Can the Volkswagen T-Roc use 92 octane gasoline?
2 Answers
No. The manufacturer of the T-Roc specifies the use of 95 octane (or 97 octane) gasoline. Below are the differences between 92 and 95 octane gasoline: 1. In terms of additives and anti-knock properties. 92 octane gasoline has insufficient anti-knock properties, which may lead to issues such as increased fuel consumption, carbon deposits, and even problems like cylinder scoring or knocking, potentially reducing the engine's lifespan. 2. The proportions of heptane and isooctane differ. 92 octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% heptane, while 95 octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% heptane. Additional information: The octane rating represents the anti-knock property of gasoline. A higher number indicates better anti-knock capability, which is unrelated to the quality of the gasoline itself. It does not mean that higher octane gasoline has fewer impurities.
I've researched the fuel octane rating issue for the Volkswagen T-Roc, and it generally doesn't recommend using 92 octane fuel. Because the engine is turbocharged, it was optimized during design for high-octane gasoline like 95 octane. 92 octane has a lower rating, and using it can easily cause knocking, which is abnormal ignition inside the engine during acceleration, leading to weaker power or increased noise. Occasionally using it short-term might allow the ECU to adapt and adjust timing without affecting driving, but long-term use can accelerate wear, increase fuel consumption, and even damage spark plugs. Therefore, the safest approach is to follow the manual and use 95 octane fuel. I've driven a similar car and tried 92 octane—acceleration was noticeably sluggish. I quickly switched back to higher-octane fuel, and performance returned to normal—a lesson learned. In short, for the car's sake, I don’t recommend using 92 octane. If used occasionally in an emergency, switch back as soon as possible.
