Does 98 Octane Gasoline Have Cleaning Function?
2 Answers
Using 98 octane gasoline does not provide cleaning effects. The reasons are: 1. Function of 98 octane gasoline: 98 octane gasoline refers to fuel with an octane rating equivalent to a mixture of 98% isooctane and 2% n-heptane. This gasoline has strong anti-knock properties and high combustion value, making it suitable for high-compression engines to deliver enhanced power. However, carbon deposits are caused by incomplete combustion and are not directly related to gasoline octane ratings, so using 98 octane gasoline cannot clean carbon deposits. 2. Carbon deposit removal: Currently, the most effective and cost-efficient methods for removing carbon deposits are high-quality fuel additives or carbon cleaning agents from major brands.
I've been driving for over a decade and often heard fellow car enthusiasts say that 98-octane gasoline has strong cleaning properties, so I deliberately used it for a while to test it out. In fact, the gasoline grade mainly reflects the difference in octane rating, with 98-octane offering better anti-knock performance, making it suitable for high-performance engines. As for cleaning functionality, it does exist, but all standard gasoline contains basic detergents—98-octane simply has additional cleaning additives. When I used 98-octane in my older car on the highway, the throttle did feel noticeably smoother, but switching back to 95-octane didn't result in any noticeable increase in carbon buildup. A gas station attendant told me that 98-octane has about 20% higher concentration of cleaning agents, which can reduce fuel injector clogging, but for daily driving, it's unnecessary to insist on it—just follow the manufacturer's recommended grade. The key is to regularly use fuel system cleaners to remove carbon deposits, which is more practical. Using higher-grade gasoline can only be considered as supplementary maintenance.
