Can Turbocharged Cars Use 92 Octane Gasoline?
2 Answers
Turbocharged cars can use 92 octane gasoline, but the appropriate gasoline grade is not determined by the vehicle's class. The manufacturer specifies the required gasoline grade before the car leaves the factory. The gasoline grade to be used depends on the engine's compression ratio. Generally, engines with high compression ratios require higher-grade gasoline. For engines with a compression ratio of 10:1 or higher, it is recommended to use gasoline with an octane rating of 95 or above. The main difference between 92 and 95 octane gasoline lies in their anti-knock properties. 95 octane gasoline has better anti-knock properties than 92 octane, and the stronger the anti-knock properties, the greater the engine's ignition advance angle can be, resulting in better performance.
My turbocharged car has been running for over four years now. When I first bought it, the salesperson specifically told me to use 95-octane fuel. The owner’s manual also clearly states that 95-octane is the minimum requirement—turbocharged engines have higher compression ratios, and 92-octane fuel has poor anti-knock properties, which can easily cause engine knocking. Once, at a highway rest stop, I couldn’t find 95-octane fuel and reluctantly filled half a tank with 92-octane. Immediately, the engine sounded off, like metal knocking, so I rushed to the next service station to refill with 95-octane, and it went back to normal. Now, I never take chances when refueling—I always double-check the fuel grade at the pump. After all, engine repairs cost a fortune, and saving a few bucks on fuel isn’t worth the risk.
