Does Using 95 Octane Gasoline in a Car Rated for 92 Octane Have Any Impact?
2 Answers
Using 95 octane gasoline in a car rated for 92 octane has the following impacts: 1. It can damage the engine, spark plugs, and the vehicle's ignition system; 2. It may shorten the engine's lifespan. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable hydrocarbon mixture liquid derived from the distillation, cracking, or pyrolysis of petroleum, used as fuel. It is classified by its octane rating into 89, 90, 92, 93, and 95 octane. The reasons for a gasoline smell inside the car include: 1. Overfilling the gas tank; 2. Leakage in the fuel pump; 3. Aging of rubber gasoline lines; 4. Incomplete combustion during cold starts; 5. Residuals not cleaned during fuel pump replacement; 6. Aging or uneven gasket in the fuel tank cap; 7. Dirty fuel injectors and throttle body.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years and have encountered this situation quite a few times. Occasionally filling a car designed for 92 octane with 95 octane isn't a big deal—it's just harder on the wallet since 95 costs several cents more per liter. Car manufacturers calibrate the engine for 92 octane, and the onboard computer can automatically adjust ignition timing, so there won't be any malfunctions. However, the reverse can cause issues. For example, if a car that requires 95 octane is filled with 92, the engine is prone to knocking, and over time, even the piston rings could get damaged. My advice is to follow the fuel grade marked on the fuel filler cap—it's the most reliable. Don't fall for claims that higher octane fuel is cleaner; that's just gas stations trying to upsell. Remember, long-term mixing of fuel grades can actually lead to carbon buildup, which is no good for the engine.
