emissions and power. From my experience, long-term use of 92 octane may trigger the check engine light, with repair costs far exceeding any fuel savings. I recommend sticking with 95 octane to protect your car's performance and drive with peace of mind.
