Can the New Magotan Use 92 Octane Gasoline?
2 Answers
The New Magotan cannot use 92 octane gasoline. According to the official vehicle manual, the New Magotan is recommended to use 95 octane gasoline. In addition to checking the suitable gasoline grade in the vehicle manual, you can also find it on the fuel tank cap, which will also be indicated. Usually, 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 use of some new technologies, the gasoline grade cannot be solely determined by the compression ratio. A high compression ratio can also be adjusted to use lower-grade 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 grade, 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 New Magotan occasionally uses the wrong gasoline grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after use. However, long-term use of the wrong gasoline grade can have the following effects: For vehicles recommended to use lower-grade gasoline, using higher-grade gasoline will not cause damage, but the increase in octane number will change 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-grade gasoline, using lower-grade gasoline can cause engine knocking. Because the octane number is too low, the gasoline's ignition point decreases and it may ignite prematurely during the compression stroke. If the fuel ignites before the spark plug fires during the compression stroke, resistance will occur during the upward stroke. This resistance will make the engine run very unstably. If the knocking is mild, it will only increase noise without obvious damage to the engine. However, if the knocking is severe, it indicates that the engine's condition is very serious. The vibration not only affects driving stability but can also cause abnormal wear on the piston and cylinder, and in severe cases, even cylinder scoring.
Last time I drove my friend's new Magotan to refuel, I specifically checked the manual. Volkswagen officially recommends using gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or higher for this car. The turbocharged engine has a high compression ratio, and 92-octane gasoline's anti-knock performance may not be sufficient, potentially causing knocking and triggering the engine light. Using 92-octane in an emergency for a short period is acceptable, but don't use it long-term, as it can lead to excessive carbon deposits and damage the engine. There's also an octane rating reminder sticker on the back of the fuel filler cap. Following the manufacturer's requirements is the safest approach—after all, repairing the engine once could cost as much as several years' worth of 95-octane fuel.
